I think I went to James Joyce by myself. Laura ended up coming to meet me. It was quite an interesting night. There were tons of people in from other EU countries to watch the races that were going on in Paris for the weekend. The horse races at Longchamps racetrack near the Arc de Triumph are one of the biggest events in Europe all year. So, there were lots of people at the pub watching the races on the big screen. I met a couple from London that explained to me the whole situation. I stayed there for majority of the evening. I ended up meeting one of the coordinators for the event. He offered me two VIP tickets to the races; open bar, 5 course lunch, private seating and everything. I was so excited. I invited Laura to go with me. Nice dress, big hat, the works.
After a pretty long night, I went to visit Lauma for the first time at her apartment; we live in the same neighborhood. She shares a studio with another girl. I honestly don't know how she does it. It's lovely, but it's tiny, especially for two people. Anyway, she cooked me a lovely breakfast and we decided to go to the park for a little sunbathing because the weather was so warm :)
We had a lovely time. Chatted, shared some wine and a baguette, soaked up the sun, and even danced around a little bit :)
After tanning, we decided to go to the fleamarket ( I needed a new hat for the races..) I found some pretty good deals. Got a nice little summer dress for 2 euros. I also bought the perfect hat for the races.
After the flea market, the Erasmus students planned a picnic in Parc Monseau. The park closed early, so we took it to the eiffel tower. We had wine and cheese and all sorts of lovely things, plus, there's nothing better than laying down a sheet and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle...up close :)
Laura and I decided to make it an early night because we had a big day ahead of us Sunday for the races. We planned to go to the market to look for dresses, and then get all dolled up. Unfortunately we woke up late Sunday morning, so we didn't have much time at the market. On the way home, I found the perfect dress at this little shop near the market... So suitable for the races :)
So we got all dressed up, big hair and makeup, hat and all. Then we called a taxi to take us to Longchamps.
We felt so special :)
Laura and me at our LOVELY dinner table, SO READY TO EAT!
The first course was a special type of scallop (4) served with a cream sauce, mushrooms, and orange zest. I ate it so quickly that I forgot to take a picture! I didn't think I liked scallops, but these were AMAZING!
Pictured below was the 2nd course: Veal and potatoes. It's probably one of the best things I've EVER tasted. SERIOUSLY. EVER.
The 3rd course was a cheese variety with berries and walnut butter. ALSO AMAZING.
And last, but certainly NOT least: dessert. A chestnut dessert drizzled with caramel, milk oblong (aka the best ice cream ever), and a poached peach set on a praline type thing. TO DIE FOR.
Basically, the entire meal was FABULOUS. We ate like QUEENS.
This is the view from the VIP seating :) ^
I must, say, we were looking FINE.
This was a marching band on horses. I thought it was pretty cool.
So, we decided we would bet. Bad idea. We bet on number 11 and number 13. Let's just say 13 wouldn't even go onto the track. He was being so obnoxious that they had to take him off the track to calm him down. I wasn't happy.
Pretty cool, huh?! ^
And this was Laura and me with the lovely hostesses.
After the races, we took a private bus back to Porte Maillot, where I live, and we went to James Joyce to have a celebratory (well, not really) drink at James Joyce.
The night didn't end as perfectly as the day went, but I won't talk about. Let's just say I woke up with battle wounds :(
Monday was back to normal. (I didn't cook all weekend! I didn't have anyone to cook for :( I had French civ at 2. I never mind going to that class. You all know this already, haha. After class I cooked chicken and broccoli alfredo. It was so YUMMY.
Tuesday was French class. I think I'm getting better. I hope so, anyway. After class we went to Auchen to get groceries for the Gumbo. Ale asked me to cook it for her Grandmother and Aunt that were coming into town Wednesday. After the grocery shopping, we went home where I taught Lauma how to cook jambalaya. I hope she learned something! It was delicious, of course :) Then we went grab a few at James Joyce. Will, the bartender, ended up showing me this cool way of uncovering one's real self perception. It was actually Freud's theory. I'll have to show you all when I get back.
See Ma, I learn things at the pub :)
Wednesday, Ale's Grandmother and Aunt came into town, so Ale and Jos went to meet them and do a little sightseeing. I stayed in bed until 3. It was awesome. After Kot got back from school, we went to meet Jos, Ale, and her Grandmother and Aunt in Montmarte to see Sacre-Coeur. It was beautiful! And so is Ale's family. Her Grandmother is so CUTE!
I stopped for a little while to say my prayers. This was such a beautiful church. It deserves COMPLETE REVERENCE. It was way overdue that I thank God for letting me have such a wonderful opporunity to see the world and meet such wonderful people. My grandmothers would be so proud...
The girls :)
Ale's grandmother was so fond of me and so thankful that she gave me the diamond earrings she was wearing because I happened to make a comment that they looked good on her. She also told me that I have a house in Mexico whenever I want to go :) My roommates' familes are WONDERFUL! But mine takes the cake :)
Oh! And Ale's family sent me a little present from Mexico via Ale's grandmother:
In case you can't see, the caption reads,
"From Mexico with love. To Kristen: Hope you enjoy! The Torres Family"
HOW SWEET?!?!?! You KNOW it WILL BE ENJOYED! Thanks for the tequila, Torres Family! I love you!!!
After Montmarte and Sacre-Coeur we took the Metro, and I came home to start on the Gumbo.
I made a HUGE pot of gumbo, potato salad, the works! Ale's Grandmother and Aunt were so impressed. I was impressed with myself, too :)
The family!
Thursday, I had marketing class. It's quite interesting. Please tell me if you can understand this. Because I cannot:
It's hard enough to understand his English, plus the handwriting?! I'm thinking it's going to be rough.
Anyway, we have a group innovation project based on sustainable development. The project outlines the process from beginning to end, starting with the creation of the idea, ending with the final product. We have to come up with a new product or service in the field of sustainable development. This is our idea:
A 100% self sufficient gym, constructed with reused or recycled material, that uses solar panels and exercise equipment that utilizes human energy to power the entire gym. All of the exercise equipment is also made with recyled/recyclable material. The gym also offers a lectures and workshops to educate its members on how to lead a more healthy and environmentally friendly life. The gym also provides a greenhouse where its members can purchase organic fruits and vegetables after their gym experience. The idea is for the gym to be more than just a workout, to be an overall well-being experience.
Part of the process is to research whether the idea is accepted, understood, etc. So please provide feedback on the idea: whether you would use it, if you understand the idea, and what improvements you would make. Thanks!
After class, I went for some much-needed retail therapy with a good friend. I ended buying 4 pairs of shoes, and I'm totally regretting it now. The pumps I bought are in no way successful in Paris. I came to find this out the hard way last night. I'm not sure if it's because I've been wearing flats for a month and a half and my feet aren't used to 5 inch stilletos, or if it's the shoes. I'm sure I will find out. The boots are awesome though. I bought a pair of flat, over-the-knee boots, and a pair of heeled boots. They are definitely coming in handy now that it's getting cold:) FINALLY. Then, we went to OZ Cafe. It's an Australian bar with 4 locations in Paris, and it reminded me of home because there is this HUGE ALLIGATOR on the front of the building. Loved it.
Friday, I slept in then went back to Chatlet with Laura to exchange a pair of shoes because I got the wrong size. We had a fun day. There are a bunch of really ghetto stores down the whole street. Haha. Some of them are really good and cheap, others, just REALLY ghetto.
Ale's boyfriend came in Friday night, so we just stayed in and rested a little.
Saturday we went to visit the Opera house and the Catacombes.
A funky little band was playing at the entrance :)
This was the view from one of the balconies. Beautiful, isn't it?
We went to the Paris Catacombes after the Opera House. Here's a little bit of history. In the old days, before the 17th century, the common practice for burying the less wealthy was mass burials. A part of the cemetary would be excavated, and once it was full, another area would be excavated. By the 17th century, the sanitary conditions were unbearable: the remains of the decaying bodies would enter directly into the earth, contaminting the city's major source of water- underground wells. So government ordered the Cemetery for the Innocent to move the human remains to former mining quarries.
The amount of bones was unreal. I think the catacombs contain the remains of 6 million humans. It was really creepy. It was wet, dark, and full of bones, so you can just about imagine. I couldn't take pictures because my camera was dead, but I think it would have been too creepy anyway.
Since Ale's boyfriend Remy was in for the weekend, we had sushi night. Clear soup, noodles, and SUSHI! It was good, as usual.
After dinner, I went out with Lauma and some of her Latvian friends that were visiting. They are so nice! (I can't wait to visit Latvia!) My new shoes spent most of their time in my hands instead of on my feet. I guess I'll have to wear them around the house to break them in. I'm not going to accept the fact that I cannot wear sexy high heels in Paris. Not until I prove it a fact.
So today was a lazy Sunday. I went for a nice little walk to try to find a grocery store that was open so I could buy flour for the shrimp and corn bisque tonight. Found lots of new things in the neighborhood. I'm glad I went.
So I FINALLY updated. Sorry for the wait. But now I have to study for a French Civ midterm scheduled for tomorrow. I have to remember I'm here for SCHOOL! lol.
There are many things I can complain about, but I won't. Because I have to remember: no matter where you go, everywhere in the world has its ups and downs. It's so easy to let things get the best of you, but I'm not gonna let anything or ANYONE get the best of me..
I'm going to use the journal Diane gave me for ranting and raving. It's pretty funny. You might get to read it when I get home if you're lucky! haha.
Ok. That's it.
Later gators.
À plus tard!
Kristen
No comments:
Post a Comment