Lo and behold, the past week has had beautiful, sunny, and warm days. Leaving will be harder than I thought! While I've been spending a considerable amount of time inside, studying for my exams and writing, I've managed to get outside and walk around a fair amount this week.
On Wednesday after my last class, I went to Saint Chapelle on Ile de la Cite, something I've been meaning to do for months. The line was very long, mainly because there is a full security check inside. The reason for this is that the French Supreme Court is in the same courtyard as the church, so once you are on church property, you are on French Government property as well. A funny moment: my bag went off in the x-ray, and I wondered to myself what I could possibly have in there that was a high alert...Out of my bag comes the curling iron that I had borrowed from a friend that morning. The security guard gave it a quizzical look and after explaining that it was for my hair, he shrugged and let me through. Oh, French security -- only the best!
Saint Chapelle has the most glorious stained-glass windows I've ever seen. I remember visiting once when I was younger, and loving it. On this particular day, the sun was out full-force, and the light was coming through the windows to produce an incredible effect: beautiful colorful kaleidoscopes all over the tiled floors. We spent some time taking pictures and admiring the artwork and colors, and then headed out. We walked through the island towards Notre Dame and Saint Michel, and then headed home.
On Friday morning, after having studied at Morgan's and spent the night there, we woke up to another amazingly crisp and clear day. We had to stop by my apartment before going to the library for a study session, and decided to walk because it was so nice out. On the way, we stopped at a fountain in Square Lamartine (in the 16e) that is known all throughout Paris for having the freshest water in the city. After filling our waterbottles, we walked down the hill, through Trocadero and past the Eiffel Tower, and along the Seine to my apartment. It was nice to spend even an hour outside on such a nice day, and not let it go to waste.
Today, I had my Sorbonne Exam (yes, on a Saturday!) in a Parisian suburb. Not wanting to start studying again right away, we went to the Marais and got Falafels and gelato, a wonderful treat (my stomach is acting up a little but it's worth it). On the way there, we walked through Ile Saint-Louis and Rue de Rivoli, and stopped in some cute shops along the way. On the way back home, we stopped to listen to a street-performing jazz band for a while, and then headed to the Metro. I am currently taking a wee study break, and tonight will say goodbye to a French friend of mine since I won't have any time during the week. Saying au revoir is hard to do! It makes leaving more real. But more and more, I am so excited to come home :)
For some AMAZING pictures of Saint Chapelle and pretty days in Paris this week, check out the albums! -->
PS - forgot to mention that last night, as I was studying at Morgan's around 10 pm, we heard a monstrous whirring sound, and several people shrieking. The 16e, where Morgan lives, is a very peaceful and quiet neighborhood, so of course we rushed out to the balcony to see what the commotion was. Down below on the boulevard, there were THOUSANDS of people rollerblading together, some wearing silly glowstick costumes, others funny hats, and followed by police vans and police on bikes! Rollerblading in unison is a popular form of entertainment in Paris, but usually, the weekly rollerblading frenzies are during the day. This was very interesting and highly entertaining to watch...as well as bizarre! Video below!:
2 comments:
Great entry and what a video! Were the police involved in the rollerblading soiree or were they simply shepherding the glow stick attired participants? What a noise. Bizarre is a good descriptive word. Sounds like this is a common activity...just not at night?! Are they going fast? Any casualties? Inquiring minds want to know.
Best to you,
Heidi
The police follow behind to make sure no one gets hurt or that things don't get too out of hand, I believe. I think that some medical vans follow as well because accidents are common. Usually this is a common activity, I think it goes on once a week during the day, in fact! Very strange, you'd have to pay me a lOT to join in haha it's really dangerous they go so fast!
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