Life as a Parisian

Monday June 20, 2011: Today I went shopping and got some awesome shoes and a really pretty dress. Sadly I do not have pictures of my purchases to post here. In the evening our group of friends went along the Seine to watch the boats go by and drink some wine. It was a really pleasant evening and we had many laughs. 


Tuesday June 21, 2011: Today was the Fete de la Musique! Basically, this is a HUGE music festival held throughout France to celebrate all different types of music. We took the metro into downtown Paris and started at the St. Michel fountain for the night. There were African drummers and a crazy break dancer in front of the fountain. 

As you can see from these pictures, he was ridiculous.

After watching the dancer and drummers, we walked farther looking for a jazz band. Alas, we couldn't find the jazz band so we walked along the Seine for a little while and came across  a group of guys playing the cello, guitar, violin, and occasionally a little flute and harmonica. The sun was setting over the river and the music was phenomenal. This was probably one of my favorite nights in Paris so far. 

Our wonderful view from the Seine

Wednesday June 22, 2011: Today was the start of the HUGE Soldes (SALES!!) but considering I did my shopping earlier in the trip, I did not go to get anything. Instead Dr. Herod (my professor for Comparative Politics) took a group of students to the Opera House and to a few other sights along the way. We got to walk down the chicest street in Paris where all of the couture designers have their stores (waaaay out of my price range, probably forever). It was nice to get to visit the Opera house with Dr. Herod because he could tell us all about the history and why it was built and the significance of everything in the rooms. 

This was toppled in one of the revolutions

The beautiful OPERA!!

Me in front of the Grand Hall

Kat & me in one of the waiting rooms

Mosaic Ceiling of the Opera House

The Obelisk 

Once we were done at the Opera House, Kat got a call from Tierney and a few other people who were going to visit Montmartre where we could go souvenir shopping, see the beautiful view of Paris, and the amazing Sacre Coeur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). This Basilica has had someone praying at it, day and night, non-stop for the bast 125 years. It was amazing to see and to know that no matter what time of day, someone is praying to the Lord. It's an amazing sight to behold. We were so lucky to go on a day where it was sunny and blue skies because earlier that morning it was dreary and rainy. The pictures will show how amazing this church really is. 

View of Paris

Sacre Coeur

The inside was even more beautiful. No pictures allowed =(

After visiting Sacre Coeur we walked around Montmartre buying souvenirs for our family and friends and then decided to find the Moulin Rouge. It was a successful venture and we all got pictures in front of one of the more saucier landmarks in Paris. On the way to Moulin Rouge we passed street art in a vacant lot and also a lot of little cafes and shops specializing in fish, cheese or pastries. It was a truly french area and it's probably one of my favorite places in Paris.

Me, Bri and Tierney in front of the Moulin Rouge

The art in the vacant lot

Fresh fish and other yummy stuff