Gardens and Parks

Apparently, Sarkozy doesn't like the youth of America, because the free admission to the museums is only for European Union citizens. :(

I went with a group from Central College and Aurélien (my friend from the language exchange). Because we had already been to the Chateau recently, Molly and I turned down paying the large amount of money they demanded. We said, "We're going to go to the free gardens because it's nice outside." Two others from the Central College group joined us, and so did Aurélien (even though it was free for him, he's lived 5 minutes from Versailles his whole life, so he didn't need to see the Chateau).

I didn't get to bike, but I DID do something infinitely cooler: all 5 of us rented a boat and rowed along the pond by the Chateau. I thought the view was beautiful. Molly thought Aurélien was beautiful, and finally accepted my invitation to come to the language exchange this week.

Today, I planned on going to a museum with Giovanni, but he cancelled... again. This time he was sick or something. Tired of him cancelling on me (we're not dating, for all those concerned), I invited Hugo (the guy I danced with on Thursday) and Molly to come with me. As soon as Giovanni found out Hugo was going to the museum, he decided that he just might be able to come as well.

Molly and Giovanni both ended up having too much homework to do, so Hugo and I went to a park together instead. We sat in the park for 2 hours and alternated between speaking in English and French. I think my French improved a lot, and I also learned a lot of slang words. Hugo got excited when he found out that I sing. He plays the guitar, so he told me the next time we came to the park, he was bringing his guitar and I would sing. That's right, I'm having a jam session (or a Boeuf in French) in a French park! He said if we were good enough we could play on the metro for money. While I'm sure we'll be fabulous, I turned down the metro idea.

The brunch this morning was fabulous. I had 2 pain au chocolats, sausage, eggs, bread, breakfast potatoes, orange juice and hot chocolate all for 2.85! Tamara, Molly, and I agreed we would be repeating this adventure.

But not next week because I leave for Italy on Thursday! I can't wait!

The Helpful French (Not an Oxymoron)

I've been hanging out a lot with my roommate, Tamara. She doesn't speak really any English, so this has been very interesting. We've been having a lot of fun. She's been joining Molly and me for dinner. There are student restaurants throughout Paris where you can get a large meal for only 2.85 euro. Nothing is that cheap in France, so this is lovely.

Tamara told us the other day (whilest we were yearning for pancakes) that the student restaurants have the best brunch. Apparently you can get pain au chocolat, a hot chocolate, bread, bacon, sausage, and potatoes altogether for 2.85 euro. Or maybe it's even more food than that. Point: there was a lot of food for cheap. I was especially excited when she said (in French), "And you'd expect the pain au chocolat to taste horrible, right? But it's actually really good!" Which is like the magical phrase that made me say, "WE'RE GOING. ALL OF US. SUNDAY. I'M NOT GIVING YOU OPTIONS!" Tamara and Molly were both unresistant. Though I suppose it would be strange for someone to say, "No! I don't want a lot of good-tasting food for cheap! You can't make me go!"

The language exchange went well. I had a test the next day, and I thought it might be a good idea to study there. It was mostly Frenchmen, so I made them all help me study for my test. In return, I taught them more dirty American expressions. I felt it was the least I could do for their efforts. They were helpful until someone said, "You know how drinking alcohol makes it easier to speak a language? You should just get drunk before your test. You'll do really well then." The rest really enjoyed this idea, and the studying deteriorated somewhat after that.

I did not get drunk for my test. I also think I kicked its butt.

I went with Ben and Arnaud to the club with the open bar again last night. Giovanni couldn't go yet again, so he had to miss out. I danced mostly with Ben's brother, Hugo. Hugo turned out to be a surprisingly good dancer for a Frenchman, so he gets an A+. He also helped me get home on the metro so that I wouldn't have to go home late by myself. Apparently, chivalry isn't dead in France. I know everyone always gives the French a bad rep, but I've met some very nice ones.

Tomorrow I head off to Versailles! I'm going with some of the people from Central College and I'm going to meet up with one of the guys from the language exchange in the gardens. (I think I just made it sound like I was going to have an affair in the gardens of Versailles... well, I wouldn't be the first.) I'm really excited and hope to fulfill my dream of biking through the gardens in Paris spring...

In Which Meghan Discusses Food Far Too Much

I'm getting busier and busier, which I think has become more evident as I write less and less frequently. Now that I'm actually making friends, I have things to do at night. It's quite fabulous. I'm still hanging out with the French guys I met last week. One of them has been helping me with my French a lot. I get to learn all the words they won't teach you in school.

I met more Parisans! This time they were girls. I like them because they offered to take me to what they refer to ask "one of the best bakeries in France" as soon as they found out about my love for food. One of them said, "It's a bit more on the expensive side, but it's really good." I told her that when it came to baked goods, this was ok. I'm doing what the Italians refer to as "tasting instead of eating." Those Italians know what they're doing when it comes to food.

Molly and I have decided to open a French bakery in the United States. We're getting the baguette recipes and pain au chocolate (crossiant bread with chocolate in it... my favorite thing ever). I think everyone will renounce all other bread when they come to our bakery. I think one of the best gifts you can give to people is great bread. How can someone be unhappy when they're eating something so beautiful? Answer: they can't. I've found the solution to world peace: French bread.

Speaking of food, I got some authentic Italian pasta last night. Giovanni made some for me. It was really amazing, and made me excited for touring Italy over Spring Break. I did have a little parmesan cheese with it, though just a little. I informed him early on that I wouldn't be able to eat cheese with the pasta and he got very upset and said, "Well then, it will not be pasta." Oh those crazy Italians getting all dramatic about their cheese. I told him I was lactose intolerant, and he allowed for the no cheese. And by "allowed," I mean he still grated the cheese and kept going, "Are you suuuuuuuure?" just in case my allergy had magically disappeared.

On an unfood-related note, I'm going to Dublin! (It's unfood-related because Dublin's food compared to Paris' is like a Beatles' cover band compared to the Beatles.) I'm going to see Christine (again!). My Loras roommates will all also be there. We plan on celebrating St. Patrick's Day the way God intended: drunk. Well, technically it's just the weekend before St. Patrick's, but you don't need an excuse to party in Dublin. I'll be back in Paris for St. Patrick's, and I've informed everyone that we are partying like it's 1999.