Naiveté

So it's been a while since I've posted. And as much as I'd love to say that it's because I've been too busy galavanting around France to sit down at my computer (which is kind of true), it's actually a much sadder reason.

A couple weekends ago, when I was on the train to Paris for the weekend (like how nonchalantly I say that? Haha), my computer was stolen out of my suitcase. My poor computer :( In the hands of someone who doesn't even appreciate it. But! I've had time to digest the information, and I've even had time to get a brand new computer shipped to me (Thanks Mom!!! You're the best!!!), so I'm BAAAAACK!

Now let's talk about Paris!

So. Game plan was as follows: Spend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in Paris. Tuesday, take the train to Lyon, France to see Ben Howard in concert and then come back to Aix Wednesday in time for out 17:15 class.

And we did just that!

Our sight-seeing included:

Louvre: as always, the Mona Lisa was wayyy smaller than you're expecting. I was planning on renting the headphones so I could get the royal tour, but that will have to happen another time, so stay tuned. I DID, however, manage to make friends with the girl who worked at Fossil (There are a bunch of stores in the Louvre, and I HAD to stop in and say hello to the beautiful watches)

Breakfast in America: If you're ever in Paris, GO HERE! There are 2 locations, and I'm sure they're equally fabulous! It'll give you the taste of being home, because it's American breakfast food. Cooked by Americans. On a typical weekend morning, you'll wait in line for 1-2 hours, so go with the smallest number of people possible (AKA 2, since you don't want to be that loser eating alone). When we were there, we waited in line for 1.5 hours. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday. Oh. ORDER THE OBAMA MILKSHAKE! It tastes like Reese's Puffs cereal! When I was there, I ordered the Lumberjack Special (consisting of a blueberry pancake, 2 sausage links, 2 strips of bacon, and 2 eggs cooked how you like them). I'm salivating at the very thought of it. A definite must-see.

Eiffel Tower: We were in Paris on an unusually cold weekend, so we didn't get to go to the very top of the Eiffel Tower, but I did get to cross off one item from my bucket list. I climbed EVERY SINGLE STAIR from the ground floor to the 2nd level (which would be the 3rd level in American standards). Now, you might think that that's not that big of a deal, but considering that from the 2nd level to the top, you HAVE to take an elevator, I actually DID climb every single stair of the Eiffel Tower. Winner.

Champs Elysées (A & F): Of course, you can't go to Paris without taking a stroll down the Champs Elysées. And when you're there, GO TO ABERCROMBIE & FITCH. You might think I'm crazy because they're all over the place in America, but this is definitely one of a kind. There's only one A & F in France, and it's on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The store is a converted mansion, complete with a rod-iron gate and hedges that fence in the estate. At every entrance, a beautifully sculpted man stands shirtless asking you (in English!) "How is it going?" and telling you to "Come inside and flirt." The inside of the store is literally a museum. 4 or 5 stories (I lost count), and the wallpaper looks like an A & F version of Michelangelo's the Sistine Chapel. And girls and guys are littered around the store, being paid to dance and look beautiful. It's unreal.

Classic French Meal: One of the girls with us was DETERMINED to try Frog Legs (Cuisses de Grenouille, in French), so we hunted for the most classic French restaurant. We each ordered something different and then nibbled at each others dishes. We got Escargot, Frog Legs, and Coq au Vin (Rooster in a Wine Sauce). And of course, LOTS of bread. Not a single bite went untasted. It was marvelous.

(Frog Legs)

(Escargot)

Vintage Store Shopping: Since some of the girls headed back to Aix on Sunday night, 3 of us (Quinn, Megan, and I) had Monday to do WHATEVER we pleased. So NATURALLY, we decided to do what every girl wishes she could do in Paris: Shop. Quinn looked up a list of Vintage Shops in Paris that you HAVE to hit, and boy did we hit 'em. I got 2 blazers, a pair of heels, and a sweater. The only thing I was missing was some jewelry, so that'll be the goal on the next trip!

Fondu: We celebrated our last night in Paris by going out to the most classic of Fondu restaurants; where our wine was served in baby bottles! And I don't mean little wine bottles. I mean a bottle than you would use to feed a baby. Combined with the wine, the mean, and the bottomless basket of French bread (essentially used as a vessel for the cheese), the 3 of us left the Fondu restaurant about 10 pounds heavier. But oh so happy :)

Lyon (Brewery, Meal, Concert): When we got to Lyon, we figured we'd make the most of our one night there, so we did what any sane traveler would; we asked the front desk to plan out our evening. We told them where our concert venue was, and then gave them the ropes. They told us we HAD to try Andouillette, and we HAD to get beer. Now who in their right mind would object to that??? So they gave us a few restaurant names that were near our concert venue and sent us on our way. Getting off the metro, one of the restaurants they had named was literally RIGHT at the metro exit, so we figured why the hell not. The restaurant doubled as a Brewery and it had a little stage, so it felt a lot like something you'd find back home in the States (AKA we were right at home). Quinn and Megan decided to split the sampler (8 4oz glasses) to taste every single type. I stuck to the Lager (called the "Blonde"), and OH MY GOD. I can't tell you how good it tasted. It had been so long since I had had good beer, I almost died. Then! As we were enjoying our beer, Quinn noticed a sign that said "Ben Howard." After verifying with someone who worked there, we found out that the concert was actually being held IN THE BAR WE WERE IN! How PERFECT was THAT??? So. After beer, the dinner that we were told we NEEDED to have (the BIGGEST sausage link that essentially looked like rolled-up intestine...), we got to see Ben Howard in concert!!! I almost died!!! He was so fantastic!!! I'm definitely going to be seeing him as SOON as he steps foot into the States.

Anyway, overall AMAZING weekend in Paris. I can't WAIT to go back!

À bientôt!