C'est la Vie

Day Three & Four Are a Wonderous Blur

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:12:00 -0400

Day Three~

Walking tour, Notre Dame

Gay District for Lunch

School IDs - Everyone’s looked awful and blury

Metro trip to ABS

Home for resting

Group dinner

Drinks- Irish Pub, Live Band, American Songs, Drunk Chiara

Stayed out late so I missed the metro home- crashed with friends.

Day Four~

Woke up in a strange room in a strange bed at 15:00h

Shameless walk/metro ride home in clothes from the night before

Facebooked, Emailed & Skyped

Dinner and drinks with the girls, scoped out the neighborhood bars

More Facebook, Email and Skype

Still very much enjoying each and every day!

Day Two ~ I'm in Love!

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:09:00 -0400

I am in LOVE with this city, it took me all of 24 hours to make the declaration but I am in fact IN LOVE with this city.

The day started with a tutorial on monthly metro passes called NaviGO and my first legitimate usage of the metro system as a card-carrying member. The director of my program and the students in that program and I followed almost to the letter the aimless wanderings of the night before and in daylight explored what we had only seen in darkness.

We walked around Saint Germain browsing store windows and watching the people as they sat at sidewalk cafés eating leisurely. Our feet and our curiosity then took us towards the river, a river that to my knowledge I had never seen with my own eyes but only the eyes of photographers and filmmakers. Standing on a seemingly normal bridge looking over a seemingly normal river I could hardly contain my excitement. For the 10^th or so time since my arrival it hit me like a ton of bricks- I was, in fact, living in Paris. My feet were on Parisian soil and my heart was captured by the charm and energy in the atmosphere.

From the Seine we wandered across the bridge and through the Jardin de Tuileries. Having no idea of this wondrous garden I was in awe of every detail from the colorful flowers and artistically shaped topiaries to the fountains conveniently equipped with seats for lounging and taking in the power of the captured water. Every inch of that garden was new to me and I was in ecstacy.

As we continued our impromptu adventure it hit me for the 15^th time, we were in Paris. This time I stood in a garden and my eyes were now focused on a notable fixture of Parisian landscape, up ahead in the distance was the Arc de Triomphe. My heart skipped a beat and I felt so light I wanted to fly to it. From the Jardin de Tuileries we walked and walked stopping here and there taking photos of beautiful things. I saw a sign alerting us to the near proximity of Avenue des Champs Elysées. All along the Champs Elysées we oohed and awed the buildings, stores, people. Once we finally made it to our intended destination we oogled and took photos with the Arc de Triomphe, I didn’t care how I looked or that I was just one of an immeasurable amount of people who had done the exact same thing, what I was doing was not unique or new but it was an incredible experience unique to me and that moment.

From the Arc de Triomphe it was only a hop skip and a jump to the Eiffel Tower. As we got closer we could see the top peeking above tall buildings and through trees. Again this structure was not new and I had seen it before with my own eyes but that took nothing away from the immense satisfaction I received from staring at it from all angles. Its construction and size and detail floored me, all I could do was try to capture it with my camera so as not to lose the feeling of the moment and to make a memory to then share with friends and loved ones not able to be by my side drinking in the same.

For a few minutes we stayed across the river looking from afar taking and retaking touristy photos destined for facebook. Then as if we had been given permission to approach this regal entity we carefully one foot in front of the other walked over the bridge and stood at its feet. I am tempted to assign this magical creature the gender of female despite its phallic appearance, for her power is majestic and her beauty matched by none. It may have been the amount of people willing to wait in lines for days and the enthusiasm in the air but that hunk of twisted metal had me, standing underneath looking up and through to see the blues and whites of the sky I was for the 20^th time lighter than air and soaking in the energy provided to me. I WAS IN PARIS!

I almost had to detach myself like a toddler being weaned off of mothers milk. I was one step from getting a tent and moving in right away. I would have stayed there for the rest of the day had it not been for the gnawing in my stomach and my insatiable craving for a crepe with nutella. I had been searching for a crepe stand (without a line and an angry Arab screaming on his cell) since our walk through the gardens. We were almost to the metro and I had almost resigned to getting a crepe in our neighborhood when we found a sidewalk café almost as if it had magically appeared. OK, so it didn’t appear it was more like finding a cactus in the dessert rather than water but it was what I wanted and it was in front of me. I bit into that crepe like it was my first and last meal on earth and the heavens did move. We walked no more than 10 feet from the café before we decided to utilize the empty bench in front of us. It wasn’t until I sat on this seemingly ordinary bench that I saw her. She was just as big and beautiful as she had been moments ago but with half a crepe in my hand and the other half already in my belly I felt even more blessed to be in her presence, I felt cared for and loved – yes by a metal sculpture.

By this time we were in the 7th arrondissment, our goal was to find the metro line that would take us back to our neighborhood but as we walked we kept finding small parks and pretty buildings that we imagined ourselves living in, I even found a store that sold shoes with my name in them as the brand.

Right at the top of our metro stop was Carrefour grocery store and oh did we have fun shopping, all while keeping in mind the miniature size of our refrigerator. Everything was so pretty and colorful and new and different AND they had GLUTEN FREE pasta so that sealed the deal for me. I am now intrigued and motivated to learn the names of ingredients so that I can be as picky and particular about the food I nourish myself with on a daily basis, also I think it might make the whole shopping excursion go faster in the future.

We finished off the day with a lovely home cooked meal of gluten free pasta with tomato and goat cheese sauce and a fresh salade of arugula and mixed greens all by yours truly. Our dinner was accompanied by a cheap but decent bottle of cote de Provance rose we had purchased from a local bodega the night before. Once dinner was on the table we opened up the floor to ceiling windows and ate as we stared across the street and into the empty building inventing ways of breaking in all for the purpose of renovating.

After dinner, using a device called eyeTv, entirely new to me, we attempted to watch a French movie called Profs. I didn’t understand a whole lot of it but the physical comedy was enough to make me laugh here and there. I am now moments away from passing out to dream of adventures still to come.

A great adventurous day behind and many more to come.

Day One

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:40:00 -0400

I landed at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport around 11:35am with my life packed into two large suitcases and two carry-ons.

The director of my program met me along with two other students and whisked us away to the city by a fast moving shuttle bus.

My apartment is not what I had expected but it has its perks. It will be a stretch to place all of my clothes into a small closet again but I know I will manage. Sleeping in a twin size IKEA bed however, not sure I will get used to that.

The area is very much like where I lived in the Lower East Side of NYC, its up and coming, so it’s trendy and fun but not touristy or pretentious which is just fine with me. Its also very quiet at night, I feel safe here, it feels like a neighbor hood ought to. I have creperies around almost every corner, there was a great flea market along the main street today (I hope it happens every Sunday), there is a beautiful flower shop close by and the MEN are amazing, my eyes have never taken in so much beauty in one place.

I spent most of my day unwinding and unpacking before heading out for a stroll and some dinner. Stumbled upon the Famous Folies Bergere and had a nice salade, crepe and espresso at the Folies Cafe right across the way. As I sat the foot traffic was minimal being that we were off the main street so when anyone passed it was obvious they were locals. A small boy of about 6 sped around the block countless times past us at a nerve racking speed, his smile only widening due to the wind on his face. Couples rode by on rental bikes the city provides (they even have baskets).

Once dinner was all said and done it was off to meet with the rest of my group. Meeting up with the group meant we had to ride the METRO. My first experience of a Parisian Metro was wonderful. The subway station was clean and bright, we waited no more than 4 minutes before our train arrived. Learning the special ways of this wonderful example of well thought out mass-transit was exciting, never before in all of my NYC subway rides did I have the same experience. Yes the waiting was the same but everything else was different. 1. minimal seating in the small station. 2. doors you have to open for yourself, there is the automatic button and then the manual lever depending on the age of the train. 3. seats nearest the door fold up. 4. cell phones work on the metro. Now these minor things may not seem like a lot but they were magical differences to me. I felt like a kid in a candy store everything was different and yet I had seen it all before in a different color and flavor.

We transferred lines with ease and wound up in a new neighbor hood all together. There was so much excitement from the whole experience that I raced up the steps to street level as if I was flying. From there we met the group and wandered, not aimlessly but that’s how it seemed, crossing here and there winding down streets definitely geared towards tourists, had I not known we were in Paris I might have thought of Bourbon St. in New Orleans.

Of all the places to go in Paris we ended up at an Irish Pub. Nine Americans studying in the most beautiful city that I have ever seen with the intention of learning the native language and we go to a bar where the patrons speak some form of English and the bar tenders are happier practicing their English than anything else.

I had a drink and a celebratory shot with the rest of the students and by then it was time to head back to the metro before 01h-closing time. (difference #5)

Getting home, a bit tipsy, was as easy as it had been on the way there. Climbing the stairs to the second level of my apartment was just a tad more difficult.

A calm but enjoyable first day!

I want to live here. And in my mind here is a small little...

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:31:48 -0400

I want to live here.

And in my mind here is a small little cottage in the French country side.

Marion Cotillard is the most beautiful French woman. I am only...

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:41:00 -0400

Marion Cotillard is the most beautiful French woman.

I am only just a little obsessed with her.

Goal: When in Paris learn to cook and maybe make some friends.

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:15:46 -0400

Goal: When in Paris learn to cook and maybe make some friends.

Photo

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:48:55 -0400

stopandringmybell: What a wonderfully cozy bathroom!

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:35:06 -0400

stopandringmybell:

What a wonderfully cozy bathroom!

Photo

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:02:00 -0400

As I prepare for my departure from LaLa Land

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:01:17 -0400

I have been dragging my feet when it comes to moving. I know I have to go but In a way I almost don’t want to.

Last night my wonderful office threw me a going away party, it was a great night and I felt so honored to be celebrated by the people I have come to regard as my family for the past year.

But the truth is a going away party seems unnecessary due to the fact that I do not know if I am in fact going anywhere.

I do know one thing for sure, my roommate has replaced me and at the end of the month I either fly off to Paris and start a new and challenging life full of newness or I find a new place to live and hope my job is still available to me.

Photo

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:58:00 -0400

Some may say Paris is cold...

but I choose to see the world...

through rose colored glasses

The first of hopefully many gluten free options for me to try out in Paris.

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:17:08 -0400

The first of hopefully many gluten free options for me to try out in Paris.

The French Consulate was less than exciting but I am half way to...

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:24:11 -0400

The French Consulate was less than exciting but I am half way to having my visa for Paris.

Next week things will be finalized.

Yay!

Crossing My Fingers

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:47:00 -0400

My appointment with the French Consulate is in just a few hours.

By mid-day tomorrow I will know if I can get my visa in time for Paris.

Hide-a-ways to check out in Paris ; )

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:14:15 -0400

Hide-a-ways to check out in Paris ; )

Dreaming of Paris this is how I imagine it looks and feels all...

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:19:00 -0400

Dreaming of Paris this is how I imagine it looks and feels all the time.

Except for that pesky day time business of course.

My theme song for Paris!

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:06:00 -0400

My theme song for Paris!

18 Days Till Paris

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:32:01 -0400

Work is taking up most of my time so I have little time to stress and obsess about my move to Paris.

Ahhhhhhh Im moving to Paris in 18 Days!