Day1- Made it to Paris and back to Charlottes apartment from the train station. Charlotte, the goddess she is, took us to our hotel as we each have 3 bags minimum and are a mess getting anywhere with Paris’ tiny sidewalks and busy public roads. But we got there and met our group. Our day was a boat tour on the Seine, some free time, and then a nice dinner at a French restaurant with lots of aperitif and wine- but hey! C’est la France! And it’s paid by tuition! So drink up!
Day 2- Morning walking tour of the neighborhood around the Sourbonne. Then a tour of the Pantheon that I’d never been to so that was cool. Lunch at a creperie where we all drank cider as we enjoyed a salted and sweet crepe! We had the afternoon free so I met up with Charlie; her and Shana and I went to the Centre Pompidou where we saw some really weird art but also some nice Picasso, Kandinsky and others. We met Charlotte’s friend and sat in a bar until we had to meet the group for dinner. Dinner was traditional French- we drank lots of wine and didn’t get home until almost midnight.
Day 3- In the morning we had a tour of the Louvre. I’ve never had a guided tour of the Louvre, so that was nice, but we did basically only see the highlights. We had lunch at Angelinas! So fancy! We had so much white-hot chocolate and pastries we were all on a sugar high/so full. Then we went to the Orangerie, which is probably my new favorite museum. The Monet water lilies are amazing. We hung out and then it was off to the Jazz Club for dinner. Nathalie (the woman in charge of us here) said it was okay if Charlotte came, which was awesome. We had the most amazing diner, with live music playing, and Charlotte getting to know the group. It was a great last evening in Paris!
Day 4- We had a morning museum visit at the Cezanne exhibit at the Musee du Luxemburg. Then we had a nice lunch then cabs to the train to Dijon! Getting all our bags on the train and off the train then the 10 minute walk to the University of Puget Sound apartment was interesting and tiring but we did it. Unfortunately my host family isn’t here this weekend so I waited for all the other students to get picked up. It was weird how nervous we all were- sitting waiting for the buzzer to ring which meant another one of us was meeting their family. It was like an orphanage- with just me waiting at the end, how sad. Just kidding, it was fine. Nathalie took me in a taxi to my host family’s house where my host mom’s brother is staying and will be here until they come back. This house is amazing. 3 stories high, all modern with art everywhere. My room is huge with big mirrors on one wall and a desk, couch, fireplace (that doesn’t actually work but is still pretty) and window. Can’t wait to explore the city and get to know Dijon!!!
Sounds wonderful love! Even though you have done Paris many....many.... times before, it it always fun when you are with people who have never seen something. A new prospective!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how crazy it was to wait for your pick-up in Dijon! Like having to wait to open a big christamas present. You know it will be good, but how good? It might be kind of nice that your family aren't there right away. It lets you get settled in and unpacked before having to dive to life in France. I expect pictures of your room and the house soon!!
Xx