Dag Paris, Hallo Amsterdam!

I will be out of country this weekend and escaping yet another slew of strikes in Paris to go to Amsterdam until Monday. This is the first week I've felt a bit homesick because I enjoy Halloween and all the crazy costumes, over-the-top decorations, and leftover 75% candy bins at CVS it brings every October.  Today in Paris, the weather is abnormally warm for this time of year. I also went to the Peter III Bridge--pretty spectacular, so much so that it made me not miss the States anymore.

Nevertheless, I am very excited for my trip to Amsterdam--it is rumored to be cheaper than Paris and have great stores, architecture, art museums and of course, night life. So far, my friends and I are planning on hopefully going to the Heinekein Museum, Anne Frank House and the Van Gough Museum. Never thought those three places would be put in a sentence together, let alone be in the same vicinity.

Great song called "Amsterdam" by Peter, Bjorn and John



....and for Halloween(even though it has nothing to do with the holiday): Spooky by Classics IV


Bon week-end tout le monde!!!!

-Meg-

Mediterranean Lovestruck Shades of Blue

Greetings from sunny albeit cold Paris! I just came back from the Cote d'Azur, or famously known as the French Riviera.  My roommates and I had planned this weekend getaway back during the first week of September--little did we all know it was exactly what the three of us all needed.

To give everybody an idea of what France and Paris has been like for two months...the whole country has been protesting due to Sarkozy's "brash" decision to move the retirement age from 60 to 62.  The metros in Paris are more crowded, smell worse and are delayed more than they already are.  Shop windows have been shattered, tear gas has been thrown and bystander Americans have been warned. If you don't believe me, check out the front page of the NYTimes.com or tune in to ABC's World News Tonight.

Essentially, Parisians and Frenchies alike are protesting almost every week and its affecting transportation and my patience immensly.

Fed up with the whole stiffled morale in France, Heather, Lindsey and I jetted off to Charles de Gaulle for a hour flight to Nice.  We were greeted with blue skies, Mediterranean climate and people smiling(Parisiens, like New Yorkers and myself, do not smile often).  After a 15 minute bus ride to a nearby stop, we were picked up in a van by a dreadlock-sporting, Bob Marley tri-colored cap wearing guy from Manchester, England of all places.  The hostel we checked into(yes Mom and Dad, your daughter stayed in a hostel) is rated one of the top 5 hostels in the world--it's called the Villa Saint Exupery.  I stayed in a 12 person room including Heather and Lindsey.

After checking into our hostel, we headed down to walk around the city of Nice.  I could not believe how much Nice reminded me of Italy's prized Amalfi Coast.  Most of the buildings were brightly colored, like those found in the sun drenched piazza's in the various Italian cities and towns I traveled to last January.

The first place my roommates and I went to was Cours Saleya, which is the largest fruit and flower market in all of France. If I can appreciate one thing and one thing only from the European lifestyle, it is the abudance of markets it has.  Nothing is more enjoyable then walking around a martket on a lazy day looking at the local produce and products the vendors have to offer.

From the market, we made our way to the beach.  The beaches in Nice, are unlike every beach I've ever seen or been to because instead of sand, it has gray rocks.  Four hours later of sun tanning sans sunblock(whoops), we went back to the hostel to check out happy hour. When my roommates and I saw 1 euro beers and cocktails for under 5 euro we were sold.

We settled down in the large dining area(which was basically transformed into a lounge), we scouted out a group of 5 or so people.  Turns out they were Australian and were willing to play the drinking game Heather, Lindsey and I wanted to play.  It was a great night and a good end to the first day in Nice.

Day Two of our French Riviera vacation was a repeat of the day before: wake up, walk around town, tan for 4+ hours, shower, dinner and hang out downstairs at our hostel.  This second night we met another group of Australians--they were two childhood friends who decided to travel around Europe for 3 months.  They were so friendly and very easy to relate to--my roommates and I are trying to get the two of them to visit us in Paris soon.

Day Three was welcomed with some unpleasant news: our train had been cancelled to, of course, the protests/strike in France. On a whim, we tracked down the nearest AVIS, rented a car and started our trek from Nice to Paris. We stopped at Monaco and Monte Carlo to see the casino and of course, how wealthy the place is said to be.  A simple way to describe Monaco and Monte Carlo is pure luxury.  I have never seen so many yachts and $300,000+ cars in a condensed area.  Monaco was a picturesque detour, but I've realized that I prefer Nice and the laid back atmosphere it provides its visitors with.

After Monaco, we went from the sea side to the mountain side.  The famous road we were on for the majority of the trip is called Route Napoleon. The history behind this road is really interesting..here's a link to give more information on it: Route Napoleon History.

The only way to describe this 14 hour ride, was an experience of a lifetime.  The landscapes I witnessed are too sublime to capture with words.  I was in a state of euphoria seeing the natural beauty of The Alps.  To futher one's visual attempt to picture my ride back, it is the same road, landscapes and towns that is on the Tour de France when the participants are climbing The Alps.  Interestingly enough, that part is not only the most aesthistetically pleasing section, it is also considered the most grueling part of the event.

At 2 a.m. I finally arrived back in my apartment here in Paris.  Exhausted, I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed with relief as I finally achieved my goal of getting a healthy tan from the greatest weekend getaway one could possibly have in the middle of a national strike.

Until next time...
bisous,
Meg

French Riviera and The Alps

My weekend getaway to the French Riviera & a road trip through The Alps

Paris Fashion Week

And now for a 180 turn from my last post....

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer Collections for 2010 has kicked off!

Models,photographers and fashionistas alike have invaded the city. Here is a clip from The Devil Wears Prada showing Paris at night during Fashion Week. Enjoy! ---> The Devil in Prada goes to Paris

PS-I will be "camping out" near my favorite designers shows today and the rest of the week. Hopefully I will get to see the one and only Kate Moss (bonus points if I see Naomi Campbell), Daria Werbowy, and possibly Kanye West and Pharell.

This picture is plastered all over magazine stands this week. Famous Kate Moss picture by the great Peter Lindbergh.

Sans brushing..love it.

Daria.

Degas, Renoir, Boldini, oh my!

Yesterday I revisted my favorite museum of all time--Musee D'Orsay.  Once a train station, Musee D'Orsay is now a mecca for priceless works of art that come with a long rap sheet of famous artists--hence the title of this post.

The museum is also one of my fondest memories of my first visit to Paris when I was 16 visitng my sister abroad.  A large, glossy book about the museum is now nestled in the open cabinets in the living room of my house.

"Art is an abstraction, take it from nature while dreaming from it."

-Paul Gaugin, French Post-Impressionist artist

My appreciation for art museums has been a steady work of progress throughout my life so far. Oftentimes I would sit down at museums and rarely look at the art--this was when I was little and I was generally unappreciative of most things in my life. My art ephiphany started when my parents took me to see the John Singer Sargent exhibit at The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. My eyes came upon the great and scandalous "Madame X" and the whimsical "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose." I thought it was magical--I have never seen a person convey such a beauty in a painting--and those colors...I was sold.

Fast forward some odd 12 years--I'm standing infront of Giovanni Boldini's "Madame Charles Max." I've found a new favorite painter. The painting is done is shades of pearl, light blue, grays and white--colors that come together to be ethereal and graceful.  I want to be this woman in this painting--or atleast have the dress.

Another painting that caught my eye was Charles Cottet's "Au pays de la mer." At first glance, I thought it was a painting of a funeral, but it is really a family at a dinner table dressed in the most dole colors. It is a heavy-hearted painting. Sadness is deeply rooted in the family--their shoulders are hunched and nobody makes contact with each other. Everybody is in their own world of misery--the only life in the photo is the food on the table that remains untouched.  The woman's face shows an individual who is alone and has been forgotten--"attention must be paid" to her expression(Arthur Miller reference for all you American lit fans). It is the polar opposite of Norman Rockwell's jovial depicition of the American family in "Freedom from want." 

As I was strolling in and out of the exhibits at the Musee D'Orsay, I questioned what type of art do I prefer. Sure I have my favorite artists and I like color(or in the previous painting--lack there of). I found myself spending more time on the solo portraits and paintings with a group of people. There is something about people's eyes that are so powerful. I believe they are the only true way to know how a person is feeling. This leads me to my next favorite painting--"Madame Jeantaud au miroir" by Degas.

It is another powerful painting, but I think the message is incredible. The woman is dressed in fine garb and all made up but she sees an very distorted representation of herself. She refuses to even consider herself as beautiful and is blindsided by self-doubt. I think for many people this is a common personal belief--maybe even more so in today's society where apperances are oftentimes more valued than their substance of character.

From the morose to the mystical, the third painting I have chosen is "Solitude" by Thomas Alexander Harrison.  There is not a lot of variety of colors in the painting, dark navys and greens, almost borderline black; but the one spot of light in the painting is the wooden cream boat with the naked person standing up in it.  The other source of light is a natural one; a beam of light illuminates the paddle of the oar.  I think Harrison captured a private moment of somebody releasing themselves (maybe just momentarily) to nature.  The person is one with their surrounding, or really just one with nature--what a beautiful thing.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Bonjour tout le monde! I have not posted in awhile--I've been tres stresse(very busy/stressed). Tomorrow the weekend starts at 12:45 pm sharp aka after my architecture ends. I think the plan for the evening is to walk around, shop, eat...etc.

As most of you do not know..I went to Deauville and Trouville over the weekend. The two neighboring towns are in the Normany region of France--so they are beach towns. Deauville means "Watertown" since d'eau means water in French.  I have to post pictures--my mom informed me that my pictures that I said were working in the last post are not unavailable. I sincerely apologize..I have to fix it ASAP.

Mes colocataires(roommates) et moi

Naturally dressed in all black and high boots.

A little preview of Deauville.

Bon journee!(Have a good day)

Friday in the Palais

For the older set(and when I mean older, I mean anybody who listented to Chicago on the radio during that time), Saturday in the Park was a popular song for jazz/rock band Chicago before they turned Carnival Cruise on us all.

So what does Chicago have to do with this blog post? I thought the lyrics applied to my experience at the Jardin du Luxembourg this afternoon.

Friday in the palais, 
I think it was the Fourth of September
Friday in the palais,
I think it was the Fourth of September
People smoking, people laughing, 
A woman selling crepes
Singing French songs
Can you dig it (oui, I can) 
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Friday in the palais


The main building in Jardin du Luxembourg is Palais du Luxembourg--so palais replaced the "park" in this stanza for the song.

Unreal.

So about my afternoon....

Jardin du Luxembourg is magnificent in every single way--it is as if somebody put their paintbrush in the most brilliant colors and painted the wide array of flowers.  The Palais stands tall and grand with the French flag waving proudly in the calm wind. The terraces are sprinkled with olive green metal chairs perfect for lounging, sun bathing, etc.  There are also ivory colored statues dotted around the area with leafy side paths that provide shade.  Infront of the Palais there is a large circular fountain where kids tend to play around.  There is also a huge "quad" if you will--I guess its really a garden/grass type layout. It also has a few structures to provide the eye with a couple of focal points...but I have to admit it is hard to take ones eyes off of the brilliant flowers. I sat for about 40 minutes just watching the sun setting on the trees and the garden itself.  I was also people-watching(a Parisian artform) and saw young and elderly couples, kids and people my age just relaxing, talking or having a picnic. Everybody was taking advtange of the beyond perfect day in Paris that afternoon--it was the place to be.

Apres le jardin du Luxembourg, my roommates and I walked around the never-disappointing 6th arrondisement.  We grabbed dinner and saw a terrible live performance of Michael Jackson songs. We went passed the guy performing, and just my luck, he touches me on the shoulder as I walk past and starts singing to me. I sprinted away from him..literally. My roommates thought it was funny.  After the Michael Jackson impersonator tried to impersonate what Michael Jackson has been accussed of (well not to that extent) we got gelatto. I got the Strattiatella(butchered spelling)..it's chocolate chip.

Soooo.....

Here is the link to the photos because my post doesn't even begin to capture the beauty of Jardin du Luxembourg--->Pictures!!!! I recommend watching it in slideshow format--the pictures are bigger!

PS-Have fun with Earl! Only kidding.

Booze I mean Boat cruise on the Seine Tonight

Wish me luck.

Awkwardddddd

Tuileries Tuesday

I started classes on Lundi(Monday)--everything has been going really smoothly.  All my classes are interesting and I like all my professors. The commute is incredibly easy--I take the 9 line to Pont des Sevres, then transfer at Republique and get the 11 line to Chatalet and get off at Rambeteau, so it's about a 20 minute commute.

One of my classes--History of Haute Couture is very intriguing...my teacher is a D-I-V-A. And I mean that in the best way possible--he's really funny, petite man who is impeccibly dressed and is so fashionable.  It's an entertaining class.  And if you were wondering what his name is..it's Jean Claude. Enough said.


Today, my roommates and I got out off classes at the same time (12:45) today.  Since we had a lot of time before dinner time, we grabbed a quick lunch and proceeded to walk from the Marais all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. It's an 4 mile walk if you were curious.

First we went to see L'eglise Saint Eustache--it's incredible.  We also saw these insane apartments that looked very futuristic.  You can see them at my NEW photo website that is actually working and updated. So please click this link----->PHOTOSSSSSSSSSSS

Next stop was Le Louvre. It is massive. Clearly pictures don't do justice to the grandeur of the place.  Even admist the tourists, it a very serene setting. I think you can feel that all the activity is within the stone walls.  I took a bunch of pictures and even two videos to document the experience.  I also found myself taking photos of people getting their photo taken(they were doing awkward and ridiculous poses in front of the Pyramid at Le Louvre--I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

From Le Louvre, we walked through the Les Tuileries. Everything is immaculately manicured and lush and so romantic. It is truely the perfect stroll(besides walking through Central Park of course).  At the end of Les Tuileries we arrived at Rue de Franklin Roosevelt--I think the four of us let out a little hooray for America when we passed it.

The Champs Elysee was chaotic and packed to the gills with every tourist from what seemed as every country in the UN.  After a long walk down the Champs we arrived at Le Arc. It was beautiful and even more stunning with a brilliant blue sky.

My friends!

Later that evening, my roommates and I made a "Taco Tuesday" dinner involving lime and salt sole(a fillet of fish) with perfectly charred tortillas(thanks Mom for showing me how to do this without burning them), and guac.  I made a side of sauteed zucchini and squash with some garlic, EVOO, salt, pepper, cilantro and cayenne. We invited our friends in the group(all guys..atleast for now!). We were going to make them get ingrediants for guac but we figured thats too confusing for guys so we made them get red wine and oranges and peaches to make sangria. At the end of the night, everything was demolished in about 10 minutes, as you can expect an college student to do. I guess we haven't mastered the "eating slowly" French custom yet.

Me being mature.

Bon soir tout le monde! (Good night everybody!)

Meaghan in The Marais

UPDATED!!!!

Here are more photos! Now you can finally see the photos! Sorry guys!

The Marais was great today--just what I expected.  I found some insane vintage stores that I was gushing over, of course.  I bought a creme colored Lacoste windbreaker for 5 euro and another really cool silk scarf for 1 euro. The place where I got these two fab items also had Joe Namath like fur coats for ridiculously good prices--maybe I should buy one and get white high tops to complete the ensemble? I'm going to go back there and to another place that sells other amazing vintage stuff.

Joe in fur.

Speaking of beloved Jets--thanks to my sister, I have a Jets t-shirt to wear around my apartment. Also--I am desperately trying to watch the latest Hard Knocks episode. Le sigh. I've already caught up on Mad Men thank goodness--if I can just say one thing--Sally Draper is interesting..

Earlier today........

In less than an hour, I will be heading out to the streets of the Marais. The Marais means "marsh" in French.  It's been known as the Jewish quarters in Paris; however, now it has been transformed into the tres chic section if Paris that is perfect for boutique, antique shopping as well as little bakeries, creperies and cafes.  Hopefully I'll come back with some good items so I can share with you all.


I just rapped up breakfast--I had a nutella pie, small banana and coffee. Hit the spot.

Friday in Paris

My roommate and I today.

After a late night out in the 6th arrondisement, my roommates and I took the privledge of sleeping in until 11.  A couple of changes of outfits, we made a stop by our local boulangerie(bakery) to get our daily fix of coffee and pastry.  I chose to get the fig and raspberry slice of tartin--excellent with a hint of lemon-y goodness. 

After our short, but enjoyable bench on sidewalk breakfast, we headed out for a full day of strolling around the 7th arrondisement.  The skies had cleared up from yesterday and were a brilliant blue dotted with puffy clouds.  We took the metro to L'Ecole Millitaire and walked down sun drenched "rues", admiring the shopes and cafes.  Eventually, we stumbled upon Le Invalides, which is a huge church(l'eglise) with a gold laquered dome on top with, of course, a cross.  It took me a couple of minutes to remember that this great monument was where Napoleon Bonaparte is buried--it was also the first place my sister, Alia, took my parents and I to in Paris five years ago.  A gouche de(to the left) of Le Invalides, is the jardin(garden).  It is immaculate, colorful and serene. Everything is perfectly manicured and lush.  

From the jardin, my roommates and I headed to Le Bon Marche(the great market). On the way, we passed an adorable and oh so jolie(pretty) jardin called Le Jardin de Catherine LaBoure. Lots of flowers, shrubs, ivy, etc.  After the picturesque pit stop, we went into the Conrad Shop. Let's just say my jaw dropped--the most amazing interior design store...comparable to New York City's ABC..but modern. I was trying to discretely take photos on my BlackBerry. I know that when my parents come to visit me in November, this will definitenly be on the intinorary.  

Right next door was Le Bon Marche..and great it was.  They have to seperate building, one strictly fashion and interior design, the other the true "food market." The clothes----I thought I was going to have to find duct tape to cover my mouth from ooing and ahhing. It was euphoria and I really can't describe it.  I think the prices of the clothes brought me down to earth.

And now onto the more afforadable part--the food market section.  Amazing again--everything you could ever want in a gourmet food store.  The freshest fruits, veggies, cheeses, seafood, meats, etc. For our picnic at the Eiffel Tower, we got at Le Bon Marche:

1) Peaches(my choice)

2)Personal green salad with micro grains(for myself)

3)Proscuitto(I actually broke my vegetariaism on this! Well worth it, since its really thinly sliced meat...but I don't think I'll be eating steak or breaded chicken cutlets any time soon..)

4)Chauvignon Blanc--it was pretty strong..

5)Two baguettes--one traditional and one grain--we chose the grain for the picnic

6)A trio of cheeses..we went through one of the cheeses...I have no idea what it was but it was probably the best cheese I've ever tried. I'll try to find out what it was, because I'm personally dying to know.

7)Bag of carrots(my choice)

We took our groceries to L'Tour Eiffel and sat on a park bench in the shadows of the Tower.  It was a very memorable experience. After the best lunch ever(which was really at 4:30 pm..) we walked underneath the Eiffel Tower and to an overlooking area and took typical touristy photos.  

I'll post pictures tomorrow--it's really late here. 

Tomorrow, my roommates and I will be going to the Marais section(3eme) to go shopping, walking..all typical Parisean activities.  Bon soir!!!

French Dinner Party

My roommmates and I collectively decided to make a typical French dinner tonight. For the appetizer, I decided to have some warm brie with cut up apple slices and a baguette. It was absolutely amazing, but I think I'm going to put honey on top to make it have a sweet taste to mesh with the saltyness.
For sides, we made roasted potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and provence herbs.  Then for the main course we had a salad with fresh tomatoes, balsamic dressing and a fried egg on top sunny side up. It was simple, healthy and absolutely amazing.  We chose a chardonnay for the wine--I think it was only 7 euro.

To add to the experience, I made a French musique playlist--Charles Trenet, Eartha Kitt, Madeleine Peyroux, etc.

During the day we went by the Notre Dame and walked around that area. I'll post pictures later but here is a photo of the dinner we made...enjoy!

Bienvenue a Paris!

Bonjour tout le monde! (Hello everybody!)

I arrived in Paris on Monday and moved into my apartment.  My apartment is located in the 11th arrondisment which I mentioned in the first post.  The neighborhood is mostly residential and very charming--quiet too.  There are  many tiny restaurants, as well as a local supermarket.  The actual apartment complex is called Chevrefeuille(Chev-rey-foy). In my room, I can hear school children, since you can see a l'ecole (school) with cartoons posted on the windows, as well as small multi-colored chairs.  Right now, I think it is their recess time--it's pretty loud.

Speaking of views, I can see the Eiffel Tower from my bedroom window, and the two other balconies we have.  Also, I can see the Montparnasse(the only skyscaper in Paris), as well as the magnificent Sacre Coeur from our kitchen window.  Tough life, I know.

Besides the postcard worthy views, I have a really nice shower, a walk in closet, a cute kitchen(equipped with a great fridge, microwave, dishwasher, oven, stove, blue tile counters and a foldout breakfast table) and a living room suitable for entertaining. The living room has a grand secretary, sheer tangerine colored curtains and two big futons and a couple of tables(perfect for beer pong..Naj & Bill you are probably mortified I just wrote that).

Enough talk about my apartment...

Let's discuss the activities and food I've comes across in Paris so far.

For breakfast on Tuesday I had a pain au chocolate(chocolate croissant). It was flaky, buttery and had just the right amount of chocolate.  I also had coffee which was incredibly strong.  For lunch I had THE best sandwich(which I pretty much never eat). It was on a footlong thin baguette with tiny rounds of goat cheese, olive oil, sundried tomatoes, mesculin greens and cucumbers. It was to die for. I also had a apple tartin..amazing again. Pour le diner, I had a tatin of vegetables that were carmelized and sauteed in balsamic vinegar. It had a tiny disk of puff pastry--the whole meal was incredible. Later that night at a bar on Rue de Lappe, I had a glass of the Chablis..crisp and refreshing.

Tonight since it is my 20th birthday, we are going out for sushi and sake. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to go to Paris..there is a Japanese, Chinese, Thai or Korean restaurant everywhere..it's exactly like Manhattan.


Onto school...

Orientation has been great so far.  Everybody is incredibly nice--there are so many different places that people come from. My roommates are from Seattle and Denver..we already have become so close, I got so lucky.  The three of us made good friends with two guys on our trip, one being from New Jersey.  Another girl I met today is from Short Hills...small world!  The teachers are very nice and are willing to assist you with anything.  The location of the school is in the tres chic Marais--great shops and restaurants.

So--all in all, Paris has been absolutely amazing in every aspect. I hope you enjoyed the first of many blog posts to come!  Here are the PHOTOS! PHOTOS!
xx,
Meg

You say goodbye and I say hello (Paris)

Ma famille et moi (South Beach, Miami)

Tomorrow(or today technically) is when I depart from America and start my journey to Paris, France.  As many of you may or may not know, I will be studying abroad in Paris for the fall semester.  Aside from living in Paris, I will be traveling all around Europe from September to December.

When I'm not hopping from one European country to another, I will be taking these courses: History of Paris through an Architectural Perspective, International Business, Communications and Global Competence, Intermediate French, and The History of Haute Couture.

My classes are in one single building on Rue de Braque in the très chic section of Paris called "Le Marais."  I will be living in the 11th Arrondisment--which is on the Right Bank.  The 11th Arrondisment is busy, but has in past years been labeled as a up and coming and trendy section of The City of Lights.


  Article about the 11th
 

Three of my best friends from Elon University(where I go to school) will be studying at the Collège de Sorbonne or "The Sorbonne" for all you non-French speakers.  My friends and I have been planning out trips we'll be taking during our stay abroad--so far we've only made official plans for Oktoberfest(typical); however, we are planning on going to the Italian Riveria(Cinque Terre and other towns), London, Spain, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands--and more! Personally, I am dying to go to Prague, Vienna and also go to a Greece island(or Crete) in addition to the other places.




Although I am beyond excited to spend four months abroad, I am already missing my friends from Elon, back home and of course, my family.  Hopefully my blog will make me feel closer to the ones who are far away!  


And now for a list..


Things I'll miss from back home/Elon


1)Family, friends, my home, town and Elon's campus
2)Hearing/Speaking English
3)Football season and the World Series(Mets & Jets!)
4)CVS, Target and any other store Americans take for granted
5)Working out..le sigh
6)The US Dollar
7)XM Radio
8)Bagels and any form of Asian cuisine




I think that is all for now--please feel free to email me, text & BBM or comment on my blog posts...I will definitely be updating it and including pictures, videos, etc.




With that being said............


Au revior America, bonjour Paris!


Bisous,


Meaghan