Invalides.

Yesterday after class I met Estelle and went to Les Invalides.  I don't know why I hadn't crossed it off my list before yesterday...but I'm glad I did.  We could have spent an entire day there...and luckily since its free for me I will probably go back and spend more time there.  Les Invalides use to be a war hospital and was built in 1670 with the first residents in 1674.  It originally held a veteran's home, barracks, a convent, a hospital and a workshop.  

We started in the army museum seeing first the ancient armor, the 13th-17th century.  The detail in some of this stuff even for that long ago was amazing.  The swords kind of grossed me out, being stabbed by something as blunt and rusty as a spoon is really not very exciting.  

A gun...just in case you don't have really good aim.  

Yes, that is a child's suit of armor, they were trained from 6 years old on.  

World's largest bronze cannon still in existence.  I can't even imagine how they lifted that ball.  

We then skipped over the section from Louis XIV to Napoleon III and went directly to the Two World Wars.  I find both of them fascinating...maybe because they are recent history, or maybe because they both relate to the US.  I love history but I am the worst at remembering dates and exact details.  I loved living with Alex during college because she could remember the most random facts and dates.  An avid Jeopardy fan, she could tell you just about anything useless you needed to know.  The museum was a great way to visualize the timeline and actually gave me better perspective on how "it all went down."  Living here has also made me realize how little American's learn in history classes.  We learn basically nothing about the world.  One semester of World History in high school and thats really all thats required.  (At my school anyways....that class was a joke.)  I could tell you every detail of what happened the day that JFK was shot, but the Russians involvement in World War I?  Not a chance.  I laugh about it with my friends here all the time but I think its a pretty serious problem.  We learn all about how Americans did things and American history...but world history?  Not so much.  Although I guess most people don't ever leave the comfort of their homes in America so maybe its not such a problem.  

I would be interested to know what the typical doctor's kit looks like today in Afghanistan.  I imagine its a litttttle bit more complex than this.  

We left the museum a little pressed for time, grabbed a quick sandwich in the cafeteria and went to Napoleon's tomb.  It is in a separate part of the building, but the chapel and the église du dôme were easily accessible.  I cannot tell you how many domes I have pictures of and if you put them all side by side I'm not sure I could tell them apart, but they are all so beautiful!!  I just think of the detail and time it took to paint on the ceiling like that and am immediately amazed.  

Napoleon's tomb....think its big enough?  

In 1840, Louis-Philippe I ordered that the mortal remains of Napoleon I be returned from Saint Helena to Paris to where this tomb was erected.  Connected to the dome chapel is the Veterans Chapel which today still hosts events and mass for the military.  

Tonight I have been invited to stay a little later at Chloé and Franck's for a glass of champagne and to meet their American friends from California...so, I think I will.  ha!  Tomorrow is Nuit Blanche.  From 7pm to 7am the city will be host to an art/cultural all-nighter that is suppose to be fantastic.  There are several invitation only dinners in which all the guests wear all white and are dazzled throughout the evening with white linens and candles.  But the city hosts free art exhibitions and more out of the box type shows which we will be attending.  Down near Hotel de Ville there is an exhibition of an artist called "Purple Rain."  His art is showcased as the visitor walks through literally...purple rain...with an umbrella for shelter.  There is also a dance/disco until 3:30am where you learn steps and then after 3:30am it is an open dance floor.  A few of the metro lines stay open all night long, and I am looking very forward to it.  I haven't quite figured out how to take the best pictures on my camera at night....so maybe this will allow me a chance to practice...all. night. long.  

Extra Buffett Photos

I received two photos from Laura that were on her camera that I thought were cute enough to post as well.  These are my friends from North Carolina via Zurich, Switzerland.  I love how Buffett fans are so quick to get to know each other.   They were a super nice couple and he is like a genius on a computer apparently.  They are here for a year for his job in Zurich.  I'll certainly be looking them up when I get over to Zurich.  So many places to visit....so little time.  Oh...and money.  

This is just a cute curbside photo taken outside Kitty O'Shea's at the after party.  Notice all the other lei's and grass skirts behind us.  

Absolutely exhausted from a tiring Wednesday and getting up early this morning for my first day of classes!  My class was full (almost 20 people!) and had to bring in some extra chairs on top of that.  My professor seems really nice, she's a middle aged woman and seems to keep things interesting.  Anything is better than that guy I had last semester...class seriously dragggggeed by the seconds.  My friend Laura whom I started at France Langue with is in my class so its great to have a familiar face.  

So tired, going to be early early early tonight!  Thinking about my sister CONSTANTLY as she is going through recruitment at Ole Miss.  I wish I could be there so badly, and hate that I can't control the situation (as usual) but I know that no matter the outcome she will be happy wherever she is!  

Parrotheads....unite!

The day all started with these simple earrings.  These were the one thing out of my Buffett concert costume box that I could justify bringing back to Paris with me.  

I left my house at 12:30 in order to reach the Hard Rock Café Buffett Concert pre-party on time at 1:00.  I had found out about it via Facebook (it is good for some things) and then of course got all involved in everyones conversations.  I was so excited that a simple concert had just turned into a day full of tropical fun!  I arrived to find a whole slew of parrotheads already pounding their way into Coronas and margaritas.  Ahhhh yes, that's the way its suppose to be....

Laura stopped by to pick up her ticket, she couldn't get off until 8 but we were hoping they would still let her in the doors!  

I couldn't let the day pass without having a "Cheeseburger in Paradise."  I have had an official Cheesburger in Paradise at the Margaritaville in Turks and Caicos overlooking the beautiful crystal clear waters, but Paris is pretty darn near close to paradise as well.  The Hard Rock did pretty well....lettuce, tomato, french fried potatoes, kosher pickles, an optional cold draft beer, no Heinz 57 but French's yellow....just as good!  Oh, and of course a margarita (or two....or three...)

These are my great friends I made from Vancouver.  She was quite a live one and he has held probably 50 jobs in his lifetime but it certainly made him interesting to talk to.  He also bought 2 of my 11 euro margarita's.  So nice!  She had to leave to go across the street to buy sharpie's.  She was so irritated that she left her markers in her other backpack.  It took her about an hour but she seemed so relieved to know that if someone were to be there to sign her forehead, she would have the correct writing utensil.  

I also met a really lovely young couple who are from the Raleigh area, North Carolina.  They currently live in Zurich, Switzerland and we were quick to meet each other being amongst the only younger crowd at the Hard Rock.  Really sweet couple, would love to get to Zurich for a visit as well!  

Unfortunately I had to go pick up Marie-Césare at 4:30 so I took a bus up the street a little ways and picked up her overnight bag.  Chloé told me that I could have off early, but she ended up having to work late and so did Franck.  So, the only option was to let her spend the night with Manon.  How kind of Manon's parents to say yes on a school night.  It seriously meant a lot to me.  I stayed at the park awhile after school, followed them to Manon's house and dropped off her bag and dou dou.  I didn't think twice after hugs and kisses and jetted to find my place in line for the concert.  I got in line behind 2 older women who had been parrotheads for life (58 concerts between the two of them) and behind me was a French couple with flamingo's on their head.  Now that's a sight to see.  There were gents who had been there since 7 am, just hoping to get front and center.  I'll have to say I got 11 more hours out of my day than they did and I got a pretty darn good spot.  

As everyone was setting up I noticed all kinds of signs and flags telling Jimmy to come to England!, Australia again!,  Ireland!, Finland!, you name it....it was there.  Who knew Jimmy even had fans in Finland?  Although his tour this year was "Welcome to Fin Land" so I suppose I get the pun.   

The last time I saw him was in Nashville in May of 2010 and he looked like a tiny peanut dancing around on stage at Bridgestone Arena.  If it weren't for the big screens I would have scarcely known who he was.  At the Olympia there were no big screens and no fireworks.  It was a small, intimate theater with 1200 of my closest worldly parrothead friends.  People from ALL over were there.  SO many from the states, all over Europe, South Africa, Australia, China, India, and of course...France.  It's pretty funny to hear the French sing Bama Breeze and Frank and Lola.  

Check out my awesome seats!!!!!  And please, excuse my shaky video hands...it had been a long day.....

Volcano

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

He was having so much fun, you think he ever gets tired of his tropical persona?  I can't imagine with the money he is making that you would ever get tired of it...but, you never know.  If there was anyone in this world from any period of time that I could sit down and have a drink with, it would be Jimmy Buffett.  Without a doubt in my mind.  

This one's for you, mom:

Chanson Pour les Petits Enfants

Please excuse my crazy eyes in the next photo.  They wouldn't allow my good dslr into the theater, so I had my little tiny Sony that creates really bad red eye.  Red eye auto fix obviously didn't work either.  

I had changed positions to try and find Laura, so this one is taken from a little farther back.  But, its good because you can see the crowd and their "fins!"  (I know, its 100%  goofy but please just humor me and enjoy the quirks that make me....me.)

Fins

People piled out of the theater headed towards the after party at Kitty O'Shea's............. 

while I hung out a few minutes outside the theater talking to my friends from Vancouver whom I met earlier.  All of a sudden he screams, "LOOK!!! HERE'S JIMMY!!!"  "No, couldn't be..." I doubtfully replied.  It was a gray BMW with no tinted windows.  I look again, HOLY 2y34uqo#(ergvs;d923p*@.  IT WAS JIMMY BUFFETT.  RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE.  WITH HIS WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN.  So what do I do?  Well naturally I stick my hand in the window.  bahaha..... Then I scream.  Then I jump.  After the initial shock I thought to pull out my camera and snap some photos, only wait.  Didn't have the dslr and the Sony batteries had died.  Good thing I had the back up iPhone!!! Not quite as fast but still did the trick!  

Still SO angry at whoever's camera this is.  And whoever's hand that is.  Argh.  

His bald head!! That is Jimmy dad-gone Buffett...I was in complete shock.  

I couldn't believe I was standing so close to a legend...and even shook his hand!!!! 

I called my mom freakingggggg out and practically hyperventilating.  I have never been so star struck but I think it was because I wasn't expecting it and the situation presented itself and so I profited BIG TIME.  Ah-mazing.  I would have been completely content with the concert but that was just icing on the big humongous margarita flavored cake.  You can ask Laura, it was the happiest she had ever seen me!  

The crowd at Kitty O'Shea's.  

The night came and went so quickly I was so sad it was over.  My life has been made.  That's one HUGE check on the Bucket List.  The set list was great, I will try and post it over the next couple of days (unfortunately Dad, no Boattt Drinkssss).  I continue to tell myself that this concert isn't the reason I decided to stay another year....but I think secretly it had a lot to do with it.  Now I must stay through at least next September so I can catch another one!  It had always been a dream of Jimmy's to play the Olympia in Paris, and this year being the second year to play at the venue, I certainly think he should continue.  He finished appropriately with He Went to Paris.  (Sorry I couldn't post that one, I was singing too loud and too terribly to post.)  It is safe to say that this year he started off with a bang and ended with a quiet hum and dreams of Paris lingering in the air.  

Which of course, for me, is what its all about.  

Work in Progress

SO, yes, Jimmy Buffett was AMAZING as most of you know from facebook.  I can't seem to get my videos working right and I refuse to make a big long post without videos.  They are essential.  I am taking my computer with me to Chloé and Franck's tomorrow so I can have uninterrupted internet to hopefully get the kinks worked out.  Can't wait to share with you all the best night EVER!!

Ohhh...the weekends.

I enjoy the weekends immensely.  I don't know whether its the time off, being in my apartment where its quiet, meeting lots of new people, or just goofing off with friends (or maybe its all of that combined) but I love them.  Friday night was my dear friend Omphile's last night in Paris.  We spent a good 3 hours sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower joining the crowds of tourists oohing and ahhing each time it sparkled.  With no bathroom anywhere close around a few of us also frequented the bushes nearby which was a new experience.  (Best view from a bathroom I've ever seen!)  ha!!  We were able to meet a few new faces, enjoyed some wine together and a champagne toast at the end to celebrate Omphile, her friends, and her time spent in Paris.  We left there and went to a South African place that Omphile frequented that served South African snacks, Pepsi products (which I never see here in France), and of course Rugby playing on the big screen.  (If anyone knows Omphile, they know that she is passionate about South Africa, its food, sports, people, and all the things that differentiate it from the rest of the world.  So this was a perfect place for her last night out!)  It was really fun, but I honestly could have stayed sitting in the grass at the Champ de Mars for the entirety of the night!!!  That view just never gets old and the company was pretty darn good as well.  Smashing evening.  

Alison and Laura

Elise and Taylor

The next day was spent resting and doing laundry.  I met Laura, Estelle, and Rozy around 5 at Jardin du Luxembourg for a crêpe and nice afternoon stroll.  We sat on the grass for a little while but the gnats were everywhere...flying into our mouths, noses, and stuck in our hair.  We eventually got tired of swatting at them and made our way across the street to a café for a cup of coffee.  

Today Laura and I went to Hillsong and after was an au pair picnic.  I had no idea about the picnic....somehow I'm now out of the loop on all the picnics...good thing I have connected friends -aka, Rozy.  ha!  It was 76 degrees here today and SUNNY!!! An absolutely beautiful warm front to what I'm sure will turn out to be a frigid winter.  There were about 50 girls there and I'll have to say it was quite an eventful picnic.  We first arrived and there was a girl filming who is filming an "au pair in Paris" documentary.  She is creating a place for au pairs to turn to when they have trouble getting their visa or with their families.  Good idea, eh?  Next, we had a couple of people who needed volunteers with an event they are having next weekend.  Resumé builder?  Yes, please!  Last but certainly not least was a middle aged French man asking us to be in his music video.  Right there.  In the middle of Jardin des Tuileries.  Obviously he was not too famous because there were no body guards and only a staff of about 4 helping him.  We were all pretty skeptical, (and weirded out...who interrupts a picnic?!) but seeing as how we were a group of 50 and he was just 1, figured that not much could go wrong.  So we participated reluctantly and 10 minutes later he thanked us and went on his way.  Have no idea who he was or even what the song was but maybe I'll see myself on his music video one day?  Strange.  

Estelle, me, Rozy, and Alison at Jardin des Tuileries

Esmee, Flora, Estelle, and moi of course!

Guess what tomorrow is everyone?!?!?! As if you didn't know....JIMMY BUFFETT!!! The day has finally come.  Ahhh SO excited.  I've got all my accoutrements including the necessary grass skirt, chilled rosé, warm weather, and flip-flops.  I can't wait to get to the pre-party at the Hard Rock Café at 1:00, stay with Marie-Césare for an hour or so then come back for the concert at 8!  I seriously am so excited and have no idea how I will sleep tonight.  I can't wait to blog about it and show you all my photos.  Yes, I am thinking about how amazing this blog post will be in advanced.  That's how thrilled I am.  

"So turn up the heat
And chill the rosé
Take off your Uggs
And let your metatarsals play
Even though the South of France
Is 10,000 miles away
We can turn up the heat
And chill the rose..."

-JB, Turn up the Heat and Chill the Rosé

Pink Flamingo Pizza

Between dance and horseback riding, lunch and trying to fit in a short nap, we don't have time for much else on Wednesdays.  But today after dance we decided to squeeze in a little art atelier.  I had brought Elmer's glue back from the states (can't seem to find a good equivalent here) and lots of glitter.  

The mess.

Being silly...as always.

Our masterpieces!

After a long Wednesday with the kiddos, I met up with some friends for pizza and vino.  We went to a place in Le Marais called the Pink Flamingo.  They have a few locations around Paris but this one was just more convenient for everyone.  There was 6 of us so finding a table wasn't so easy, but they popped up some tables along the sidewalk for us and were seating rather quickly.  Inside was decorated with pink walls, pink and white checked tablecloths, and a few pink flamingos perched around the tiny restaurant.  Tables spilled out onto the sidewalk (as most good French restaurants do) and people were enjoying pizza and beer from corner to corner.  There was an old VW van parked just out front of the restaurant which you could actually sit in and eat your pizza.  Cute idea, yes...but they could have done so much more with it.  

I'm talking paint the thing pink, pink flamingo lights, turned around the front seats and turned them into actual chairs...maybe that's the restaurateur coming out in me or maybe.... just the american.  It seemed to be an integral part of the restaurant and they painted their delivery bicycle pink?  So why not the van?  

Alison, Rozy and I

Laura, Maria, Estelle, and I

Anywho, it was good company, delicious pizza, and not so good wine.  I asked if they had a wine menu and he replied with, "No, rouge, blanc, ou rosé."  HA!  I died out laughing.  We are in France for goodness sakes, although I am thinking most people don't have wine with pizza.  We received a warm, watered down white wine vintage from 2011...classy.  My pizza on the other hand was outrageously good.  La Poulidor.  

They are all cooked in a wood fired oven (as all good pizzas are) and was topped with very thin apple slices, goat cheese, and slices of roasted duck breast.  Ohhh yummy.  I adore the combination of apple slices and goat cheese and the duck just gave it enough salty and meatiness to make it a proper meal.  So much that I couldn't finish it all.  

Estelle was sitting across from me and ordered Le Bjork.  Salmon, créme fraîche, and caviar.  

I keep dreaming about this Buffett concert in a few days.  Every night I ask Chloé if its still okay for her to come home early on Monday.  I know she's getting annoyed.  Went yesterday and bought my grass skirt, lei, and umbrella toothpicks for my boat drinks.  No.  I'm not excited.  Not at all.

He Went to Paris

He went to Paris lookin’ for answers To questions that bothered him so. He was impressive, young and aggressive Savin’ the world on his own... But the warm summer breezes The french wines and cheeses Put his ambition at bay; The summers and winters Scattered like splinters And four or five years slipped away. -JB, He Went to Paris

THIS very moment next week!

Had a fairly uneventful weekend.  Friday night I went for a few drinks with the girls on rue Oberkampf.  We went to a place called "Bar des Pirates" and I'm pretty sure the only thing that made it pirate-y was one fake skeleton in the corner dressed in pirate gear.  Oh, and the entire place was about as big as my apartment.

So I was trying to put a patch over my eye and seem pirate-y but it just looks like I'm embarrassed to be with Laura...ha!  Oh yes...everyone-meet Laura!  

Saturday morning I woke up late (big shocker, I know) and went to Saint-Germain-en-Laye to visit Taylor for the afternoon.  Its quite a haul out there, and I give anyone oodles of credit for any au pair who lives there.  Its a nice small town, filled with loads English speaking people and of course, the rich.  Small boutiques, fromageries, boulangeries, and market stands spilled out onto the cobblestone streets of Saint-Germain on a Saturday afternoon.  Everywhere I went I heard English causing me to turn my neck like a hoot owl.  We wandered up and down the streets and in and out of delicious pastry shops and confiseries.  

Absolutely gorgeous fig tart.  If it wasn't 24 euros and I knew I had enough willpower not to eat it all in one sitting, I would have bought it for myself.  :)

We stopped and had a beer at a local Irish pub and this strange concoction was brewing to the left.  I forgot to ask exactly what it was, but it seemed to be some very old liquor with lemons and a few other "fruits?" that we couldn't figure out justttt exactly what they were.  I am sure that it has been there since 1992.  

I met Taylor's host mother at her place of business, Ceramikafe.  She owns a paint your own pottery business in the heart of Saint-Germain.  One of the only places in the Paris area and if we weren't so dad gum far I think it would be an excellent thing for Marie-Césare to do.  

I heard my tummy growling at me and Taylor suggested we get back on the train to Chatoû (where he actually lives, just a few stops on the RER towards Paris).  We found a small Indian restaurant just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the train station.  It was delish.  

This was mine but I felt the most interesting part about it was the carrot garnish.  I don't know who took the time out of their day to dig out the insides of those carrots and turn them into "flowers" but they should really stop.  It was pretty useless and no doubt the labor could be going in some other aspect of that kitchen.  

I always forget at Indian restaurants there is so much food on the table. 

It was pouring when we left the restaurant so the hop, skip and jump back to the train station felt like a lifetime.  Sunday I seriously did not do a thing.  I skyped with both my mom and dad, heard the most horrible news about the pauvre Ole Miss football killing by Vandy, made myself a delicious pasta and veggie dinner, and cleaned up my iPhoto a little.  

My flowers have gotten so pretty, and the petals are beginning to fall.  I have enjoyed having them but I think I will take the petals to Marie-Césare, Manon, and Cléo tomorrow at the park and let them play with them.  They enjoy playing house now and making "salad" with all the things they can find in the park.  

Lunch tomorrow with Laura from North Carolina.  It has seriously been forever since I've seen her!! So glad to have her back in Paris for a few more months and can't wait to catch up.  

This time NEXT WEEK at this exact day and exact time I will be having boat drinks and singing with my fins up at JIMMY BUFFETT!!!!! Ahhhhhh...I seriously can't wait.  Chance of a friggin' lifetime!!!!! 

"In a week I'll be in gay Paris; that's a mighty long airplane ride.  Yes it cleans me out, and then I can go on."  -JB, Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane Season