Catching up

Ok, wow. It has been a while since I have written, many many apologies. As I catch you up on what is going on ... on my side of the puddle... I think it will be clear to you as to why I don't write.... SLEEP is something I cherish and have been trying to get to for the longest time. Our group has been running around all over the place for the past two weeks. Busy Busy

So here we go... a quick run though

Friday 11 --

Woke up early as usual for French class which was then followed by a presentation by Elodie Nowinsky on cultural differences. It was fascinating. This young Sciences-Po professor gave a really exiting lecture on culture (who would have thought that exciting and lecture could be caught together in a sentence). But wow. She teaches pop culture and rock and roll, she had a bright pink bow in her hair, and a very chill but intense way of talking. She didn't go though the usual "we eat french fries with mayo and you eat it with ketchup." Instead she dove into the attitudes of the cultures. The perceptions of success and money, opportunity and value. America is "yes we can!" while France is a bit more skeptical. She compared the educational systems, the value of history and antiquity... depth in understanding (the French side of course). It was a cool presentation and I hope to listen to her lectures again sometime this semester.

Afterwards we went on our scavenger hunt. We got into groups and went out to the Concord- American Embassy- a small chocolate shop- then Moulin Rouge- and up the hill to the beautiful white church whose name I know but I don't feel like butchering. The day was gorgeous so the view was wonderful. At each location we had to take pictures to prove the whole group was there... which was a bit of a problem at the US embassy given that the guards forbid any pictures... how silly. They might as well build a wall around it if no one is allowed to take a few pics. Well anyway... our team won by far, and then sat at a bar to chill and wait for the rest. The ending location was our restaurant for dinner.... a wonderful and funky fondu place.

First of all, the place is tiny and covered in signatures of former customers. Secondly, the toilet seat is bright yellow with cheese pictures on it. Then, in order to sit at your table you need to climb on a chair and jump over the table (tiny place). We were served cheese fondu and meat fondu (hot oil where we cook our meat) and our wine was served in baby bottles. Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, nor is my mind shutting down from lack of sleep... BABY bottles. Very odd and charming in its own way as a group of 25 people piled up in a tiny restaurant holding baby bottles of wine. It was a fun night to say the least.

Saturday 12- Was a relatively chill day. I went out with my roomie and got veggies from the open market, and necessities from the supermarket, and walked around and around and had lunch etc. Went out that night for a bit and yea... all was chill.

Sunday 13- I went to my friends house for brunch. Absolutely fantastic. Then they showed me many great places to visit in Paris while I'm here. Then I went out with N, we made dinner at home and then went out for a movie... Inglorious Bastards. Fantastic title, but eh... good movie but didn't really see the point. Not that movies need to have a point... but it wasn't charming in the way Pulp Fiction had been... no where as many good quotes and it was a bit of a ugh.. idk, touchy movie.

Monday- Schooool... it was wonderful, the professor really knows how to speak to the class, how to get us involved and lecture all at the same time. Everyone seems to like her and really enjoy the class. After class we had lunch, (3 euro sandwiches at the cafeteria,,, bravo, really good!) Then off to French class were we had.... wait for it.... wait for it.... guess what.... another scavenger hunt!!

But much harder given that it was all in French and that the teachers overestimated our French skills and our cultural knowledge. So we got thought about a fourth of it. We were stuck on the metro for a bit because it took a long time for the groups to get tickets... then we were off to the cemetery. It was really incredibly old and beautiful. We stopped by many famous graves and then saw something a bit more contemporary.... a couple going at it in the cemetery. They weren't doing anything bad per se, just showing the Americans that all rules against PDAs (public displays of affection) do not exist in Paris. So, quite a few people in the group were a bit offended that the couple was making out in a graveyard and didn't even unlock lips as we passed (and some took pics (not me)). But in my opinion, they brought a little life to the place.

We then passed through streets with interesting graffiti, and unpleasant smells and cool cafes. It was a good experience... getting to see the "other side" of Paris... not just the glamor. Unfortunately one of the groups got a little too much of a taste as they witnessed a mugging...

everyone, hold on tight to their handbags. We were dead tired when we got back to the dorms. I made dinner and then read and slept.

Tuesday- Crazy busy day... Class then lunch (where we met with our groups for the marketing project) then french class then I walked home to get my cell, then turned around and walked back to the place we were going to have dinner... Crepes are yummy. Yep. yummy. I had one with all sorts of things... mushrooms, and creme, and salad and ooh. Then a raspberry chocolate ice-cream moosh. Then we went on a tour boat on the river.... then sleeeep. I know it sounded really fast, but really... the day was packed, no time to breath... only time to learn, walk and eat!

Ok... speaking of sleep, i'm going to go get some of that now. I'll continue catching up tomorrow. : )

Good night!