2 Weeks in Paris!

Garden in Montmarte

Inside the Mosque

Garden near Gare de Lyon

Political protests near the Bastille

IMAX theater in the Villette

Street Art in the Villette

View from Montmarte

Sacre Cour

Oldest Cabaret in Paris

Dalida's former home

Pretty window display in Montmarte

Cafe where "Amelie worked"

Wow, I cannot believe it's only been less than 2 weeks since I arrived in Paris! I feel like I have done and seen so much in the relatively short time that I have been here. But first, a few things from last week. I had been bragging to everyone about L'as du Falafel being Jimi Hendrix's favorite place in the world for falafels. However, I misinformed and it is actually Lenny Kravitz's favorite place. This makes more sense as well, because the area in the Marais where it is has a large Jewish and Gay community within its neighborhoods and Lenny Kravitz as a Jewish man I'm sure has ventured into this part of Paris. Also from last week, a little entertaining tidbit I forgot to include was that on the day I walked myself around Paris for hours getting lost, I had a "gypsy encounter". On the first day of orientation we were warned about "gypsy encounters" where either a child or a typically a woman would try and con you, either by trying to get you to buy a trinket you had believed you lost or by literally stealing something from you. Wouldn't you know that one of my first days there I was approached by a woman with gold plated teeth that spoke to me in very frantic french waving a gold ring around my face. I was caught a bit off guard, but just smiled and repeatedly said, "No Merci" and walked away until she finally left me alone. I felt like a Parisian at this point!

This week was jam packed with my extensive french classes and our daily excursions. We began the week going to Belleville to visit graffiti walls and the Pere-Lachaise, a famous cemetery where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, and Edith Piaf are buried, just to name a few. We also saw the doorstep where Edith Piaf was born into complete destitute. Even though this wasn't one of the more glamorous areas of Paris, it was wonderful to go off the beaten path and explore less touristy areas. The area around the cemetery has many freshly walls lined with graffiti. However, this seemed to be less garish then traditional graffiti with territorial gang symbols and instead was truly street art. It felt as though it was Belleville's equivalent to a museum.

The next day I finally went to the see the Eiffel Tower. I had seen it from afar several times but like a true tourist I wanted to experience it up close and personal. Although I was bombarded by people trying to sell me trinkets and souvenirs and had to wade through millions of summer vacationers taking pictures, I truly was able to appreciate the majestic qualities of a monument so grand and so renowned. Having my picture taken in front of it was truly a "bucket list" moment for me and I was thrilled to be able to go. (A few nights later before a night out, I finally got to see it sparkle. It was absolutely fantastic! I don't think I'd ever be able to get sick of it!)

The next day I went to Montmarte, an area of the 18th Arrondisment of Paris which is home to the Moulin Rouge, several locations where the film "Amelie" was filmed, cobbled streets winding up steep hills reminiscent of San Francisco, and of course the beautiful church, Sacre Cour. Even though the Moulin Rouge was a little kitschy and flanked by seedy strip clubs and erotic museums, it was really enjoyable to go and visit it. I walked right out of the metro and saw the famous windmill and hopped onto a stone median in the road to take a picture. Montmarte is truly extraordinary. It doesn't feel like anything that beautiful or charming can really be real. The cobble stone streets wind up vastly steep hills and crosses through streets covered in piano bars, cafes, and former artists' studios from the Bohemian influence in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century. It is home to Paris' first cabaret and to the home of a famous French singer named Dalida I already feel as though it will be a place that I will frequent often.

I also visited the most prominent Mosque in France, which is the center of Islamic culture in the city. We were given a tour throughout most of the building by a woman who worked in the center. It is a requirement that your shoulders and knees are covered when entering the Mosque and it is intended to be a place of solitude and worship. Many people come to pray up to five times a day and shoes need to be removed when entering certain rooms of prayer. There were beautiful gardens and banquet rooms for dinners of prominent leaders Muslim leaders to meet together. It was interesting to learn a bit about a religion that is so foreign to me, but is so prevalent in the rest of the world.

I also explored the Villette area of Paris this week which is home to a remarkable IMAX theater, museums, and modern art. It also boasts some of the most beautiful "street art" I have ever seen. The use of color and texture these people use is seriously impressive, particularly for the image they are able to produce on an ordinary wall.

I also recently discovered the Tuileries. Wow! This is really the only word I can describe these spectacular gardens right next to the Lourve. We've been experiencing some beautiful, warm weather this past week and lounging in the immaculate gardens is like a dream. People are all doing an array of activities whether is teenagers playing football, older couples lounging in the chairs, toddlers running around playing tag, or people simply reading or sketching in a notebook.

Currently Paris is experiencing a bit of social and political unrest. I have only heard rumblings and need to properly update myself more accurately on the happenings here. On Saturday, at the Bastille, near where I live, there were marches and protests against the French president, Sarkozy who is, from what I understand, trying to keep Paris "pure" with immigration policies. This is only however my rudimentary knowledge of the topic and is basically word of mouth. My goal this week is to do some research on the subject so I have a proper understanding of the matter. I must admit that regardless of what the protest meant to convey, it was riveting to see hundreds upon hundreds of people "storming the bastille". This is apparently a place where the majority of protests take place in Paris due to its political history. Also on Tuesday, there is a planned Metro strike limiting many of my classmates from being able to get to and from school. Tuesday is apparently supposed to be a large protest day around the Bastille as well, so it should be interesting being in the thick of it.

In other Paris news, I am beginning to be mistaken for being a French person which is truly exciting. People will speak to me very quickly in French and I get a complete "deer in the headlights" look on my face and then respond bashfully with with, Je pas parle Francais, which means I don't speak French. ( I should probably start saying "I don't speak French well, yet. ) The other day a woman actually thought I was from Spain and began speaking to me in Spanish instead. I am happy at least this means I'm beginning to blend in a bit more and look a little less lost and touristy. I can order fairly effortlessly at a restaurant and can have very simple conversations. I've also learned that Parisians like exact change, in all of their transactions. If you only have a large bill, it is customary to apologize (Je suis desole). If an apology comes at the beginning they are usually fine with whatever you give them. I am also becoming very proficient at using the metro station. I purchased a Navigo pass for the month and have been exploring all over the city. It's nice to feel so mobile. Another somewhat scary tidbit of my week, was seeing a man run off with a woman's purse in the metro station. The incident happened across the track from me and my friends leaving our side of the station with very little we could do to help, as the trains rushed by blocking our access in no time. I'll admit I was almost relieved to see that it was just a purse snatching. The screams led be to believe something much worse had happened. I included this on my blog because I found it to be an eye opening experience. As careful as I am with myself and my belongings, there is danger in every city and it is important to be alert and focused. I was a little spooked but was able to remind myself that I need to also act accordingly and make safe decisions, in one of the biggest cities in the world.

On a lighter note, Paris continues to amaze me. Sitting at a cafe for hours with your friends is encouraged. It is truly a nocturnal city with much of its nightlife not beginning until the wee hours of the morning. I have experienced extraordinarily friendly people as well as though that have been a bit less accepting of a traveling American. However, all of this has continued to make this the adventure of my life. I feel so blessed and privileged to get to not just vacation here but live here for months. Hope this blog finds everyone in the US happy, healthy, and successful!

Bises!

PS, I still haven't quite figured out inserting the pictures in their proper place. I will learn soon!