Sofia Coppola, Macaroons, Clubs and Waterfalls

                                     (Emily and I at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont waterfall)

Since I’ve last updated, 15 days ago, I have done a multitude of things. I’ve gone on even more thrift adventures, venturing into one of Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Dunst’s favorite thrift stores in Paris called “Free ‘P’ Star”; bought a flannel shirt for 5 Euros. Next on my everlasting thrifting adventure was “Coiffeur”, right next door to the famous falafel place “L’As du Falafel”, where I purchased cut off Levi’s shorts for 10 Euros. Leaving the Marais and entering the Bastille neighborhood I headed to “Come on Eileen”, a store with a very friendly staff but on the pricier side. In here they had the largest selection of Converse high tops I’ve seen.  Quite often over the past week I’ve found myself walking down the streets in my own neighborhood (the 15^th arrondismont) and discovered a “mediateque”, basically a very nice and advanced library. After being directed to the English section by a staff member (a total of 3 books in English) I left having checked out E.M. Forster’s “A Room with a View” which I am currently reading.  Taking a full turn away from the library scene we have the discotheques I’ve been to in the last couple weeks. There’s “Mix”; good music and DJ however creepy elderly men who like to lurk and don’t understand our “get away from me” looks.  Another night we headed over to “Duplex” near the Arc de Triumph; nice music as well and lights from outer space.. I’ve never seen so many strobe lights and green lasers and smoke machines in all my life! We stumbled outta there half blind, half seeing in flashes. Backing up the statement I said about doing a “multitude of things”, I went and saw my first film in a French movie theatre. Unfortunately it was about as American as it gets…you know what I’m talking about, admittedly I saw “Crazy, Stupid, Love” with my friend Jessica. Leaving the theatre and feeling sad and depressed without the films Hollywood happy-ending we walked right into a macaroon store where I got rose, lavender and coco lait flavored macaroons. Continuing on with my search for the best macaroon I was recommended to go to Pierre Hermes, a famous macaroon shop where I tried an olive vanilla and pistachio macaroon-both were crazy out of this world delicious (also very expensive I must add-1.95 Euros for one!). The trek does not stop here (don’t worry this has been spread out over 2 weeks) Haha, anyway I was told I must go to the Eric Kayser bakery-so of course I did as was told and here I tried a prosciutto salad and hands down the best crème brulee I’ve ever tasted. Also in the past two weeks, I went to a fondue restaurant and had a wonderful dinner and met new friends who are also in the UC abroad program-we bonded over talking about The Bachelorette tv show-haha, it’s a guilty pleasure of mine :]. There was bread and cheese, meat with sauces, potatoes and green beans and then fruit with chocolate all for only 12 Euros-such a steal. While on the subject of food (with all the new food I’ve been trying I should have just made this a blog about where to eat in Paris!), but any who, while stumbling down a random street I found a bomb place called Patati Patata where they sell baked potatoes and fill it with anything you desire. I chose the chicken curry potato and it was heaven. Definitely recommend the place. My favorite occurrence that has happened recently is reuniting with my love and the greatest dance team captain ever-Megan Suttaby:] Passing through Paris on her post UCSC gradation euro trip of course we met up and enjoyed a wonderful night filled with wine, crepes and catching up on the Seine river bank. More recently, yesterday as a matter of fact, my lovely amie (friend) Angela showed me a gorgeous park in the 19^th arrondismont called Parc des Buttes Chaumont where we discovered a temple, a water fall and of course a giant cotton candy stand. As in awe with the park as I was, I had to pass along the amazingness to others and went back today.  We enjoyed the nice weather and took up our time picnicking in the park, learning how to roll a cigarette (thx Em!:]), and rock climbing. Of course being true to our American selves we had to end the day with an ice cold Starbucks drink and the 3euro thrift store near the student housing before parting ways and going home with our arms filled with thrifting finds (pour moi a beautiful white long dress with long slits and lace).. Which brings me to my next point-Brittany got a job! YES. Babysitting, of course what else would I do-I’m always around kids. It’s actually a really great experience and I have connections with 3 different families so I’m looking forward to having some cash inflow. I got paid 10 Euros yesterday just to pick up a kid from gymnastics class-wooo. Now I have something making up for my Starbucks iced white mocha addiction. Anyways, for those interested in my life I will try my best to update more frequently and with shorter posts as I know it must be exhausting listening to me ramble about my past two weeks. Je suis desolee. (I am sorry.) You can look forward to hearing about my trip to Amsterdam (next Thursday), Barcelona (the Thursday after that), London over Thanksgiving, and Sweden the beginning of December!

-Ciao amores!

Inception Bridge, Vintage Chanel and Inox Techno Music Festival

(Bridge from Inception)

Today I was awoken by my host family’s chimney sweeper-man. Waking up in a frazzled daze, once I discovered what the source of the noise was, I found it quite humorous! In the States the idea of an actual chimney sweeper seems as if from a cartoon or an old movie…(at least for me growing up in the town of Rocklin where people are lavish and have electric, faux fireplaces which do not require cleaning). After stumbling out of my room, the joyous chimney sweeper and my host mother excitedly dragged me to the side of the apartment where there was a long ladder up to the roof. After making the hike up the ladder, I finally arrived (in my socks and PJ’s) at the roof of this Parisian apartment building. IT WAS GORGEOUS. I could see everything from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre Sacra Coeur to Montparnasse Tower. Unbelievable. After finishing my toast and tea I set off on my own exploration (considering Tuesdays I don’t have any classes). :] Stumbling around the various streets of Paris I found myself, by accident, at the site of one of the scenes from the American film Inception! It is the scene where Leonardo DiCaprio is teaching Ellen Page how to create dreams on a bridge. The mirrors from the scene were obviously solely for film purposes, but after strolling down the bridge I also found the building which is the dream training facility in the film. In real life it is actually just an old office building, but I found the graffiti shown in a shot right before Joseph Gordon-Levitt enters the building. (After getting home and doing research to confirm this was the bridge, I discovered that this same bridge was also from the Marlon Brando film, “Last Tango in Paris” where he is shown walking down it and crying.) After admiring the Hollywood-esque vibe from the bridge, I went on to search for a few vintage shops I had heard were the best in Paris. I uncovered a gem; the vintage store called Reciproque. Browsing the racks of vintage Chanel, Chloe and Prada I almost fainted when the woman working asked if I’d like her to start a dressing room for me. Pretending to be posh I replied with, “Bien sur” meaning “of course” in English (haha). There I was in this vintage boutique trying on 1,000 Euro Chanel blazers and 700 Euro Dolce and Gabbana dresses just for fun, admiring the labels and not even being able to afford a single stitch. Next, I searched for the thrift store Guerrisol where there were large basins full of sweaters for 3 Euros to old Levi jeans for 5. This store had a more Goodwill-ish vibe and was chaotic full of people of all ages searching for a good buy.  Leaving both stores having bought nothing but time I grabbed myself a tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese Panini and made it back to my home in the 15^th arrondissement. Right by my apartment, I could see across the street a cute little bakery ran by two young women. As I peered in I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy two petite macaroons, one Café flavored the other Pistachio. They were absolutely to die for-Don’t worry friends and fam, I’m bringing some home with me in December! :]

Well on other news, the Inox Techno Music Festival was one of the most fun days I have ever had... Music Festivals have such a fun, bohemian vibe that I adore, people are so care-free immersed in the music. I’m dying to go to another one! Bon Iver is playing soon with Lykke Li at the Pitchfork Music Festival-two of my favorite musicians… geeshh dream team right there. Welp, since I last updated I’ve seen many interesting sites; The Mosque, Catacombs, Le Pantheon, Shakespeare and Co. (where parts of Midnight in Paris were filmed and where Hemingway once studied), Versailles, Palais Garnier (The Opera House), Sacre Coeur, plus many more to come… :]

Officially in my homestay!

(my new room in Parii!)

Aye aye aye where do I even begin!
Well, I have been officially accustomed to Paris and am now well adjusted to the many twists and turns of the city (for the most part). I have to admit that the first week was difficult (as well as the second). Additionally I must admit Paris was not what I thought or expected it to initially be. Let’s just put it this way... It was definitely not love at first sight; however, with time I am beginning to see why Paris is such a wonderful and unexpected city. It is definitely the small things you have to look out for which make Paris so unique. Everything has a special sort of feel with the various markets scattered throughout the city to the small clothing boutiques. My favorite things are the things you cannot find in California, like how small and close together all the streets and shops are from one another. Also, the bakeries! My oh my countless bakery's filled with delicious carbohydrates. The breads and sandwiches and croissants-Oh mon dieur (oh my god in French however it may be misspelled). I kept telling myself, "I WILL buy running shoes" since I’ve been here for two weeks and I just today finally actually did it. Now for the actual running part…
A few days ago I moved into my home stay with my new French family. When I first arrived they spoke not a lick of English and I was on the verge of tears. It is a couple, Madame and Monsieur Juy, and they have FIVE children. Once the children came home I felt much better and not because they speak any English but because they are petite actors! They are constantly in battle with one another to see who I can understand best. Whenever I finally understand they shout Gagne ("win" in French I believe) and become very excited. They are 12, 11, 7, 6 and 4 years! Madame has made me dinner every night this week and it has been TO DIE FOR. Quiche and green beans with tiramisu, salmon pasta (desert was hilariously yogurt and an apple), croque monsier (desert this night was grapes) and homemade pizza! I even tried ostrich… hmm don’t know how I feel about that one.
I am so happy to have chosen to live in a home stay rather than the dorms. This family is very genuine and I’m definitely getting the full French experience. I've been reading and hearing about the habits of the French since high school but it must be experienced to fully understand! I truly feel as if I have been shot back into time and am living in France in 1920! The furniture is old but gorgeous and the floors are wooden and creaky. During dinner the boys recite French poetry and after they play guitar and piano for me! Every morning I have the typical French breakfast; toast and tea and then I’m onto the metro and off to school! Speaking of the metro… there are too many good-looking men on the metro every morning in their designer suits and smart phones… eye candy! (hehe sorry M&D). Anyways, I’ve been doing many fun things with the family and little kids like playing Monopoly, Memory and also piling onto the couch and watching movies! Last night we watched Les Gendarmes en Ballade. It is a popular French movie from the late 60’s early 70’s I believe. I also taught the family how to give a high five; the French do NOT give high fives. Soon we are all going over to the family’s grandparent’s house. The French are very social and often eat meals with neighbors, friends and other family members-I love it!

A Bientot Amies!  :]