Bonjour tout le monde!
It's been a while since I've last blogged, but here I am again to share my joy that is formerly known as Paris. [Note: no vlogs for a while...my internet connection in my apartment is too slow to upload videos]
Just so you know, Paris is not all about kissing on a bridge on the Seine, playing the accordion to a traditional love song, nor is it only about sitting in the Jardin du Luxeumbourg and eating chocolates. For a student, there is a lot more to Paris than the eye may see. For example, there are classes to be taken.
Books to be read.
Films to be watched.
Since the last time I've spoked of my schedule, I've changed around a lot of things. There's Spoken and Written Contemporary French (which are both so great, and so different from being taken at NYU in New York), and art history, and a quite interesting European Society and Cinema class.
In my cinema class, I've already watched three movies: Good Bye, Lenin!, The Magdalene Sisters, and Promets-Moi AKA Zavet. All three films are fairly current, and all give a great insight into European Society (hence the name of the class) in a very different light than what shallow history books have revealed to me in the past. The complexities of the fall of Communism, the great power of Swedish furniture, and the sheer madness of Catholicism. Of all these movies, I highly suggest you watch Good Bye, Lenin! because of its hopeful optimism regarding one of the most dramatic periods of time in European history.
Art history is extremely enlightening. Once a week we go on a trip to a museum or an architecturally-chic neighborhood in Paris. Nice to get a history lesson in the most artful place in the world. Right? Can't we agree that some phenomenal feats in art occurred in Ol' Paris?
Is it difficult all being en français? Surprisingly not. If you make the effort to pay attention, it's really no big issue.
The classes here in NYU are really shaped to help you sink your teeth into the culture and history of Paris. Not only do you learn the language, but you learn about the society too. What better way to keep a firm grip in a foreign country than indulge completely in their traditions and lifestyles? I, for instance, have eaten many desserts.
It's difficult to avoid!
A little bit down the street from school there is a little bakery that has a formule for lunch (a very common thing in France) where it's a great lunch deal. You get a main course, a drink, and a dessert. That's usually the case in other brasseries or restos. In this bakery, it's a sandwich (they're usually almost half a baguette's worth -- yes, a long baguette), a drink, and any dessert for the cheap price of 5€. That's right. The sandwiches alone are 3€+ and desserts cost up to 3€ as well. But here, it's all so worth it.
So how can you not do the formule? What a tragedy to pass up such a great opportunity with finely constructed sandwiches and heavenly desserts!
I have not yet been disappointed with what I've eaten here in Paris (knock on wood), however, it is necessary to be wary of what you consume in such a decadent city. Not only in regards to food, but with everything! Paris sucks the money from your pockets. Postcards are expensive, water is expensive (hello, wine), and clothes have gone back to being pricey again. But then again, that never stops some people.
Don't tell anyone, but yesterday I "accidentally" spent 6€ on jam. I went inside the Marché de Passy, which is a gathering of fresh food stands. Like a little farmer's market. I went to the center with the small boulangerie stand (which is stupid, I already have a boulangerie) and looked at their homemade fruited, handmade jarred jams. Fraises au menthe. Mmmm...as I eyed it, realizing the jam I bought was running low, the lady comes up to me and offers to package it up for me.
Well, sure, I say to her. Go ahead.
That will be 6€.
...Merde.
Note to self: never be afraid to ask, ça c'est combien?
Now I finally understand this statue:
