Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Today, we were privileged enough to have a breakfast picnic with my Art History class outside of Luxembourg Gardens. Definitely did not mind returning there as it's one of my favorite places in Paris. I've noticed the atmosphere changes from day to day. Every day I've been there, there's been a TON of runners. I wish I would have found this park when I was in the peak of my work out/ running phase - before I kind of gave up on it and decided to indulge in the pastries. I was also hesitant about getting lost in Paris, running alone because the only boys I know who run here are quite fast and run marathons, so that would have been interesting to join them.., and having to stop for cars when running around the city would have driven me crazier than it does when I have to stop when walking. Also, having to be aware of my surroundings, by turning down my headphones, would have just been too much of a hassle. It's not like me clothes are fitting tighter yet, so I should be in the clear upon returning to sunny San Diego in two weeks to kick off my beach season! The first time I went there with both Erins (McCabe and Hong) and Brittany Ford, it was an early afternoon during the week, so many businessmen were picnicking and reading by the pond and it seemed more as a place to relax and take a lunch break from the hectic work day in the crowded Paris, rather than meeting friends and family there to socialize. On this past Sunday, when I went with Erin Hong, Brittany Ford, Phillip Guichet, and Phillip's three friends from high school, Chip, Stefan, and Lauren, it was much more of a family day. There was an older crowd playing chess on the cement tables and many children playing with sail boats in the pond and pushing them around with a wooden rod given to them when renting the boats. There were many fathers and mothers giving their children piggy back rides and many grandparents strolling with their families around the part. Today, we were there for breakfast by the large pond by 9:30 AM, after another hectic metro train ride with lots of pushing and shoving to get on the train, hands reaching in my personal space to grab onto a bar to prevent the embarrassment of falling during the accidental and failed metro "surfing," and lots of sweating. We finally reached the gardens and were greeted by many runners getting in their morning jog before work. The sprinkling and cold morning really inspired me to go on a run, but I figured I haven't been on one thus far, so why start now, when there's so much I need to do before my departure to London this Friday. There were much less people sitting in the forest green chairs scattered throughout the pond, but a ton more walking and running to get their exercise. Still relaxing and a good mental health break, just a different kind.
Erin McCabe and I ventured down to Bon Marche, the massive department store, much similar to a Saks Fifth Avenue or a downtown Nordstroms in a ritzy neighborhood. So many sparkly lights, mirrors, and massive white walls. The clothes, purses, make up, lingerie - basically everything in the store - was stunning. The beauty and busy-ness of it kind of reminded me of Harrod's in London. I almost fell in love with a beautiful mustard Belle (from Beauty and the Beast)-like dress, until I glanced at the 3500 euro price tag. Motivation to follow my dreams of becoming a doctor right there.. We saw them setting up many bins in the lingerie department that appeared to be what they toss sale items in for big sales to force the customer to work for their discounted items. Erin and I decided to come back tomorrow during the apparently massive, Black Friday-like, Parisian style sale. Can't wait to see what it has to offer and if we'll be able to afford anything at all. It's interesting how they're having the biggest sale of the year the day after the Fete de la Musique concert, like we have Black Friday sales the morning after Thanksgiving - both are events that any Parisian, or American, has to celebrate to be apart of that culture.
Erin and I ventured around the shops we spotted on our way to Bon Marche with our Art History class and found a few stores that we're marking clothes down for tomorrow right before our eyes! Found a super cute, French looking flower printed tank top and royal dress. Erin got a matching dress but in turquoise and another belted one in pink! Both were very French looking! It helped to converse with the sales attendants in the little French Erin knew and for me to be respectful in English, as when I politely asked if anything would be marked down tomorrow, we were given discounts off of the clothes, even though our sizes would have definitely been gone it we waited until tomorrow. We later encountered a very rude sales woman, who although there were beautiful clothes in her stop, we could not encourage her attitude, so we left the store with an "non merci, au voir." Kill them with kindness. I also found a beautiful black leather biker jacket that I refrained myself from buying even with Erin's encouragement to splurge. It's what I've been looking for for the past year when I was first introduced into the leather jacket culture in Italy. I bought a brown one from Italy, but have never wanted an article of clothing so bad. I know this sounds a little pretentious, but when someone asks me where I got something, and I'm able to say, "Oh, when I was living in Paris this past summer," it just makes me feel like I have a well-travelled life and makes me proud to do all the things I have done only being 19 years old. If I go back to the store tomorrow, and the jacket is still there, I am definitely buying it. It's probably the softest leather I've touched on a jacket; I try not to touch the super expensive leather jackets as I'm scared I might have dirty hands or something that would damage the leather forcing me to buy it..Sounds crazy, right?
Back to Fete de la Musique - today's main event! It's an annual Parisian musical event held every June 21st on nearly every street in Paris. Hundreds of musicians gather in the streets, bars, cafes, and parks in Paris (we even saw them settting up a stage in Luxembourg Gardens today). FREE performances are available all over the city in nearly every music genre from jazz and rokc to hip-hop and electronic music. Can't wait to have something for free after today's little shopping indulgence that broke my checking account..It's going to be crazy trying to get around with the thousands upon thousands of people gathering the streets, especially with this crazy metro strike going down. Starting to think that started the strike in time for them to get in optimal time at the concerts and for the big sales tomorrow. Hey, at least all the walking I'm getting in will work off the massive breakfast I had (plain croissant before the picnic, then chocolate croissant, sour gummy candies, and spicy chili Pringles at the potluck with my Art History class), the first Parisian hot dog I've eaten so far (or should I count it as two since they load two hot dogs onto a baguette cut in half and douse it in cheese), and the Belgium chocolates I devoured today. At least it's kind of logical as chocolate is kind of like caffeine so the amount I had woke me up. I'm excited to be able to explore many of the different arrondissements that I wouldn't have been drawn to otherwise as each one has a type of music unique to it.
No comments:
Post a Comment