The End of Summer

Summer is nearly over in Paris and the air has grown cooler, the rain has become more frequent, and the leaves have just begun to change color. I have honestly always preferred the warmer Spring and Summer months and really dislike the cold, but this year, I am really excited to see the change of a season, especially in Paris. Nearly all of the store keepers have re-opened their shops after August which is a time when most go away for a Summer holiday. The city is full of people and school has resumed in and officially been in session for most people here for the past two weeks. Even though September is not the beginning of a new year, I have always associated it with a fresh start full of new people, places, and experiences.

This week was an intensive week of French classes. I knew hardly a word of French before arriving in Paris and ironically I never realized how much Spanish I knew until I came here. When trying to say something at times I'll blurt it out in Spanish simply because it is the only other language I speak a bit of besides English. Even though the classes have been a bit difficult since all of the information is so new, it has helped to jump start my language acquisition here. Never before have I taken information from one of my school classes and literally applied it a few minutes later. My accent and pronunciation is steadily improving which I think is a really crucial part of a language because if even you know very little, a good accent will help you to blend in more easily with native speakers. I have been practicing wherever I go, which may make me look a little crazy, silently repeating words to myself, but at least I fit in with the rest of the non sensical characters on the Metro.

I visited the Opera House this week which was absolutely stunning. I am in complete disbelief as to how the ceilings, statues, and fixtures were carved, painted, and shaped. The grandeur and intricacy of the rooms in mind boggling. I have never seen more decadent architecture and I likened it to an elaborate dessert, beautiful to consume, but so rich its hard to eat more than a few bites. We saw Napoleon's private entrance to the Opera house which leads directly into one of the boxes, providing an easy escape if he was ever in danger. It was a real treat to visit and all of the grandiose elements were even more beautiful to see as they were juxtaposed against a gray rainy sky.

This past Tuesday was a politically charged day in Paris, particularly right near the Bastille. In class we heard chants, marching, and music as large masses of people filled the streets protesting. The metro was on strike for the day and to be quite honest there has been so much protesting lately I've found it a bit hard to keep track of what goes on which days. What I've gathered thus far is that the general retirement age with a pension is being raised from 60 years old to 62 in an effort to relieve financial stress in Europe. There is also controversy with Sarkozy at this point as he is rounding up gypsy camps and is essentially deporting certain ethnic groups. I haven't researched this issue very well and have yet to form my own opinion of all these matters. I have just spent my time absorbing information for the local French people and am not at liberty yet to make an assessment as to what I believe is right or wrong.

I spent some time on the Champs-Elysees this weekend near where my friend is living for her homestay. It was so beautiful but very touristy. I want to go back when it is a little calmer and feels a little less like Time Square. I've heard that on the main avenue the trees are lit up with lights around Christmastime which I am so excited for!

The nightlife here is unlike anything I have ever seen. I have always considered myself a night person, I go to bed pretty late and don't particularly like anything in the early morning. However, I feel like a complete amateur here. Clubs, bars, and restaurants stay open the entire night. I am so used to Monterey and Carmel being closed down at 9pm when I'm in town. When I am at school, late night activities are fairly limited to house parties, so being in a city like this is unlike anything I've encountered. It truly seems like the city never sleeps however, because on Sunday mornings and afternoons, open air markets line the streets of Paris. I have been going on Sunday afternoons to get fresh produce. It's a good way for me to practice my French as well, and for my body, is a welcome break from baguettes and crepes.

I hope that people were able to enjoy Labor Day this year and were also able to take time to reflect on the 9/11 anniversary. Love to you all! I hope this blog finds you happy and healthy. Bises!