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