orientation week.

For those of you who read my blog, I’m still alive don’t worry! To say that I have been busy this past week would be a gross understatement. From an overly packed orientation week to exploring Paris to settling into my new apartment, it’s been difficult trying to find the time to blog about my recent whereabouts.

Last Wednesday, I got to move into my mansion, palace, penthouse, studio apartment in the 14th arrondissement. Don’t worry; pictures to come once I pick up my discarded wardrobe selections off the floor and clean the dishes (Mom, I swear I’m not a slob). I was pleasantly surprised to find that my pad was much bigger than I was expecting: a bathroom with my own shower, a personal kitchenette area, a large window overlooking a quaint park, and a spacious living room. To add to my new love for the place, I’m only a 20 minute walk from the IES center, providing me with a great morning and afternoon stroll. And side note to all those who doubted me: I have yet to get lost!

After a grueling all-day orientation, ninety something jet-lagged college students were shuttled out to the beach and took over Normandy for the weekend. We visited a war museum and got to check out the American cemetery in which the American soldiers who died during D-Day are buried.

Beaches of Normandy

Exploring the town of Normandy

American Cemetery

As the end of orientation week draws to a close, we’re anticipating our class schedules for the semester. And from what I can see so far: a bunch of Art History classes and a Sociology class at a local university. We’ve also been cramming our heads with forgotten prepositional phrases and irregular verb conjugations. Highlight of my French speaking skills thus far: using that one phrase I thought I would never actually need from my beginning days of speaking French: Où est le bibliothèque? (Translation: where is the library?)

Other than that, I have been taking advantage of the good weather (80’s this weekend!), wandering the streets of Paris trying not to get hit by the erratic French drivers and trying not to get hit on by the erratic French men.

Casey: shout out.

les grands magasins.

Trying to find a happy medium between going on a guided tour (my parents’ wish) and venturing out into the city on our own (my wish), we settled on checking out the Galeries Lafayette, a Mecca for every shopping enthusiast that ever existed… ever.

On our way to the Metro stop, we came across a well-known graveyard in our arrondissement, an attraction due to the many famous people buried there.

The graveyard was breathtaking: it was spotless, beautiful, and peaceful. No eeriness or darkness lingered about. In fact, many Parisians, who had no loved ones to visit, could still be spotted sitting at the various benches, appreciating the soothing tranquility of the area.

As we took the Metro towards our destination, we passed the Gare Saint-Lazare (shout out to my boy Monet), which only made me more excited for the many, many Art History classes I will undoubtedly rush to sign up for during class registration next week.

We finally found ourselves at the doors of the Galerie Lafayette, and impressed we were.

To start, it was gigantic. And ornate. And had every major designer known to mankind. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more ridiculous, you went up to the 6th floor and learned that Gucci created a line for toddlers.

Mon dieu.

All in all, it was a fun, albeit exhausting, experience, ending perfectly with a jasmine green tea in the basement of yet another department store. As the evening crept up, I was more than a little drained, feet dragging down the cobblestone streets of Paris, probably looking a little more Quasimodo than Chanel. But alas, I walked away, purchases in hand (Viken, my “Zelda” boots have officially been replaced), extremely content.

Next on the agenda: tomorrow, I finally get to move into my apartment (read: here’s to hoping I can fit all my clothes and luggage into my little Parisian studio)!

hello from paris!

After a series of uncomfortable flights with minimal leg room and a fidgety neighbor to my front who insisted on reclining his chair all the way back, I stepped off the plane only slightly haggard to greet the warm Parisian sunshine and one too many bags waiting for me at baggage claim. But despite my travel weariness, I’m happy to write that I have arrived in Paris!

Today, determined to conquer my jet lag, I pushed through my slumber and joined my family in exploring the winding streets of Paris, stopping for a café crème here and there. Post-brunch (a very, very rich omelette I might add. Jack—they use even more butter in their eggs than you do.), we meandered through La Musée d’Art Moderne.

La Fée Eletricité by Raoul Dufy

La Dance inachevée by Henri Matisse

We emerged from the museum energized, caffeine pumping through our veins, to find a charming open marketplace on the sidewalk. Surprisingly, unlike many of the kitchy street vendors I usually see around San Francisco, each shop seemed to only sell high-end, vintage goods, ranging from tapestries to furniture to silverware to antiquated, film cameras.

(Vanessa: photography!)

Our feet quickly growing weary, we ended our day walking up the Champs-Elysées up to the l’Arc de Triomphe.

One of the more amusing moments of the day: one store on the Champs-Elysées boasted an extremely long, winding line of overeager shoppers standing behind velvet rope. Curious to catch the name of the exclusive, popular Parisian boutique, I approached the majestic, iron gates equipped with three well-dressed, burly security guards. You can imagine my surprise when I read the sign which read…

Abercrombie & Fitch.

Now I’m not one to pass judgment, but I will say… interesting choice Parisians.

I’m proud to say I’ve successfully avoided succumbing to my jet lag and inviting bed, and as it has been over 24 hours since I last slept, bonsoir from Paris!

to my dear friends and family,

As many of you know, I will be jetting off to Paris this Fall! For those of you interested in my European whereabouts, I’ve decided to keep this blog to both document my travels as well as let you all know that I am alive and well (Mom, stop worrying). I hope to bump into those of you wandering Europe this semester, but as for the rest, see you in 2012!

Gros bisous,
Leslie