Le Monde Ici

This is for B…since I promised updates in pictures.

Falafel Heaven = Le Marais neighborhood. For 5€, you get paradise in your mouth. Yesss…

The French kid and the French pigeon were battling it out. Pigeon was definitely winning…

Oh my. We were in it. First night out at DUPLEX!!

Sun and I made it to Charlotte late last night, and we will be embarking on a new Paris adventure in about five hours.

We will be in Paris! Talking about it yesterday during our mini road trip, we decided it was absolutely ridculous that we were actually on our way back to Paris. But this time, with no stress, no worries, no problems about anything. We are visiting with the sole intention of having a well-spent late spring holiday with friends.

And so many things I want to do! Now that there is no school, no responsibilities, I will have the time and mind to see everything I missed last time. The best part: the weather is supposed to be perfect.

It couldn’t come soon enough.

I’m back.

But I cannot get myself to admit it too freely. Not just yet. My body is here, but my mind is elsewhere.

And to write about it is quite unfeasible for me at the moment. But soon, it’ll pass – like everything else – and I’ll be able to handle my emotions and write all about the rest of my experience. Soon, I hope.

And then, another adventure to tackle.

Il neige!! BEAUCOUP!

Today was to be devoted to studying for two different exams. But once I got out of bed and was about to make some hot chocolate, I noticed this strange effect happening outside…it was just too white. That perfect kind of floaty, light snow was coming down from a blinding-white sky.

I literally got outside in about 30 seconds. From being in pajamas and having a completely sleepy nature, I bounded from corner to corner of my flat, trying to get dressed and look somewhat presentable to go outdoors. And I grabbed whatever school stuff was nearby (including Vano), my gloves, turned off Franklin, and dashed out to the hall, took the elevator and burst through the front doors.

SNOW! About an hour later, it’s still going strong. But it will only be for today…so not studying today sounds extremely tempting. Venturing to Paris city centre is a much better idea…

Going home to some soup…and then out again to enjoy the snow.

I might get another cold…I’ll be outside too much.

YAY

Yesterday we decided to venture to Auchan. It’s this huge store, one which reminds me greatly of a CarreFour or a Wal-Mart, but much busier, much better, and with way too many people. Nonetheless, we braved the crowds (which are much crazier due to the Christmas season) and went.

Sun’s main purpose: buy a new suitcase. She sent her other one back home with her mum.

My main purpose: buy a christmas tree and any corresponding decorations.

Yes, I have a christmas tree. His name is Franklin, and he’s our nightlight / full joy / Christmas cheer.

But before we could find him a home in our tiny flat and make him all joli and purdy, we went with some friends to the Louvre for a few hours, and then wandered around the Marché de Noël on the Champs Elysées… I have to admit I will never tire of those magnificent Christmas lights…

Champs Elysées – Looking towards Place de la Concorde

Champs Elysées – Facing L’Arc de Triomphe

Enjoying my Pomme d’Amour at the Christmas Market

Yes, we’re being absolutely silly with the ice sculptures…

Oh, how I love my little Franklin. He lights up my nights and days…

Itinerary today:

International Logistics (9h30 – 12h30): Present and turn in final project. My group talked about a port…we decided to go first in order to get over with it…we got shot down by the professor. Give us some slack, sheesh…

Lunch!!!! (12h30 – 1h30): Compensation for crappy previous class, more cappuccino, cookies and CHOCOLATE. How else am I to survive the entire day? Extremely excited at the thought of more coffee…

European Lobbying (13h30 – 16h30): Present and turn in final project…round 2. Again, we’re going first. Need to get it out of the way to be able to concentrate on the next class. Lovely day so far, don’t you think?

Export Techniques (16h30 – 18h00): Final Exam. Joy. The entire point of presenting first in previous classes was to focus on studying during the remaining session. Hasn’t occured yet, due to low level of concentration. Can’t decide if it has been caused by lack of sleep or excessive amounts of caffeine. Hmmm.

After-Hours Party (18h00 – 0h00): Celebratory drinks are definitely in order. So what if I have class tomorrow morning at 8AM… Besides, I can’t possibly pass on lounging at the Champs Elysées with friends…

Good day, right?

Finding myself all the way in France for Thanksgiving, Sun and I did the only thing that made perfect sense: Have a feast with all of our friends in our tiny flat. Also, Sun’s mum and friend were staying with us…that would make the perfect merry bunch!

Easily said, much harder to implement. Especially since our little box-of-a-flat has no oven… No matter. After brainstorming with friends and being extremely excited, we decided on the only thing that made perfect sense. We would make CRÊPES and then have as many side dishes as possible.

We had: vegetables, mac-n-cheese, grits, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes (thanks to K and V), gravy, bread with all sorts of cheeses, pumpkin pie (Little Bean is the BEST), never-ending wine, and so much more! Such a tremendous time we had…even if the majority of us had had class all day long. It was a good break from all the work we’ve been drowning in…

Making those yummy Three-Cheese Crêpes

A few of our guests.

**Note the peanut butter in the cupboard…heh**

Our feast – There was LOADS of food!

Enjoying the night with my friends

Beginning with the trip to Amsterdam at the end of October and still continuing on to this very moment, my life in Paris (or in Europe, rather) has been quite turbulent, nomad-like and full of new encounters.

Key example: Londontown.

Oh, it was lovely. Charming. International. Full-fledged autumn. Let me tell you how much I loved it in pictures (as always).

Aaron and Sharon’s Home, where we stayed for the duration of our visit.

Trafalgar Square

Tower Bridge on a rainy night (is there any other in London?!)

The London Eye

Big Ben from Westminster Bridge

Houses of Parliament

Westminster Abbey

Buckingham Palace

Playing in the leaves…yes, those were exhuberant times…

Regent Street with Christmas lights!

Nighttime views from the London Eye

While in Europe, it is essential for a Western Hemisphere-ian to travel as much as possible, and see as many places as one is able. Personally, I’m not exactly like that, mainly because I would like to leisurely see the world, have time to take in all my surroundings and be completely sure that I will never forget those moments. I’m the kind of person that visits a city and could stay for weeks, just visiting.

Going against my usual tendencies, I joined a group of friends on Halloween weekend and we voyaged to Amsterdam. Although we only spent two and a half days in the city, I can honestly say that I loved it. The canals, the bicycles everywhere, the people, the mere atmosphere that encompassed the city in this mellow, relaxed and easy-going environment. I can already say that I will definitely be returning sometime in my future life.

The bicycles, oh the lovely bicycles!

Halloween Night…we had our faces hidden all evening.

I think we had falafel three times that weekend…

View from the front of the Anne Frank Huis

It was definitely blustery!

Since we loved this tour SO MUCH, I immediately mentioned to Sun and other friends from school that we should do the bike tour to Versailles. Exactly a week later, Sun, Little Bean and I found ourselves being whisked away on a train towards the palace grounds, with bikes riding beside us.

I had never visited Versailles before this occasion, but now I am quite certain that there is no other way to tour the grounds. There is such liberty and freedom in zooming past all the walking people, laughing and racing, and reaching the other side of the grounds, where few venture. Everything about that day was stupendous.

With the bicycles at the departing train station in Paris. My red friend’s name was Café au Lait.

Some of the places where we bought our picnic supplies

Having way too much fun on our bikes

Some ridiculously frivolous architecture…

Enjoying our picnic

Views of the Grande Palace