The Big 1-8 Part II: C'est La Vie en Paris
November 23, 2008 (about Nov 15, 2008)
6:30 on Saturday morning is ridiculous and a bit unethical. Except of course, if you happen to be catching a train at 8:00 to spend the whole weekend in Paris. For your birthday. Then it is okay. No, then it is awesome.
After a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate, Alex and I were in the car and ready for the drive to Dijon station. Alex was absolutely miserable, while I could not contain my excitement. At the station, Leonie walked us up to our train. Of course, since it was quarter to 8 in the morning, cloudy, and gray (oh how rare...) it was also frigid cold. In fact, in just 5 minutes, I realized that I had made the foolish mistake of not packing enough warm clothes. Leonie would probably have waited for us to board the train and get settles, but it was far too cold and she pretty much ran back to the car as soon as she could. But before she left us, I gave her a big hug!
Our train was the world-famous TGV, directly to Paris, and just under 2 hours. I sat and read Harry Potter, followed by the Paris Weekend guide, a present from my host family for my birthday. Meanwhile, Alex tried to sleep, but I made sure not to let her get too comfortable. When we finally arrived in Paris, the pair of us were well enough versed in the day's activities and headed straight for the first destination.
The Bastille was the prison that was stormed and sparked the French Revolution in 1789. Today it is only a monument in the center of a busy street. Needless to say, I was disappointed. "Where is the prison?" I moaned. "Oh Shut up," Alex had to say eventually. Our next stop was the Place Vosages, an off-the beaten trail destination that had been recommended by Leonie. We got a little lost but eventually made our way to the symmetrical garden/shopping center. It was beautiful as it was was a square center with symmetrical walls and great garden in the middle. After a brief look around, we decided to head to the world famous Le Centre de Pompidou Modern Art Museum. But first, we desperately needed a Starbucks.
As we walked along the quiet streets of Paris, Alex spotted a nice looking fellow carrying a Starbucks cup. I jumped for joy, while she pretty much attacked him and demanded to know where to find the Starbucks. It turns out the little coffee shop was just around the corner from the Pompidou. We nearly sprinted to it, as for two American girls Starbucks is truly a beacon of hope, when it has been a long time since you have indulged. Come to think of it, I have had a Mocha Frappucino in New York, London, Kobe, Kyoto, and now Paris. I really am just a Mocha Frappucino in paradise. After we had been fed and our energy restored, we decided to enter le Centre de Pompidou. It is an incredibly modern art museum, that is known to Parisians as a big eyesore. That is because the modern building is fully exposed from the outside and the pipes are in bright vibrant colors. Blue pipes are water, red pipes are heating, yellow is for air vents, and so on and so forth. For me, the building is absolutely fabulous because I love bright obnoxious colors. But for me, seeing the Pompidou has been a dream come true. In my French classes of the past, we studied landmarks of Paris, and for some reason I was always assigned the Pompidou. It annoyed me at first to be assigned the ugliest building in all of Paris, but that is not the case at all. And finally after all those projects, including one in which I actually had to construct the Pompidou with pipe cleaners, I finally got to stand there and see it for myself.
Living in France truly has changed me in at least the aesthetic side. I can remember a time when I used to find every excuse in the book to not go to the MET in NYC with my friends. I hated art and believed it to be ridiculously boring. Now I jump on every opportunity o experience and see now things. This is either the product of living in a place like France or having Jean-Francois, the future famous sculptor as a host-father. And so, I really did love the Pompidou, even though at times the art was rather baffling. Modern art just is I guess.
After our visit to the museum, Alex ate lunch and then we decided to make out way over to the Latin Quartier, where all the University life is. First we stopped and explored Notre Dame, which was the only spot in the whole city where I found it to be crowded. I am not complaining, but I always thought there would be a lot of people in Paris. Alas, even the ones that were in Paris were pretty rude and obnoxious.
Finally, we made our way into the Jardin des Luxumbourg for a little stroll. We also bought some tasty French crepes. Alex munched on her nice little Sugar Crepe, while I devoured a Crepe with Chestnut sauce. Both of us could not believe how much we had done so far, and so early in the day.
Our next stop was the Musee d'Orsay, the former train station turned home to Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet, and many other world famous artists. Even though Alex made sure to tell me she had been there before, I was feeling rather artistic and wanted to go in. Of course it was also free for me. Even though I was celebrating the 1-8 here, I still was only 17 and thus free in all of the museums. Poor Alex had to pay full price, and she certainly complained about it enough. I really enjoyed the museum, but was pretty glad when the closing time announcement came on about 2 hours after we went in. I had exhausted myself with art for one day.
As it was growing dark and nearing the time we had promised to be in St-Germain, Alex and I trekked off for the train station. We stopped along the way to buy a box of truffles for Fabian and her family, who would be hosts that night, and also bought a few necessities for ourselves. The train we took was not part of the Paris Metro, and it took 30 minutes to arrive in St-Germain. We were told to meet Fabian between the Church and the Chateau. Of course, we managed to get it all mixed up and lost. But eventually, we met up with Fabian, sister of Jean-Francois, a petite blond little French lady that was full of generosity and smiles.
Alex showed off her French skills, as well as her talking skills. Even when Fabian posed me a question about the Roberts, Alex made sure to peep in and talk. I love Alex to death, but she could drive a saint crazy once in a while.
That evening after a delicious dinner and meeting with some of the Robert's cousins, I was learning quite a lot about my own host family and their relatives. For example, Kinderly, Charlotte's best friend and cousin of the same age, is currently studying in London. She had gine to middle school in Los Qngeles qd her English was perfect. Coline, Margaux, and Luic, are all 10 year-old cousins and are all obsessed with the Simpsons.
After dinner, Fabian and her husband took Alex and I to see The Duchess. It was a really great movie, even though I had to concentrate really hard to just stay awake. Back at house, after a quick shower, I tried to sleep, but find myself far too cold to get much shut eye. But during the night, I realized we walked for over 12 hours!
