People of Paris

Before I crossed the pond I knew I could look forward to the amazing stylish people of Paris. But I was in for an even bigger treat, not only are the people stylish here, they are have their own very unique style (minus the wedge heel, which is only basically every other women's feet). I've also experienced quite a variety of people of the metro, something I will touch on later.

OMG SHOES!!!!

Studs at Fashion Week

Both men and women here rock the coolest kicks. As you've read in past post my French teacher makes the cut for cool kicks; bright blue doc martins, and purple/silver metallic sneakers. Men seem to rock a variation of the wingtip shoe the most. I've seen them in natural leathers, colored suede, sneaker version, loafer style, and boot style. They've been mixed with dress pants and blue jeans, but always pull together the outfit for a nice polished look. Studs are also really big here, something that surprised me. Studs became super popular in the states last year, so I assumed that the Parisians were le tried of the them. Some of my favorite studs have been; a 4 year old's ballet flats a mix of gold and silver so she can wear them with any outfit, man's sneakers with  studs on the strips (imagine the Adidas strips, but made of different sized studs!), and cute bootie with studs just on the heel. Heels in general. Props to the women in Paris who trek around in sky high heels like it's their job, rain or shine. I have yet to see one wobble, you go girls!



BUSKERS

Actual Paris Metro

Back in B-town I was used to seeing the occasional guitarist on Kirkwood trying to make some cash to buy some Jimmy Johns or a 40oz beer, but here in Paris the buskers are everywhere, well underground that is. My first few days I was a little bummed that I hadn't been serenaded on the metro by an accordion player, but like they say , "be careful what you wish for". Now I can count on seeing a busker at least once a day, maybe not on my cab, but on the same train. Like any musicians some are a lot better than others, so go solo, some play with their 12 year old son, some play with 8 people, and some even lug a bass on the metro! So far I've only given money to two buskers. The first was a man in the passage ways on the metro singing No Women No Cry, and he did a really good job! I even made my friends stand at the end of the platform so we could hear him as we waited for the metro. The second was this weekend. I've seen the same violinist about 7 times now, and he finally got to me......He's this cute old man who always wears a brown jacket and black pin strip pants, a little brown hat, and a smile.

PEOPLE OF THE METRO
Upon request I will now be adding little stories of my best metro experiences. Normally on the metro strangers don't talk to each other, everyone keeps their heads down and is on their own path. Well not the other night! I was sitting on the bench waiting for my metro to arrive, and all of the sudden this man sits down next to me. I have to add that he had a plastic bag in his hand with a neck sticking out the top. I had my headphones in as a false sense of security, because he just started talking to me in French. I say sorry I don't speak French, he goes "Oh! that's okay I speak some English", ugh  I think to myself as I search the metro for at least one person to make desperate save me eye contact, no savor. Well he ended up being pretty harmless, told me he liked my music asked me why I was in Paris, then switched back to French. I wished him a good night and my metro arrived! On a lighter note here are some of my favorite people of the metro; old man decked out in fur; fur boots, fur pants, fur coat, fur hat, and a fur handbag with more fur stuffed in it! The tannest man I've seen so far, with a full size surfboard. Older lady rocking some awesome bright orange pants. And last but not least Erykah Badu's twin, the lady was soooo beautiful  I couldn't stop looking at her, she had Afro, very soulful eyes, and of course sky high heels!

Be Mine?

Yesterday marked the one month anniversary for Paris and me! And it got me thinking of the things that I've loved and not so much loved about Paris.

1. The Metro <3 & </3

I have a love hate relationship with the metro. The Thing that I love about the metro is ; every station, ride, metro number, and time of the day are a different the metro experience! Tonight I happened to get on a metro cab and a busker was playing “You are my Sunshine” a song that I love! But there was also a passenger spitting on the floor….Which leads me into things that I don’t like about the metro; some of them smell really super bad, shout out to Bastille!!! Being around so many people at once can be over whelming and uncomfortable! And I saved the worst for last…..the metro ticket police. :[

2. Everything is so old and beautiful <3

Today I went to one of the older churches in Paris, Saint Germain de-Pres. It was built in 543! The stone work was beautifully and the ceilings and columns were painted with intricate designs. I also recently visited Notre Dame which is celebrating it’s 850^th year! Such and amazing church and view of Paris! If Quasimodo did exist he certainly had a beautiful view! Besides the churches there are old mansions and kings palaces that are now used as museum and other public buildings that I get to explore!  So far I’ve been in Musee d’Orsay an old train station and the Louvre which was built in 1190 by King Philippe-Auguste to protect Paris from Viking raids!!!!!

3. There are so many cool things to do <3

Museums,  gardens, shopping, amazing food, every things cool to look at, adventure outside of Paris, and the occasional getting lost! I recently got to see my all time favorite Salvador Dali painting!!!

4. School </3 & <3

Besides not being in classes that I’m supper into or the fact that I can never find an open computer I like going to school.My favorite days of school are Tuesdays and Thursday, because of my French level 0 class. My professor is probably the coolest lady that has ever existed in Paris . She rocks some pretty cool outfits; first day bright blue doc martins, tight pants and white blousy chiffon top, an other day deep maroon leather pants, and lately she has been wearing these cool metallic sneakers. And of course love all the people I've met so far at Sciences Po.

5. They don’t have peanut butter </ 3

This is a self-explanatory thing I don’t love about Paris. 

I would like to end this post by asking; Paris. Voulez-vous être mon Valentin?

Yes/ No/ No Maybes!!!

The Tourist

The Louvre:

Last week I went to the Louvre twice! It's really great having a French student ID card, because a lot of museums will let you in for free. Since I can come and go as I please I've just gone in 2 hour spurts. Two hours at the Louvre is definitely enough for me! It's a pretty over whelming place to be, and some artsy people may hate me for this, but it got kind of boring after awhile! Don't get me wrong most of the painting are very impressive and so big! (anyone know how they do that, one big canvas or multiple ones?) But it can also get pretty repetitive.... naked babies, Jesus, prorates, repeat. Another half good, half bad thing is that all of the descriptions are in French, which I can not read. So it gave me an excuse to just look at the painting how ever I'd like, but if I wanted to know more I'd have to ask a friend to read to me... I also learned that going at night is pretty amazing. On Wednesday and Friday the Louvre is open till 9:45 and it's not crazy busy. I just waltzed right up to Mona Lisa and got her picture! Pretty great.

Musee d'Orsay:

I also made it to Musee d'Orsay this weekend. I'm in love!!! This museum had my two favorite things: impressionist paintings and things from the art nouveau period. The museum is a really nice size and you can cover it in one day. We spent almost 4 hours browsing around, and only missed one floor. I might be mistaken but the location used to be a metro station so there are a bunch of cool big clocks, one of which you can stand behind and look out on to Paris, so lovely. The only down side to the museum was that they don't let you take pictures :[ I tried to sneak a few, but they didn't turn out to well. I am definitely planning a trip back to Musee d'Orsay.

My last tourist activity of the week was taking an accidental  stroll by Hotel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and everything looked so wonderful :]