Time has been going by way too fast. The days and the nights just aren't long enough. It's Sunday and I finally caught up on sleep last night. Friday's orientation was fun. They took us on a boat tour of the beautiful seine river (left), which stretches across central Paris giving you views of the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musee d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, and much much more.
Yesterday we went to the Palace of Versailles which was amazing. We walked the halls of the former kings and queens, and through the backyard which is actually larger than Manhattan...
Today I was walking around and finally found a place to play basketball! Unfortunately I can't find a gym that is reasonably priced though. Last night I went to Jonathan's apartment for his house warming party, and afterward we went to Bastille which was very crowded but nice. I have this whole Noctilien night bus thing down now! Traveling around Paris is a piece of cake! Today I came across the most fantastic park I have ever seen, Le Parc Monsouris. People were everywhere, jogging, eating, drinking, talking, sleeping. But here is the best part, so hold on to your seat. The whole park has wi-fi! Now I'm not sure if it is a good thing that we can now feed the ducks and check our email at the same time...but it sure is
convenient.
(palace of Versailles front yard is above to the right,
(palace of Versailles front yard is above to the right,
and the backyard is below)
Now, I am about 90% positive that the food my host mom cooked tonight was a blessing from God. Actually, I'm being too modest. Allah and the Buddha blessed it too. As I write this, my mouth is trembling and I'm drooling all over the keyboard. We had chicken soaked in some sort of sauce, with mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, and a dish that looked a lot like eggplant parmesan but she said it was zucchini. Afterward we had bread and cheese which is customary in France. They have a giant platter with several different kinds of cheese on it. For dessert we had what I think was cherry cheesecake. I don't even like cherries but I thought it was tasty.
Now, I am about 90% positive that the food my host mom cooked tonight was a blessing from God. Actually, I'm being too modest. Allah and the Buddha blessed it too. As I write this, my mouth is trembling and I'm drooling all over the keyboard. We had chicken soaked in some sort of sauce, with mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, and a dish that looked a lot like eggplant parmesan but she said it was zucchini. Afterward we had bread and cheese which is customary in France. They have a giant platter with several different kinds of cheese on it. For dessert we had what I think was cherry cheesecake. I don't even like cherries but I thought it was tasty.
Tomorrow is my first day of class! For the next week I have nothing but intensive french language classes, and on the 16th all of my classes begin. I signed up for global marketing, history of Paris in art and architecture, international and intercultural management, and intermediate french II. It should be a good semester as long as I get enough sleep, and on that note....I'm going to bed. Bonne nuit to all!
Chateau Versailles is pictured above! (I think Louis XIV had that video camera installed)
FUN FACT! If you lined up all the trees from the palace of Versailles, they would stretch for 80 miles! Knowledge is power.
Alex, please make sure your host mom/family has our address; you know, just in case there ever are leftovers in need of an American home.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Dad
Isn't Versailles fantastic? You should check out a graveyard in Paris called Pere Lachiase - my spelling is I'm sure incorrect. It's where Jim Morrison and Chopin are buried, among other famous people. It's a fantastic place to wander around if you feel the need for some peace and quiet. There's a map of the gravesites that you can pick up for a couple of euros. And, be sure to go up to the roof of the Arc du Triomphe - the views are the best.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great places to see in France like Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. Just to walk around is already an experience. Sipping a cup of coffee while cruising the Seine is one of the few things you can do to savor your trip.
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Lifestyles of Paris