The Exploration Begins

Yesterday was our first exploration of the actual city of Paris. We all started the day with a two-hour bus ride tour of the entire city, which at first seems cliché, but was an excellent way to become re-oriented with Paris. It reminded me how small the city actually is, which is so nice, because everything is entirely accessible.
We started the bus tour at the Bastille, and then drove all the way down Rue de Rivoli past Musee du Louvre. The street is very busy and lively, and is flanked by the most beautiful old buildings. I had forgotten just how big the Louvre is! I am so excited to spend hours inside as part of my Art History course, and otherwise. We also passed Jardin des Tuileries before heading North.
We then passed Place Vendome, which is a beautiful square surrounded by a circular set of buildings, where the Paris Ritz is housed. It was interesting because our French tour guide, Mirec, gave us the history of all the places we passed. He mentioned that Louis XIV began to build this Place as a monument of his reign, but couldn’t afford to complete the buildings. He only commissioned the façade to be built, and then sold the spaces behind to the wealthy eschelon who could afford to also build their own homes behind it. I find history like this amazing. The country was so poorly budgeted by Kings like Louis XIV, who loved their opulence, but spent so much on these buildings that they left later generations to suffer. I suppose, however, that I am benefitting now from such beautiful scenery!
We circled around the Palais Garnier, where we are going to see a ballet by a Yugoslavian director in March. I am so excited! It is probably the most beautiful theater I have ever seen, and such a wonderful setting for a ballet.
We finished the first leg of the tour by circling Place de la Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, and the Arc de Triomphe, and then stopped for a bit at Trocadero to see views of the Eiffel Tower. It is interesting because you only feel like you are in Paris once you see the Tour Eiffel, but it hasn’t really been a symbol of France for all that long…it was only built in the 19th century. But it was exciting nonetheless. We finished the tour then by rounding the Eiffel Tower and passing the Ecole Militaire and Invalides, and then drove all the way down Boulevard St. Germain and across the Pont de Sully to the Bastille again!
After this exciting trip, I felt so much better oriented, and I feel like I can really see everything. I traced the route on a map, and realistically, everything is within walking range.

I went for lunch with a few girls at a Brasserie across from the Gare de Lyon, and then we walked all the way across the river and over to Ile de la Cite down the Seine. It was a very cold day, but it was so beautiful that it didn’t matter. We went into Notre Dame, which was very crowded but so beautiful, and then met up with some other USC students to walk back. We returned through Ile Saint-Louis, which is such a picturesque little place, and then up to Bastille area.

Last night, several of us went to a club in the Bastille area called Le Wax. It was a dance club and very entertaining. It is so funny how the French (and Europeans in general) love using little English words in day-to-day vocabulary and phrases, such as Le Wax, or “Super-cool,” etc. They also played mostly American music, which was fun, but in the future I’ll definitely want to go to more authentic places, and jazz clubs.

This morning, my dorm roommate and I went to a morning mass at the neighborhood church, Saint-Antoine. It was very beautiful, and even the small neighborhood churches are ornate and have beautiful architecture. It was also fun to see all the local people and hear the sermon in Francais (as well as good practice). Although it was a different language, however, it reminded me how much religion is based on symbolism and gesture, because even someone without French proficiency to any degree could have followed along.
In the afternoon, we went to le Marais, which is the Jewish/gay district. I didn’t notice much of either, but it is one of the few places that stays busy on Sundays here, and a close walk from our dorms. We explored the little shops, and then had a café at L’Etoile Manquant, a great people-watching spot on the Rue Vieille du Temple. On the way back, we passed through Place de Voges, which is an absolutely beautiful square in the 3rd Arrondisement.

Now, I am sitting in my room, about to go downstairs to take a taxi to Madame Poidevin’s. I am so nervous to meet her! I hope she likes me…. I have to practice the following: “Bonjour Madame! Je ne peux pas manger le gluten..donc, la farine de blé ou de l’orge.”

I think I’ve got it. More later on la residence de Madame!