Sorry I have not updated in so long – I have been crazy busy, and when I finally get back to my flat, I just want to sleep. After I got back from Barcelona, I went to Versailles – home of Louis XIV, Louis XVI, and most importantly, Marie Antoinette. It was absolutely beautiful, grand and luxurious, and totally ostentatious. The fountains and gardens were very cool too. All geometric and whatnot. We also saw the “peasant village” that Marie Antoinette built, and if that is how peasants lived, I could do poverty in the 1700s. On Thursday, we focused on the French Revolution and saw the Bastille, the Palais Royal, and the Arc du Triumph. On Friday, we went to a museum about the history of Paris, and we went to the Conciergerie where prisoners were held during the revolution. We finished the day at Sacre Coeur, the big white temple on the hill in Montmarte. It was definitely one of the coolest things I have seen, and of course, they did not allow photography. That night I went to the river where all the cool young Parisians go on the weekend. They have dance clubs on boats and that night there was an 80s theme happening, so I enjoyed the Eurhythmics and Blondie. We had class on Saturday and we went to all the army museums. It was the most boring day ever. Ever. But we were in a place where Bob and Elizabeth Dole were the day before and Obama was going to be there later that day. Saturday night I went to a Canadian Bar (Caity – I had strongbow). It was called the Moose and it was a great time. On Sunday I went to see dem skullz (aka the Catacombes). It was oh so very creepy. There is also an Andy Warhol exhibit going on in Paris so I checked that out. There were so many amazing pieces there that I had not seen before. I went a lil crazy in the gift shop. Sorry mom and dad. Then I saw Angels and Demons (in English with French subtitles). Man, that movie is very suspenseful. All in all, it was a very successful week.
Today I went back to the Louvre and saw art from the 1600s-1900s. Then I went and toured the Garnier Opera house and got a non-abridged history of it from our tour guide. It was interesting, but wowza, could that man talk. Tomorrow I am off to Reims (where the kings were crowned), Valmy, and Verdun. I will be there for a few days, and then I will almost be done in France. Boo.
Additional fun facts about my life in France: I have eaten at McDonalds twice. Once I ordered a McFlurry and it turns out that in France you must “flur” it yourself. Toilet seats are hard to come by in France. Ice does not exist. Ice cream exists in abundance. If I eat another sandwich I think I might die. French people appear to be really into Taylor Swift for some reason. Bosnian women try to get you to give them money; even when they are wearing a Lacoste sweater.
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ReplyDeletestrongbow = water. drink it, drink it, don't dehydrate!
ReplyDeletei am very pleased with your versailles excursion. i did not get to see the domain of marie antoinette, so i'm going to have to hear all about that, thank you.
also, i don't know if you're still going to London or if that trip did fall completely through, but i have a correction to make to 'Caitlin's Hypothetical London List'. i directed you to a store in Camden Market called "Rocketdog," but such a place does not exist. it is commonly known as "Cyberdog," and i do think that is a much better name. what's in a name? everything.
mad!love, mon francophile
So I'm late on this post, but Caity is very much correct in that Strongbow = amazing. Also, I laughed so hard on that sandwich comment, because I eat at least two sandwiches a day! They love sandwiches in London too. So over them.
ReplyDelete