odd

Apparently it is socially acceptable for men to relieve themselves in the metro, near public parks, and in street corners. It makes less sense when you see that there are toilettes on the street for them to use.

Also seemingly acceptable behavior:
- staring blatantly (male or female)
- the real French kiss, which is actually intense making out in public (anytime, anywhere)
- groping someone else's girlfriend, who is probably French kissing her boyfriend at the moment. You know, just in case she changes her mind.

Tres bizarre.

<3

be bop a lula

<3

photos!

it's about time, wouldn't you say?

air inda



view from my balcony at night



"brunch"



rue de maubeuge



tour, day



c'est moi!



beginning of a protest



save the babies!



place de la concorde











flower beds in the wall around the jardin des tuilleries



le metro



arc de triomphe



tour eiffel









u.s.a!



les invalides





pont alexander III



many les ascenseurs fit maybe 2 people (or 1 american) and are only 6 feet high



flying robot



rue de martyrs



brita for all!



le main rouge



greek!



brooke and i



birthday girl



at some very nice caviar restaurant



niya and i



the driver on the phantom: "i don't know why they call it the phantom as if nobody is supposed to see you. everybody is looking at us!" i've never seen so many boys swoon.



my hotel desk vs. my apartment "living room"





(avec une cuisine)



hotel bathroom vs. apartment bathroom





hotel bed. vs. apartment bed





friday night tour guides



this guy was killing the dance floor



cheese and texas



and that concludes my first week! <3

i'm tired of this being empty!

I've been trying to post for days with photos but to no avail.

I would like to thank BOBBY, whomever or wherever he may be, for allowing me to steal his internet... I just wish he was a little closer, so the connection would be stronger. Sigh. Free is free, and I'm in a 2 star hotel. At least my sheets are clean, I get fresh towels, and there's always the view of the Tour Eiffel from my balcony to keep me satisfied. 

Pictures will just have to wait. In the meantime, here is a recap:

Saturday morning I arrived, napped, ate near Gare du Nord, bought a phone near the Opera, and slept and slept and slept.

Sunday I ate breakfast (un croissant et un cafe) and headed to my first appointment. I met up with my booker who is in town to catch up and go over my lists. For lunch, it was an omelette mixte. (I wouldn't normally specify my food intake, but it has been so surprising French.) Since lunch was 12 euro, I tried to be cheap and (eek) eat at McDonald's. I didn't have many choices anyway- everything is closed on Sundays. I was forewarned, but I didn't believe it. I thought that even the supermarkets would be open. They are not. Nor are pharmacies. I think brunch is going to be huge here. No one has anything to do! God bless them if Sun Burnt Cow opens up anytime soon.

Monday, 4 appointments. Walked a lot. Saw the Place de la Concorde. Had a 3 Fromages Baguette for lunch (ha!). Grande Chai Lattes at the American Mecca otherwise known as Starbucks with a friend. Bought Croque Monsieurs for dinner from Franprix. I am excited that some of my French is coming back. 

Tuesday, 4 more appointments. First was near the Arc de Triomphe. Walked from there, down to the Tour Eiffel, past it towards the military academy (?? or something), and back up towards Les Invalides. What else am I supposed to do in between but sightsee? Had tomato soup (I love soup) with a friend, and of course we went to Starbucks after. Nights are spent alone watching Flight of the Concords or French TV - everything is dubbed. They even took the time to dub Death Becomes Her. I started reading this book called "Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong" about the culture differences between North America and France. I am really enjoying what I've read so far. I skipped immediately to the chapter on privacy because even though they don't cover this in the book (all guide books and otherwise really should), apparently it is customary for the maids to just walk in whenever they choose. For instance, when you're in the shower. They just really want to give you fresh towels and make your bed. Bizarre.

Wednesday, today, feels like a million years ago. I had my last appointment, and it went fabulously. Very excited. I saw a sweet mullet, which I wasn't aware existed outside of America (or tourist destinations). For lunch, I met up with another friend at this quaint place near my hotel- half British, half French, all organic... Each table was complete with its own Brita pitcher. The risotto was amazing. We discussed the differences between French and American cultures. Afterwards, I attempted to do some shopping. Dinner was at an Italian restaurant on Champs- Elysee. I am surprised how a Coke costs 4.5 euro, but wine will cost 3. The sign in the women's restroom read: "THANK YOU FOR NOT THROWING YOUR PERIOD TOWELS INTO THE TOILET." Engrish, even in France!

Bon soir! More to come soon. <3