Champagne Tasting in Reims

We took a bus to Reims on April 5th and went to the Mumm champagne museum and store. There was a video and tour of the museum. It was really cool to learn about the Mumm family who owns 540 acres of vineyards in the Champagne region. They have three grapes: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, black grapes, and Chardonnay, a white grape, and the taste of champagne comes from the combination of them. Isn't that interesting? The champagne was really good--we tasted their classic Cordon Rouge. "You can get a whole bunch of Mumm's."

We also had a lovely lunch and then saw the Notre-Dame de Reims was very similar to the one in Paris--same style of architecture, built in the 1200's and our tour guide said they did some of the French kings' coronations here. The tour guide and my French prof, Lucie got into this sarcastic argument because the tour guide was making fun of Lucie's Parisian accent.

Sunday, my friend Jon came to town. Poor guy got in a fight at the Duplex and had a huge gash across his nose. We decided he should photoshop it out of his pics of Paris before showing his mom... He, Brendan and I went to the Eiffel Tour with some bread and cheese and sat on a park bench. It just happened to be the coldest weekend in Paris yet and began snowing on us and making our baguette soggy BUT the view made up for it! In the fountains near the tour there appeared to be some sort of a protest--the water was dyed red and fake human bodies were floating in it.

On Monday I played tour guide for Jon and as we were walking down the Champs-Elysées, we were blocked from the Arc de Triomphe by Chinese Nationalists and pro-Tibet supporters who lined the street in anticipation of the Olympic torch run! We got to see both the carrier of the torch--a Chinese fencer in a wheelchair and the demonstrators! There was chanting, Chinese and Tibetan flags, huge banners hung from the windows with the Olympic rings composed up of handcuffs, and a fight even broke out! What's going on with the Olympics is so interesting to me and I am really glad there are so many defending Tibet. I can't understand the Chinese nationalists view, though.

Nîmes

My program went to Nîmes in the south of France for the weekend. We took a train from Paris and immediately put on our shades when we got there;) We were all so happy to be in a warm climate--people were wearing sun-dresses and flip-flops! We had a great lunch the first day and then met up with a tour guide to see the coliseum, Arènes, e climbed to the top and learned about the gladiators and wild animals that used to battle there. They also used to have bullfights there. It's crazy to me that the bulls actually die at the end of the fights! (even in modern-day fights)
We went to the center of the village and just as we walked past this church there were wedding bells and we saw the newlyweds coming out of the church:) The Roman architecture of the town was beautiful.
That night at dinner we had foie gras (i know, i know) and afterwards went to a bar called Victor Hugo.
Sunday morning we went to the aqueduct nearby, Pont du Gard. It's settled in the hills and it was great to be outside climbing on trees and hiking around. (Mom, you'll be happy to hear I did a little meditation while we were up in the hills surrounded by nature.) Then we had this great lunch salmon cakes and a beef dish (turned out to be bull...?) in a big white tent with colored paper lanterns and a great view of the river and mountains. It was incredible.
On our way back to Nîmes, we stopped at the Haribo museum--they make gummy bears--and toured around there, got some tasters etc. I also stopped in a little shop that sold souvenirs and made their own honey and jams. They had orange and chestnut wines!
My roommates in the hotel (Amy, Audrey and Hayley) were really funny and each night people came over to our room and we all stayed up laughing, telling stories and hanging out till late.

Un super séjour avec ma famille!

My parents got into Paris on Thursday morning but because I had class I couldn't meet up with them until 5 that evening. I also met Eren and Lauren at the Opera House to see them once more before they left. We started with wine, cheese and bread at the hotel, then we went to a cute fondue restaurant nearby! For some reason I was the only one who actually ordered fondue, but everyone tried a little. J’étais trés heureuse de voir ma famille. They were all so cute at their French attempts and looking to me to communicate to the waiter.
Friday morning I went to breakfast with Scott, Kristen and Brendan before my afternoon classes. Straight after class I hurried to my parents hotel for another wine and cheese happy hour (we enjoyed a good many of these). Tom had discovered the Monoprix (think a nicer Wal-Mart slash Target--with fresh breads and super cheap Bordeaux wines) and he kept a good stock of treats for us. My parents, Di and Tom were sooo sweet and took Scott, Kristen and Brendan out to a fancy pants dinner! We went up to Montmartre (everyone falling inline behind me as we zig zagged through the Metro stations and had to change trains 3 times! It was cool to show them around--I felt like such a chic Parisian) and went to a fabulous seafood restaurant. Di finally got some escargot and we all shared big trays of shellfish. Fun stories and really cool for me to introduce my friends to the fam! Us kids hung out at a bar in Montmartre for Kristen and Scott's last night.
Saturday morning I met the fam at their hotel and we went for a walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Di went for a run, Tom, KC and Brooke walked to the Marais. My parents and I took a stroll down St-Michel to see the famous fountain. It is of St-Michel who is the protector of France, slaying a dragon. It is also right in the middle of the Latin Quarter near the Sorbonne. It started to downpour as we walked though, so we stopped in a little café for some soupe d'oignon (French onion soup. They just call it onion soup here) and café au lait. Unfortunately my dad wasn't feeling well (the whole trip:( ! ) So he went back, Di, my mom and I did a little shopping and Di bought the most adorable coat. It is a periwinkle/gray/blue longish trench style but has 3/4 length sleeves with a bit of a ruffle. She also got a matching scarf! So chic. That night I got to take KC and Brooke out for a little while and introduced them to some of my friends:)
Sunday=Happy Easter in Paris! Most unconventional Easter ever! We went to the Musée d'Orsay (the Impressionist painters) and I had a great time explaining the paintings I have learned in my Art History class. They really enjoyed the Manets and Degas. I think Tom liked the pointillism paintings. Afterward, we had "Easter Brunch" at a falafel restaurant in the Jewish district (the Marais). The place was bumpin (as always on Sundays) and we got a table for 7 right away! The waiters (ours especially) were fun and we all marveled at their teamwork. One would put something in the microwave and another would come up just in time to grab it. They also seemed about a minute from colliding into each other and spilling falafel balls and french fries (just plain frites here ;) ) everywhere. We were beat after that and just hung out at the hotel. I met Audrey at a café for some vin chaud that evening.
The Monday after Easter in Paris (and probably all of France) the city shuts down. Besides tourist attractions and a few stores, nothing is open. We were lucky to go to le Louvre! Oh man it was packed. I can't imagine what the actual "season" will be like because man it was crazy in there. Especially the Mona Lisa room (salle de la Jaconde) which is pretty overrated but definitely a must-see. I really enjoyed the Egyptian art and the Persian rooms were something I didn't think I would be into but thought were soo cool! My parents really liked the Flemish paintings I think.
Afterwards we had pizza at a place off Chatelet (short walk from le Louvre) and did a little shopping at H&M (huuuge European clothing store that has recently opened chains in the U.S.)
That evening I needed to work on schoolwork (yes, it's true, I do attend classes in Paris!) so the whole gang went with me to a nearby café. Les Patios was just off the Place de la Sorbonne and there was this great little bluesy swingy jazzy singer and her trio in there! I wrote a poem in French and had some wine with my loves. It was such a great ambiance--low lighting and beautiful songs. The singer was awesome (cute and little) and obvi my family was a great add to the evening.
Tuesday I had class all day! boooo. So I only got to meet the fam for a quick lunch on their way to exploring the Latin Quarter. That evening we did a really nice dinner at Bouillon Racine (a Belgian restaurant near the hotel) that Eemaw and Eepaw had been to when they were here :) The food was awesome (I had duck mmm think I can get enough while I'm here?) and once again the service was funny (it was "pas possible" for us to sit upstairs)
Wednesday the gang went to Versailles and I worked on a midterm paper. That evening Momma and Dad got to meet Madame! H I L A R I O U S. Like I've mentioned, she doesn't speak a word of English. And as you can guess, my parents are a little rusty on their French (although Mom did try to throw in some Spanish words here and there). Madame was wonderful. She brought out little sandwiches, cookies, cakes and olives and different kinds of wine to choose from. Through my translating, they discovered a shared love of Jazz! Madame brought out a stack of all her jazz cd's and put one on for us! The parents loved this. She told them I was a hard worker and pleasant to have:)
This was their last night (we thought) in Paris so we went back to the hotel to say goodbye to Di, Tom, KC and Brooke.
(American Airlines failed to inspect their planes so my parents got to stay one more night in Paris! I spent the night with them at their airport hotel! Not bad!)

So many visitors!

I haven't written in awhile because I have been really busy with a ton of visitors from home!! It was like a mini-vacation back to the U.S.!
I visited Amboise on March 15 with a group from school. It is just a short bus ride to the West of Paris. Leonarda da Vinci spent the last years in a cute cottage there. We visited this gorgeous chateau and cathedral there that Leonardo is buried in. It was a charming little village and was so cool because they had duplicates of Leonardo's inventions all through his house and garden. We played on his bridges and frolicked around the yards. It started to rain in the afternoon and we stopped in a cute little café where the waitress could not understand my French no matter how hard I tried. Perhaps it is my Parisian accent?
I picked up Callie (from Tulane who is studying in Grenada, Spain) from the Metro stop that night when the airport shuttle dropped her off. I took her to her hostel in the 15th arrondissement so she could get all settled in. It was also technically St. Patrick's Day according to the Pope so we had a Guinness at the bar before I headed home.
Sunday morning I went for a run in Jardin du Luxembourg then met Callie at her hostel. We walked to the Marais to meet friends for lunch. The Marais is the gay slash Jewish area of town. On Sundays when the rest of the city shuts down the Marais comes alive! There are adorable little vintage boutiques, Jewish bakeries, gay bars, synagogues, falafel restaurants, and a funky ambiance. Six girls including Caila (from Tulane who is studying at AUP) met us at this fabulous little falafel place. It was of course packed and buzzing with activity. We had vegetarian falafel sandwiches and Callie, Caila and I got to catch up on each other's lives and the little Tulane gossip we are aware of;)
The three of us walked to the Bastille and had cafés under a heated terrace while it sprinkled on us. That evening, Callie and I went to my favorite little wine bar and were able to just sit and talk. It was nice to be just with her and tell stories and hear all about her Spanish boyfriend, crazy landlady and fun times at the beach in Grenada.
On Monday I met her at Musée de l'Orangerie and walked through the Tuilerie gardens to the Champs Elysees. Around 2 we picked up Scott and Kristen (on Spring Break all the way from Tulane!!) at the train station. They had spent the weekend in London and I was sooo happy to see them! We dropped off their bags at my apartment, grabbed a couple croque monsieurs (toasted ham and cheese sandwiches) then met up with Brendan (from Tulane studying at Sciences Po in Paris). It was fun having to order in French for them and navigating around my city. We went to the rum bar by my house and shared a tray of rum shots including fun flavors like melon, coconut and lemon. We went out that night at an Anglophone bar for the real St Patrick's Day, partied and caught up Tulane style and Kristen and Scott stayed at Brendan's apartment.
I had class on Tuesday but was able to meet Kristen and Scott at the Notre Dame for lunch. That evening Eren and Lauren (my roommate in NOLA who is at Tulane this semester) finally got to Paris!! We went to the Duplex (an underground club on the Champs-Élysées) and danced the night away. There are two big rooms--one plays house slash techno music and the other is more mainstream American hip-hop. There were 7 of us close friends and we had such a blast. Lauren turned 21 at midnight and it was really cool to all be together in Paris.
The next day Di, Tom, KC and Brooke all got into Paris in the morning! They stayed at the Hotel les Jardin du Luxembourg--just a 35 minute walk or a 15 minute bus ride from my house! I met them at the hotel and we went to breakfast a café across the street. The girls and Tom had omelettes, Di a croissant and I had a crepe with nutella and bananas. We were all pretty beat but I was soo happy to see them! Our waitor was a character! He told us he was going to America in a month to meet a wife and Tom noticed he changed from wearing a bow-tie to a regular tie half way through the meal. We made dinner plans and while those guys took a nap, I met the Tulane crew under the Tour Eiffel to have a birthday picnic. My present to Lauren was a big bag filled with four different cheeses (roquefort, chevre, brie, camembert), two bottles of wine and two baguettes. Although it was cloudy and we were sprinkled on I thought it was a perfect day. I was so lucky to be with my best friend on her birthday under one of the prettiest things in the world. We talked and laughed like I hadn't missed a day at Tulane:) I was sad to see them leave but so lucky to have spent a few days with Callie, Eren and Lauren.

Patine sur la Glace à l'Hôtel de Ville

Saturday I went on a run around Jardin des Plantes, then met Hayley and Amy à l'Hôtel de Ville to go ice skating! We rented ice skates, even though Amy is like a pro or something. She has been ice skating all her life and has won all sorts of competitions and tried out for big shows and things. She was all upset she didn't have her ice skates because she couldn't skate as well and pull as many tricks. Hayley and I spent most of our time on the wall or holding Amy's hand to stay up. It was a bright warm day and they were playing Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and other American pop singers over loud speakers. The ice was melting really bad so there was a layer of water on top of the ice that was a little scary but still fun. We definitely made a spectacle clutching each other and scooting around the edge of the rink.
We then went inside l'Hôtel de Ville to see a photograph exposition, "Paris la Métisse." It was all photos of Paris and each one had the arrondissement distinguished on the placard. Everything from little kids painting in a park to a couple kissing on a bridge to a homeless man sleeping on the streets. They were all in black and white and very pretty.
Saturday night, I went to Amy's house because she made dinner. Her host family was supposed to be out of town but they surprised her by coming home early. Liliann, the wife, is friends with my Madame, but they are on the outs right now. Liliann asked me all these questions about Madame (like "what do you think the problem is in her family?") and of course I didn't know what to say. Finally, the couple went to a movie and Amy and I had a nice dinner of pasta and vegetables, salad, cheese, bread and wine. We met my friend Lauren Kelley from Tulane that night and went out dancing around Chatelet.
Sunday I went to Hayley's house for lunch. The lady she lives with, Laura, is a sweetheart and invited me over. She made couscous (she used to live in Algeria) and invited her Muslim son over. It was really good but she insisted we eat so much! She is a classic grandma figure so sweeeet and constantly giving us food. After lunch, she insisted I stay and take a nap there so I wouldn't be home alone in my apt. Hayley and I watched "Juno" and then went out just the two of us. We ended up meeting 4 American boys who are MBA students at WIlliam and Mary College and hung out with them all evening.

Happy Leap Year!

It only took me about a day to recover from London and this week I did a lot. Madame and I had dinner on Monday night and she made falafel balls, rice, and veggies. She was surprised I knew what falafel was. It was nice though and she was very interested in my trip to London.
On Wednesday I went to the Cluny Museum. It is right next to the Sorboone in the Latin Quarter and is a middle ages museum. Mom and had told be there was a chastity belt there, but I don't think it's there anymore. What the museum is really known for is its tapestries. There is this one huge one called The lady and the Unicorn that is in a dark room to preserve the colors. It was really pretty. I also saw Middle Age jewelry, tombstones, Roman baths, intricate and elaborate altars, statues, shoes, swords, stained glass, and armor. Very cool place if you are into the Middle Ages.
That evening I went with Henry to an American jazz club. We heard a girl named Felicia from the US who has lived and studied in South Africa and is now in Paris. Henry met her while he was doing volunteer work in South Africa. She sang some really great soulful stuff and had this deep sultry voice. The pianist and bass player were American, but the bass guitarist (Michel) was French. My favorite song of hers was "Summertime" but she also did renditions of "A Few of My Favorite Things" and "God Bless the Child." It was gorgeous and we were sitting right next to her.
Madame went out of town this week and left the apartment all to me! So on Friday after class, I rushed home to make dinner for Hayley and Amy. I had know idea how to work Madame's oven. I needed to set it at 200 degrees celsius and the two knobs were only numbered 1-6 and 1-10. I also didn't know if I needed to light it with a match because she has a gas stove. I was making a chicken and potato casserole and was worried i would overcook it on the stove. It turned out ok though! I found the recipe on an easy-French cooking website. it is made with white wine and was really good. Hayley and Amy came over and brought wine, cheese, bread, and salad. We lit a candle and used Madame's prettydishes while listening to Edith Piaf, the French singer.
Afterwards we went to a bar near my house. It is a rum bar so they had about 20 different kinds of rum in these big jars. From chocolate to mango to raspberry. All the French kids in there were singing along with the music, these French songs we had never heard. It was so rowdy and fun. We really need to learn those songs though. Amy spent the night because she is home alone too.

Funny Frenchisms

This will be a rolling list of things I find funny. According to the French:
1. black and brown do match
2. white shoes go with anything, at anytime of year
3. iced beverages do not exist
4. ham trumps chicken and turkey
5. peanut butter is extremely rare and expensive
6. stale bread is ok
7. police officers rollerblade
8. rollerblading is masculine
9. so are Longchamps bags
10. two heterosexual and grown men may ride together on a motorcycle
11. eggs need not be refrigerated
12. milk is always whole
13. when walking your dog, leash is optional
14. a grassy patch in a park is no place for sitting, playing, or doing sit-ups
15. tax and tip are included
16. accidental eye contact with a boy on the metro="please come talk to me and ask me for my number"