Paris me manque

So I have been home from Paris for a little while now, which has given me plenty of time to reflect on the experience. There are things I miss about Paris every day. When the waitress doesn't give me bread with my salad, I miss Paris. When carolers sing in the airport and I work to a avoid eye contact for fear they will ask me for money, I miss Paris.

Being out of Paris has given me the opportunity to see how I have changed as a person due to all my experiences there. It is strange to be put back in a familiar environment with a different view of the world. Everything else is the same, but I know that I have changed. I have Paris to thank for that.

Locking my lock on the bridge

The most beautiful city in the world

Champs-Elysees

My last day in Paris was the best way to leave. I got to spend the day with Cara doing all the things we like to do, which includes eating and taking gouters. We also rode the big ferris wheel overlooking the Champs-Elysees. It was magical.

My plane ride back was long and tiring, but kind of passed in a blur of sleep, free apple juice and children's movies. The Canadian airport suddenly reminded me I was not in Paris anymore. People were smiling and happy and talking to everyone. I kept wanting to ask, "Are we friends? Do we know each other?" I was so unused to the outward friendliness.It made me happy at first, but soon made me miss Paris, where a smile is truly a gift and it is always special when you receive one.

I know that as time progresses, I will be introduced to more ways in which I have changed. I think everything will just need a bit of patience, which I will have to muster up.

The question is, do I keep blogging? I am no longer in Paris and that is why I started the blog. I have been thinking maybe I will continue with a different blog, one about my life in California, but it is definitely lacking in adventure. We will see what happens.

Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park

Something finally clicked for me today.

I woke up late, not sure what I wanted to do, so I decided to head to Tuileries to go to the Musee Orangerie since I hadn't been yet. I took a wrong metro exit and ended up at a different museum, which had a Diane Arbus exhibit. I love Diane Arbus so I knew I just had to go. Unfortunately I was so hungry, to the point where I was almost positive my stomach had started eating itself. But it was Diane Arbus! I decided to go inside.

Upon entering the museum, I found out it is one of the few in Paris that was going to actually make me pay to get in. A this is the last week and everyone is short on funds, I wasn't sure if I wanted to pay. But, again, it was Diane Arbus! Here's my lunch money, Mrs. Museum Lady.

What I can tell you is this: it was worth every penny. Diane Arbus' work is so beautiful and magnificent and everything I already knew it to be. She has used her camera not just to take a picture of a person, but to capture a time long forgotten. She made those who were not usually looked at in a beautiful way be a piece of art. Her photographs helped change the way I looked at her subjects.

It was in this moment, standing in front of a photo of a young child holding a toy grenade, that I realized what I want to do with my life. I want to capture. I want to capture moments in time, moments in space, moments within moments.

I have always loved taking pictures, for as long as I can remember, but it was in this moment that I realized that it was more than just a fun hobby. I want to do this for the rest of my life.

So thanks to a wrong exit and my lunch money, I learned something about myself. I learned that sometimes we just need to look into the eyes of someone else to realize what we have inside ourselves.

Tu me manque

It has recently set in that I a leaving Paris in about 10 days, which makes me happy and sad at the same time. I started thinking about all the things I will miss when I go back home.

1. Cafes. I love getting to sit down, take a coffee and people watch. There is nothing like this experience. I noticed the difference when we went to Belgium and they told us they were "only serving dinner". What? You mean I can't have a coffee and watch people pass by? There is a problem there.

2. The pudding I get after dinner. It's fantastic. Layered caramel, vanilla and whipped cream, all in one little container. They are so good and I don't know where I will find them.

3. Stores just for cheese, meat or bread. What ever happened to those? I want to be able to go to a shop and get my camembert and a different store for my baguette. It makes sense for places to specialize in what they are good at. It's old fashioned, but it works.

4. Speaking French. I am finally getting good and now I have to leave back to a place where I will have no one to talk to. I don't want to lose everything I've learned.

5. The Eiffel Tower. It was the first thing I saw when I got here and it's going to be the last thing I see when I leave. I don't know what life will be like without it in my backyard.

This is obviously not everything I'm going to miss. I'm going to miss Angelina's Chocolat Chaud emporter. I'm going to miss considering bread and cheese to be lunch. I'm going to miss everything.

Mussels in Brussels

For one of my last weekends in Europe (sad I know) I went with friends to Belguim, land of waffles, fries and chocolate. It was such a fun weekend. I think the best part was staying in an apartment rather than a hostel. Having a home base made it so much better.

We got there early Friday, which gave us plenty of time to explore the Christmas market in Brussels. There was an abundance of food, including everything from mushrooms with garlic sauce to bratwurst. I like eating, so I felt right at home. Brussels has lots of beautiful architecture, which I got to see on my way to Delirium, land of flavored beers. I tried beer that tastes like mangoes, beer that tastes like cherries AND beer that tasted like apples. All in all a great day of eating and drinking. There was also an incredible light show in the main square that took my breath away.

Brussels!

Pink elephant mascot for a bar. Really?

No fries in the store

More eating was done the next day, starting at the Neuhaus chocolate factory. They sell their chocolate much cheaper there than in the stores so we made the journey. Also, you can sample all the chocolates you want, which meant we all ended up with stomach aches and leaving with no purchased chocolate. 

We then took the train to Brugge, a small town about an hour from Brussels. It was so beautiful there. Of course there was another Christmas market, filled with good food and drinks. Wandering around the town, we stumbled upon the most beautiful scene: a restaurant on the river had hung paper lanterns in their tree, which hung over the water. The buildings around were slightly lit and reflected in the calm water. It could not be made more perfect until 8 swans swam through. Brugge was so perfect.

Polar Bear at the Brussels train station

Beautiful Brugge

The next day meant another day in Brussels, but most of us weren't feeling well so we got kind of a late start. Sahar and I went skating at the Brussels Christmas market, which was so much fun! I hadn't been ice skating since I was a kid and didn't realize how much I missed it. It took a little while to get the hang of it again, but once I did, I didn't want to stop. Well that is until the muscles in my legs and back reminded me I have not been working them recently. For dinner we ended up having Mussels (in Brussels, haha). They were sooo good and so filling.

We got to the train station in plenty of time for our 9:30 train back to Paris. Unfortunately for us, the train we were supposed to take broke down before it even left the station. We were then put onto another train headed for Paris, which was already full. Obviously something that was not going to work. They then pulled up a new train for us, by this time it was already around 11:00, which was when we were supposed to have arrived back in Paris if our original train had been fine. There was a mad rush for the new train, which ended with us in first class. Not bad for a broken down train.

Though I am still exhausted from the weekend and still feeling sick, I think the weekend in Brussels was one of the most fun of the whole trip. Brussels is a great place and getting to be there with Cara, Sam and Sahar made it so much fun. Though I may not touch another fry for a while, it was a perfect way to spend one of my last weekends.

"A Smile is a Gift"

I may have already mentioned this before in a previous blog. So you can choose not to read this one if you want, but I suggest you stick around because it's going to be full of heartfelt prose. Maybe.

One of my very first days in Paris, when we were all bemoaning the phenomenon of unsmiling Parisians, one of our guides told us that in this fine city, "a smile is a gift." Unlike the United States, it is not doled out to just anyone. It is something that requires something special, which makes it all the more worth it to receive one.

For months I did my best Parisian, not smiling just because. This was extremely difficult for me. I didn't smile at the stranger on the street, like I would usually do (which is probably good because sometimes strangers in the street are creepy.) But the storekeepers, doormen and ticket takers didn't get the big ol' Kirsten smile, which shows all teeth I might add.

I kept this up for a long time, but recently I began to feel like a part of my personality was being stifled. I can't not smile. I am a happy person. And in my opinion, a smile can brighten up someone's day. I decided to make the change back to my usual self, smiling at those when I feel a smile coming on.

What I quickly learned that it was not just the smiles of others that were a gift, it was mine as well. When I smiled at someone, that was a little gift in their day. People at first seemed surprised, but were visibly happy about having someone smile at them. Because they are smiled at so rarely, it was almost shocking to them.

Moral of the story is: your smile is a gift. It is a gift that can brighten up someone's bad day. It can help them get through a rough patch. It can mend bridges and strengthen ties. Don't keep a smile to yourself, let it out. (Just make sure the person isn't crazy first.)

And now a little something to make you all smile:

Thanksgiving in Paris!

Today is (American) thanksgiving. Canada had theirs awhile ago so technically I already missed it but I remembered it was thanksgiving because everyone's statuses for the past 2 days have had something to do with eating and turkey. We had a thanksgiving lunch at school, which was really great. It made me miss thanksgiving at home with all the turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce. The food's not what is important though. Today got me really thinking about all the things that I am thankful for. I'm thankful for...

...getting to spend the last 3 months in Paris. This experience has changed my life so much. Every day when I walk down the street, I think about how truly lucky I am to be here. Every single experience has worked to turn me into a better, more intelligent person. I have changed so much since I have been here, more than I ever though was possible. I am so thankful for all the people who worked to help me get here. From driving me to my visa appointment to calming me down when I was freaking out.

...for my family. Thanks for being the only people to never judge me, even through my crazier phases. Also thanks for making me food and letting me sleep in until "a million o'clock."

...for my friends. It takes special people to put up with me. You all have added to my life and I love all of you. I would never trade any of you for anything in the world.

...easy laughs. Pizza. Good music. Smiles with strangers.

And since this wasn't a very Parisy blog, let me leave you with some pictures.

SANCTUARY!

I am supposed to be doing the reading for my class tomorrow, but instead I'm going to blog. Procrastinating? Maybe.

I made a list of all the things I have to do before I leave Paris because sadly, there is not much time left. I thought 4 months was going to seem long, but as the last 3 (and a bit) weeks lie ahead, I am filled with a incompleteness, as if I am missing something in this city before I have even left. In comes my type A personality with a list.

Today's items crossed off: The garden at Musee Rodin and The top of Notre Dame cathedral

To be perfectly honest, I don't know much about Rodin or his work. I know the Thinker... yah, I thought about it and that's all I know. Though I don't have a huge background in his work, I knew I wanted to see Rodin's thinker while I was here, so today we headed off to the gardens. Lucky for us, our student cards and visas get us into all museums and monuments for free.

The gardens were beautiful. Very well kept and, I was surprised to learn, not receiving funding from the government. The Thinker statue was right by the entrance, sandwiched between views of Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. We explored all the gardens and also had tea and breakfast (baguettes with butter and jam) at the small cafe on the grounds.

We headed from Musee Rodin to Notre Dame. I have been waiting for this day my whole life. I'm sure most kids loved Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. Most kids did not theme their birthday party after it. And I mean, I had my mom making a Quasimodo pinata and my dad working on grey frosting for the Notre Dame cake. Best. Birthday. EVER! Anyways, back to today. So I was pretty excited to go up where Quasimodo lives. We even got to go inside and see the big bell! And the gargoyles! It was definitely an amazing experience. Unfortunately it was a little foggy over the city today, but it didn't hurt the beautiful view.

Bored by the Pompidou

He gets to look at the Eiffel Tower every day

It's after days like this that I get scared to go back to the US. I'm scared of the culture shock. I am living in one of the most cultured places in the world. Manners are not optional, they are customary. I say bonjour when I enter a store and merci, au revoir when I leave. It's not a matter of being nice or not, it's just polite. I don't want to have to worry that I will be rushed from my table when I am finished eating at a restaurant. I want to be able to take my time and enjoy the company of those around me. I am scared I will no longer fit.

Night Walk

The Seine

Pont Alexandre

Shrouded Tour Eiffel

Concorde

Soccer Game!

As most of you know, I am not really an athlete. I don't have good coordination and I can't figure out the rules of pretty much any sport. But when in France, do what the French do. And that's go to a soccer game.

I already knew that I liked watching sports much more than playing them. The crowd definitely gets me more into the game (and I have a tendency to yell a lot). We sat on the French side which was great, I was definitely cheering for France. The stadium was gigantic! It was so neat to see so many people in one place!

Our view

they were doing the wave

France won 1-0 and I had a great time. What more can you ask from a Friday night?

The French way of Birthdays

This week I have gotten to experience French birthdays. Both my host dad and host sister has birthdays this week, which meant I got my full share of joyeux anniversaires. This is what I learned.

At least in this household, French birthdays are all about the little things. Like making someone's favorite foods for dinner. I wanted to make sure I didn't let these two big days go without a symbol of my gratitude for their including me in their family for the past 3 months.

Yesterday Ines turned 16. I didn't know what to get her so I figured what I knew everyone likes, flowers. I stopped by a flower stand I like on my way home from school and picked up some gorgeous pink dipped roses. I also attempted to write her a card in French, thanking her for including me in the family. Just a small gift. I have never seen someone so excited to receive a card and 4 roses. She showed them to the whole family, who all gushed over them like they were made of gold. It felt so nice to bring someone that much happiness with such a small gift.

Her mother made Ines' favorite meal for dinner, a smoked salmon starter and ravioli. At the end, an apple tart was brought out spotted with 6 pink candles. Ines smiled and blushed as we sang to her, finally ending her embarrassment by blowing out the candles (with a little help from her younger sister). She then made sure to show me the dress and perfume she got for her special day, each gift just as special as the last.

I then found out today was Monsieur's birthday. What to do for a man you don't really talk to on his big day. Flowers would not be fitting at all, so I settled on a card. I again wrote a nice thing in French inside (well at least as much french as I knew) thinking that might be a nice gesture. Again, the whole family was excited about the card, before it was even opened. "What a nice red envelope!" Madame and Monsieur kept saying, as if it was the nicest envelope to ever hold a card. He loved the card and was so happy I remembered his birthday.

I guess this is my extremely over detailed and long winded way of saying we all need to remember that everything is a gift. It is not about how many presents you get or how many people you don't talk to comment on your Facebook wall telling you to have a "great birthday". It's about the phone call from your Grandma to wish you a wonderful birthday, like she has every year previous. It is not about getting a new iPod and car and whatever other thing you think you need. It is your mom/sister/boyfriend/ roommate cooking you the food you love, even if it is foods that should never go together. The French are all about the little pleasures, not the grand displays, and maybe we all need a little bit of that in our lives.

Eurotrip 2011

So as many of you may already know (or could have guessed from my absence of blogs) I have been away on vacation. I know, how can you vacation when you are already pretty much on vacation? Well we had a week long break from classes, so we decided to take advantage of it and go travelling.

I feel that I might have been putting this blog off for a little while because how can one possibly write about a whole 9 days off? The entry would be far too long and no one would want to sit through it. Tackling this problem, I have decided to just give the highlights from every place. If you want to know more, all you have to do is ask!

Stop #1: Oxford
I am absolutely in love with Oxford. From the minute we got off the bus, I knew that I was going to be happy the whole time we were there. Surrounded by fall, Oxford could never have been more beautiful. Some of the best parts were definitely getting shown around by locals we had made friends with. We definitely got to hear all about the neat traditions and buildings from a different perspective. We also got to see the Harry Potter staircase and dining hall!! The nerd in me nearly died.

Dining Hall. Real students get to eat here!

So in Oxford, they have these things called "bops", which are basically college parties. We decided to go to one on Saturday night. Great idea, except when you get there after they've stopped letting guests in. Luckily for us, we came up with a plan. After walking along the surrounding wall, and when I say wall I mean a big serious stone wall. All I can say is whoever put that sign at perfect step up height was not expecting 3 people to use it to climb over the wall. Too bad once we were over that wall, there was still a fence in our way. Luckily for us, there was also a building with doors, which was a much easier access point. Pretty sure the people who left the doors unlocked weren't expecting people to use them to sneak in, but so we did. Was this bop worth breaking into? That may be debatable, but I had so much fun dancing to really old songs and it is still my favorite memory from Oxford.

Stop #2: London
For anyone ever travelling to England, don't do what we did. Give yourselves lots of time rather than just a day and a bit. I think I would have loved London much more if I had gotten a chance to see more of it. Though we didn't have much time, we made the most of it with a double decker bus tour of the city. Nerd alert: we also did a Harry Potter walking tour. We also drank a lot of tea, which I always love.

Big Ben isn't so Big

Trafalgar Square

So the London hostel was the most terrible place ever. And safety bear Kirsten also thinks it was a fire hazard. We did not want to stay there so our second night we decided to stay out all night. It was halloween after all. I have never had so much fun dancing all night. I love dancing, so the more time, the better. Unfortunately that's not quite the case when you have to catch the bus to the train station to catch another bus to the airport to catch a plane to Dublin REALLY early the next morning. We also could only take one tiny bag, so I had layered 3 shirts, which is never a cute look. I am honestly surprised security let us through in our  unshowered mess. Moral of the story: always shower before going through customs.

Stop #3: Dublin
I am Irish so I think it might be in my blood to love Ireland, even though it's not in me to love potatoes. Dublin itself is not the most beautiful city in the world, but it does have a certain charm. It's like that girl you say is sweet and funny because she's not really pretty? That's Dublin. It's not pretty, but it is quirky and fun in it's own way. But they did not lie about the rain. It rained the whole time we were there, without fail. And me without my umbrelly.

view from inside ruins of a church 

Temple Bar

Bridge from PS I Love You

Because we had so long in Dublin, we went on a bus tour of the Wicklow, the close by country side. So beautiful. Good thing it rains so much because all the green makes for a pretty picture. Wicklow has been the filming location for many movies, including PS I Love You and Braveheart. It is also home to Daniel Day Lewis and Michael Jackson apparently wanted to move here at one time to escape the paparazzi. The bus tour of Wicklow was so breathtaking. But I think one of the best things was coming back into Dublin and getting a Guinness at one of the 900 pubs and listening to some Irish music.

Stop #4: Amsterdam, Holland
Okay so I'm just going to say it: I don't really like Amsterdam. Maybe it was because it was at the end of the trip. Maybe I was just too tired. Maybe it was because we went to the wrong places. Unfortunately it added up to me not being Amsterdam's biggest fan. Poor Amsterdam never had a chance, but lucky for me, we went to Utrecht as well which was so much better. It is the cutest little town I have ever seen. It follows a canal and is so beautiful.

Houseboats!

So I would have to say my favorite part of Amsterdam was actually leaving to go to Utrecht, where I got to eat delicious fries and see some amazing live music. The first night we listened to a band in this cool little bar. The second night I heard the sound of my favorite Kings of Leon song in the distance and followed it to find a young man playing guitar for a big crowd of people. And he was good.  There is nothing that I love more than a voice that can actually push me to tears.

I had such an amazing time on this trip and wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. One of the best parts was coming back to Paris and falling in love with the city all over again.