impressionist lover's interpretation of modern art

General Idea's AIDS wallpaper

Alexandre Singh's
"La Critique de l'´Ecole des Objets"

i have a lot of respect for people who identify contemporary artists among their favorites.  when people ask me who my favorite artist is, i always say monet.  but, let's face it, it's pretty hard not to like monet.  so, when it comes to art, i always try to go outside of my comfort zone and try to be a modern art appreciator.  with that goal in mind, i went to the musée d'art moderne and palais de tokyo yesterday.  the first exhibit i saw at the musée de l'art moderne was entitled "HAUTE CULTURE: GENERAL IDEA une rétrospective, 1969-1994."  this was, by far, the most avant garde art i had ever seen.  there was a lot of emphasis on sexuality and the fight against AIDS, with the most notable piece (and my personal favorite) as a play on the LOVE sculpture to make a similar image with "AIDS."  the next exhibit i saw was the Van Dongen exhibit, which showcase post-impressionist (art history friends can help me with that time period identification) that were diverse in their subject and style.  some painting were very typical scenes of buildings around europe, such as his painting of sacre coeur, whereas others were semi-abstract paintings of nude women with slightly masculine bodies.  after looking at the permanent collection, we were off to palais de tokyo.  palais de tokyo is housed inside a warehouse-like building, unlike anything i have seen in paris, but very typical of new york.  the major work we saw was a light and sound installation by Alexandre Singh, entitled "La Critique de l'École des Objets," which was a conversation between objects about people.  It was unique, to say the least, humorous, and an interested way to turn ourselves inward and really gain perspective on human life.  art, to me, is something that provokes emotion or thought, so while it certainly didn't make you stop and say, "oh, well now, that's beautiful," it definitely made me think.  all in all, my love of art has been broadened.

le bucket list

four exams and twelve pages of paper later, i'm officially done with all my academic commitments for my semester in paris.  it's hard to believe that my semester here is almost over.  i had a moment of reckoning about a month ago when i was with my friends "studying" in the jardin du luxembourg, and so we decided to make our own paris bucket list.  since, i've been done with classes, that's what i've been working on.  every day in paris has become that much more precious.  there are museums to visit, shops to visit, clubs and bars to go to, and restaurants to eat at.  most exciting, though, is my sister's upcoming visit to paris.  it's been over four months since i've seen her, our longest time apart ever.  i can't wait to see her and share my beloved paris with her.

atelier d'œnologie (wine tasting)

tonight, i was lucky enough to take advantage of yet another one of educo's amazing activities, a wine tasting.  we all met in the sommelier's atelier for a sampling of wines and cheese.  after learning a little wine geography (geography never sounded so fun), we started tasting wines.  our first wine was a white mâcon from bourgogne.  a nice dry white, it paired wonderfully with the cheese (in my opinion, though, all wine and cheese are good together).  i would like to try it with some fish, maybe salmon?  we learned how to probably taste wine from smelling it, to letting it breathe, to tasting it properly so as to get all the flavors.  next up was a michel lenique rosé champagne.  this would be an ideal aperitif (pre-dinner drink).  next we moved on to the red, started with a light, fruity chénas from near beaujoulais that tasted strongly of cassis (the liqueur that makes kirs, my favorite french cocktail.  i feel like it would go great with anything really.  our second red was a minervois from languedoc (the south) that was was very strong with a note of licorice.  it would go great with a steak, lamb, or duck.  the last wine was a very sweet and fruity white muscat, great for dessert.  the entire experience was very informative and enjoyable, and i definitely want to to try a greater variety of wines before i leave france.

parents in paris

this past week, my parents visited me in paris.  honestly, it was one of the best weeks of my life.  it started last monday.  upon arrival, tons of hugs, and the giving of my carefully prepared gift basket, my parents were whisked off for "hallie mitnick's tour of the louvre."  now, i'm no rick steves, however, i think i did a pretty good job showing them the highlights.  their first parisian meal was salad and hot chocolate at angelina, then we were off the famed rue st. honoré for some shopping.  tuesday, after lunch at la durée, we attempted to go to the musée d'orsay.  finding it quite crowded, we decided to come back and took a leisurely walk along the seine to the latin quarter, where we spent the afternoon.  we dined at le grand colbert with some of my parents' friends.  wednesday, my roommate, brittany, who's studying in milan, came to paris to spend the day with me and my parents before her parents arrived.  after a breakfast of crepes, we met my parents at notre dame, which never seems to lose its magic.  then we were off to the lesser know saint-chapelle to see the ornate stained glass.  we took the metro to the arc de triomphe and then walked down the champs-elysées and avenue montaigne.  we dined at the local wine bar, a personal favorite.  thursday, we made our second and much more successful attempt to go to the musée d'orsay where we also saw the new manet exhibit which was excellent!  we then went to bon marché, a classic parisian department store, and then went up to the eighteenth to see sacre coeur.  last stop was the musée d'orangerie for a little more impressionism.  friday, we were up with the sun to get to the palace of versailles, which was just as if not more extraordinary than the last time i was there.  back in paris, we spent some time in the marais, with a lunch of falafel.  we drank champagne with my host family and then were off to the classic brasserie, bofinger.  saturday, we went to the invalides and then lunched at the lovely rue cler, a street full of food shops and cafés.  we attempted to go the opera house and found it closed.  sunday was my birthday!  i woke to a showering of good wishes and some gifts, and then we were off to my local market to make up our picnic lunch.  dinner was exceptional at le jules verne, the restaurant in the eiffel tower.  surely, one for the record books.  there's something special about switching gears from tourist to tour guide, especially when you're guiding the two people who not only influenced you in every way possible but also shared in and celebrated your dream of going to paris.  my parents did everything they could and then some to help me achieve this dream, and it was an honor and a delight to share my life in paris with them.

spring break, partie trois: nice and monaco

BEST HOSTEL EVER.  just the beginning of fun in nice.  nice was beautiful.  we spent our first day at the famous flower and fruit market and then on the beautiful beach.  a friend told me to look at the water and that is was two shades of blue (take a look at my picture).  the beach was covered in large pebbles and the sun felt so good.  the next day we were off to the principality of monaco for a touch of glamour.  the prince's palace was fantastic (cameras were prohibited, so i have no pictures, but google it!).  we then saw the port with all the luxurious yachts and the monte carlo casino with flashy cars galore.  back to our hostel we went, and we finished our break with another visit to the market.  one of the best trips ever!

spring break, partie deux: aix-en-provence

old town of aix

atelier de cezanne

provençal lavender

our next stop was the picturesque town of aix-en-provence.  after dropping our bags at our adorable little hotel, we headed to the old part of town where we semi-inadvertently ran into some friends.  we all shared a lovely provençal meal.  in the morning we explored the old town, where we found another market selling lots of provençal lavender.  then we were off to cezanne's studio which was lovely.  i was truly struck by how simple it was.  then we were back at the train stations to head to nice.

spring break, partie une: lyon

cathedral fourvière

astronomical clock at st. jean-baptiste 

brioche aux pralines

the view from our picnic spot

cheese from the market

my first stop on my spring break adventure with my friend tate was lyon, food capital of france and france's second largest city.  we went by train, which is, in my opinion, the best way to travel through france.  upon arriving, we took the tram from the train station to the tram stop near our hotel, which happened to be right by this beautiful park.  we got our hotel, dropped our things, and then were off to vieux lyon (old lyon), especially to see the cathedral fourvière.  the cathedral was amazing, a was the cathedral down the hill, cathedral st. jean-baptiste.  then we were off to the famous brasserie georges for famous lyonnais sausage.  day 2 brought us to the local market at quai des celestins, which was amazing.  we enjoyed a lunch of baguette, st. marcellin cheese (a local speciality and new favorite) and beaujoulais (also a local specialty) along with traditional lyonnais sausage brioche and strawberries.  after enjoying our luxurious picnic on the côte du rhone (coast of the rhone river... like the wine), we walked through vieux lyon and enjoyed all the shops.  we also ate a tradition south of france pastry, the praline brioche which was to die for.  our last say in lyon found us back at the market for similar fare and then we were off to aix-en-provence.

cooking class

the girls with madame

monday evening, after my very exciting weekend, the fun continued with a gourmet cooking class.  the most lovely madame i have ever met welcomed us into her beautiful apartment.  we made cheese tarts with a sort of pesto sauce, veal that fell apart when you cut it, and panna cotta.  the best part, though, was the conversation with this lovely lady who had seen so much of the world and had so much to share with us.  it was truly lovely.  definitely one of the best things i've done in paris.

the beginnings of my travels around france

lille

me and danielle

market in beaune

this past weekend, i commenced my travels around france.  on friday i was off to lille in northern france, a city with a strong flemish influence.  our day started in the picturesque town square and then we were off with our tour guide, sylvie, to see a church that was a mix of old and new architecture.  then, we were off to the hospices de la comtesse.  after a typical flemish lunch, we went to the musée des beaux arts, which is the second most important museum in france (it's impossible to beat the louvre).  after grabbing a quick speculoos gaufre (waffle) for the train ride, back to paris we went.  saturday morning, i was up with the metro (not quite: fun fact-the metro opens at 5 AM) to head with the rest of EDUCO to Bourgogne (Burgundy).  Our EXTREMELY skilled bus driver dropped us in beautiful Beaune and we walked right into the market!  After a quick purchase of cassis (for kirs, obviously... cassis is a regional specialty), i was off to a lunch of... what else... boeuf bourgignon!  thank you to julie and julia for making this amazing dish so well known.  after lunch, we visited the famous hotel dieu-hospices de beaune and then were off to the caves of reine-pédauque for a wine tasting (so fun!).  after a scenic drive through the vineyards of bourgogne, we ended up at the charming inn where we dined and stayed the night.  we were up with the sun (again, exaggeration... i don't LOVE getting up early on weekends) to head to l'abbé de fontenay and then to the city on a hill, vezelay for a typical bourgogne meal and a view of the beautiful basilique.  ten postcards later, i found myself back in paris!

l'abbé de fontenay

basilique-vezelay

hope you didn't forget about me! and my attempt at being a fashion blogger...

i can't believe it's been almost two weeks since i've written; remember at the beginning when i was so good about blogging and wrote everyday?  sorry!  the reason why i haven't written is because i've been very busy with schoolwork.  that's right... schoolwork.  i had two papers due wednesday, a book to finish, and i have another paper due next wednesday which i probably should be writing right now.  but enough about schoolwork.  since i haven't really done much sightseeing, except for a walk on rue st. honoré (the crème de la crème of paris shopping) with my childhood friend, carly lehman, i've decided to dedicate this blog to my observations about parisian fashion.

PARISIAN FASHION MUST-HAVES

1. longchamp bags: they are as ubiquitous as red wine.  I have to say that more women than not have them, and I've seen many men carrying their laptops in Longchamp cases (Dad, maybe this could be for you?)  Mine has been my everyday school bag, and the wear of three years of Hallie is showing. But, in my opinion, like red wine, Longchamps get better with age.  Except when the zipper won't work as you're getting on the Metro.  Not that that happened to me.  Don't worry, that CAN be fixed.
2. tote bags in general: whether it's a Goyard tote (LOVE) or the canvas bag you carry your groceries in, every woman carries two bags, her purse and her tote bag.  Being your average tote bag addict, I feel very at home with this Parisian style. 
3. Nice shoes for men: gentlemen (i have like three male readers, but oh well.  ladies, tell your friends!), leave your sneakers and timberland boots at home.  shiny dress shoes are for everyday wear here on the city on the seine, but loafers are good too.  anything athletic, ditch it!
4. SCARVES: whether you're four or fourty (or almost twenty-one, yay!), you must wear scarves.  this has nothing to do with body temperature maintenance.  scarves are a statement.  solids are your go-to scarves, but don't forget some patterns (flower for women and sometimes men, stripes for men-very popular, burberry for all people, and the huge knitted scarves also for all genders.
5. black is the new... EVERY COLOR.  self-explanatory.
6. oxford shoes: only hipsters in the US can pull them off, but in paris, everyone can dress like a hipster.  even someone who has half a dozen ribbon belts in her closet (though i haven't tried it yet).  
7. shorts+tights: wasn't sure about this combo before i left the US, but i've gathered that you must wear something under your shorts to be in fashion in paris.  also haven't tried this one.
8. MAN PURSES: all shapes, styles, prices, patterns....

hope you found this post informative, or at least amusing!  tomorrow i'm off to lille and then bourgogne for the weekend with my program, and then it's one week until spring break!  bisous!

my first weekend in paris in a month!

can you believe it?  for the last month, i have been a negligent friend to my beloved city.  but, this weekend, i was here!  thursday after class i spent some time in the first arrondisement, the highlight of which was my trip to goyard, home of the most beautiful tote bags in the world!  then, i was off to sacre coeur, the last of paris's major monuments i had yet to visit.  it was spectacular.  i've reached the point where i feel that i could see a million churches and still love all of them.  there is something about religious art that is inherently special; perhaps, it is the attention and love that goes into it that makes it just so beautiful.  friday, i was off to the musée de cluny (middle ages) which is housed in the most amazing building.  then i wandered up across the seine past notre dame to berthillon, home of the most famous ice cream in paris.  it was so creamy, more like the gelato of italy.  i had praline and salted caramel flavor... yum!  i've been a bit of a homebody for the rest of the weekend, except for a venture to my local wine bar with my friend danielle last night.  à bientôt!  bisous!

so much to tell! milanese adventures and little bit of paris

ciao!  bonjour!  sorry to have been a negligent blogger... i've been busy!  last week was a really good week!  after classes tuesday, wednesday, and thursday, i devoted friday to sightseeing.  first, i walked up rue royale, home of some of the spiffiest shops. current windowshopping favorites include: massimo dutti, HERMES, and longchamp.  i nearly fainted out of love for the scarves at hermes.  then i was off to see the beautiful madeleine church for a little architecture amidst my visits to the haute couture boutiques.  then i took a lovely walk to the opera garnier, a spectacular building inside and out.  then, as has often happened during my almost two months in paris, i nearly tripped over something wonderful... galeries lafayette (paris's premier department store).  no, i did not go in, because the place is a complex, and i just wasn't ready yet.  but soon, i will be ready!  i walked some of the way home, passing palais royal as well.  saturday morning i was off to visit  my roommate brittany in milan.  upon arriving i was whisked away to the magnificent duomo and luini's for panzerotta (fried calzones).  after a stroll through the galleria (ciao, prada!), we went to the castle (similar to the ones in fairy tales).  then we went the the national cemetary, which was a spectacular sight to behold.  rows upons rows of sarcophagi and monuments to the wealthy milanese family awaited us with some truly spectacular architecture.  definitely a must see that could easily be overlooked!  thenm we were off to aperitivo for cocktails and snacks at the local cafe before making dinner (pasta, of course) and gong to a concert.  sunday, we woke up early to tour brittany's school, a wonderful cathedral and the couture shops of milan. thenm we found ourselves back at the duomo with some delicious sandwiches taking in the sight of children dressed up for carnevale and tourists photographing the magnificent building.  what an amazing trip!!  back in paris, i started off my day at place des vosges, looking at all the neat art shops and then was off the a macaron-making class.  the macarons were delicious, and i can't wait to make them again!  now until spriung break, i'm staying in paris, so there is much sightseeing to come!  check out my mobileme for milan pictures!  bisoux!

all my pictures!

if you have a lot of time on your hands, i consistently upload all my pictures to my mobile me: hallie's photos.  i try to put a selection on my blog too!  :)

the second most beautiful city in the world

paris, mon amour, takes the cake HOWEVER prague is a close second.  i was lucky enough to spend this weekend in prague with my friend ben.  it was truly an amazing trip.  after we got off the plane we hopped on a bus to the metro and took the metro to the station nearest to our hotel which happened to be five minutes from the old town square.  location location location.  after checking in and leaving our things, it was off the old town square to take in the sheer architectural bliss, climb the town hall tower, go to the church of the virgin mary of tyn, and, in my case at least, take a million pictures.  we enjoyed dinner at the wine bar at our hotel.  we also briefly visited the jewish quarter.  saturday was all about the famous charles bridge that connects the two major parts of prague.   a destination in itself, the bridge gives some spectacular views of both the old town square and the prague castle.  we spent some time in the lesser town walking around and then were led by my trusty fodor's essential europe to kavarna slavia, the most famous café in prague for some tradition czech fare.  then we visited the church of st. nicholas, truly a sight to behold with a dome not unlike that of st. peter's basilica (sorry i always come back to this) in the vatican, except on a much smaller scale.  sunday, we were off to the prague castle, which is a complex of beautiful building all nestled upon a hill.  thus commenced my photo shoot from atop the tower of st. vitus's cathedral of views of prague.  more time was spent in the lesser quarter, followed by a very special visit to the old-new synagogue.  prague was a city of beauty, untouched by history, and i absolutely loved it.

daily pleasures of la parisienne

my dear readers, i realized something.  i have begun to only blog about what happens from friday to monday, which could leave you wondering, "what in the world is hallie doing on tuesday, wednesday, and thursday?"  now, i haven't been inclined to write about my weekday activities because they're not at the "OH MY GOSH, IT'S THE MONA LISA!" level of excitement, BUT that is not to say they're not exciting.  so, for this post, i have decided to make a list of the little things in my everyday life that excite me.

1. the bread vending machine at my local monoprix (grocery store).  for one euro, i get a steaming hot baguette in under 2 minutes.  i'm pretty sure it's magic.  they have a vending machine... for bread.  this is truly a beautiful place.

2. my eiffel tower keychain.  it's shiny, gold, and maybe a little bit tacky.  BUT i can always find my keys and it's a constant reminder that i'm here living my dream.

3.  postcards.  they sell them everywhere.  I LOVE POSTCARDS.  for others, for myself, for EVERYONE.  they have postcards of places, food, people, and anything you could imagine.

4.  my moleskine planner.  a parisian purchase, i carry it with me everywhere, mapping out study schedules, sightseeing schedules, travels, and sometimes i find it on my bed when i'm going to sleep.  i'm obsessed.  i can't believe i get to have it all year.

5. french universities' coffee vending machine.  you may be thinking, "vending machine coffee?  really, hallie?"  but no.  for 40-50 centimes (eurocents, as i refer to them), i get a cute little plastic cup with a cappucino with a hint of chocolate in it.  delicious.  on wednesdays, when i have class all day, i usually have three.  maybe that's why i'm still awake?

6.  juice in glass bottles.  i feel like i'm saying, "good morning, world.  i'm classy... cheers!"

7.  the best crepes reside between me and my metro, bastille.  all visitors, prepare yourself.  we're stopping there.

this weekend, i'm bound for prague... czech it out!  haha.  sorry.

london calling!

cheers, readers!  i had a wonderful whirlwind weekend in london with my friend danielle.  we left thursday right after grammar class, and got to our hostel at about 8:30 (20h30, for those of you keeping European time).  i am obliged to wax poetic about my hostel.  i found generator hostel london in my fodor's essential europe guide book, so i knew it was going to be good.  the best way to describe generator was a dorm for grown ups in the 18-35 age range.  my friend danielle and i shared a bedroom with two guys and there was a communal bathroom.  there was a 24 hr. reception desk, security at night, a laundry room, and a bar.  i loved it... a great value, and lots of fun too.  glamorous it was not, but compared to my boat hostel in amsterdam, the generator was on another level.  our sightseeing began after free breakfast at the hostel (forgot to mention that) with buckingham palace, big ben, the house of parliament, and westminster abbey.  i have to confess that it was a little surreal to turn around and see big ben right there behind me.  the eiffel tower has a similar effect on me.  i guess i like really tall buildings? anyways, after a full day of sightseeing, we went shopping!  oh, the shopping.  i shall henceforth call the corner with harrods on one side, topshop on the other, and zara on the other, the bermuda triangle of shopping.  s.s. hallie got caught!  only a little bit, but anyone who knows me well knows that i am liable to get caught in such triangles.  harrods was an experience unto itself (i really could write a whole entry about harrods, but i'm not going to).  the food hall was like dean deluca (the market one, not the restaurant one) in the city times a million!  i love that british department stores (selfridge's had it too) have made fine food an integral part of their stores, a true treat for a gastronomical gal such as myself.  other shopping highlights include cath kidston and liberty of london.  after a full day, we went back to the generator, changed our clothes, and went out to a pub, marquis cornwallis, for some aspall's cider (yum) and traditional pub food.  the next day was a little more laid-back.  i met my friend josh who's studying abroad in london and we went to the british museum (see picture of him with the ROSETTA STONE) and for lunch at a pub.  then, danielle and i went to see the tower of london and the tower bridge and then were off to the indoor shops at covent garden and had yummy indian food for dinner (my choice).  to get back to our hostel, we took a really fun bike taxi.  our last day in london was spent mostly at the brick lane market, a suggestion from my friend tate.  there were foodseller, clothing stands, and everything you could imagine!  a must see if you're in london that isn't covered by the guide books.  to top it off, there was a little more shopping and then a flight home.  i loved london so much and can't wait to go back someday!

sunday is market day

the sunday before last, i woke up to find it market day in the bastille.  sadly, with my newfound love of late nights (or rather, adjustment to a parisian schedule), i had not made it up in time to see the market in full swing.  this past weekend, i made it my mission to wake up "early" on sunday, and it was well worth it.  the market in the bastille on sundays is a combination of a farmers' market and an artisans' market, with more emphasis on the food.  there were hoards of people shopping for fresh fish, mediterranean delicacies, cheese, meat, produce, clothes, jewelry, soap, and all sorts of bake goods.  it was so fun!  a picture's worth a thousand words, and below are a few for you.

i love paris

ok so i don't get points for creativity with that title, but it is very appropriate for my blog entry for today.  it is a beautiful day here in paris.  the sun is shining, and the weather is temperate.  i didn't even need a jacket.  i already loved paris, even when it was cold, but today made me so excited for paris in the springtime.  the day started off with a field trip to the invalides and napoleon's tomb for my museums and cultural material class.  with a great tour guide, my class saw the exhibit of WWII.  what struck me the most about the exhibit was the way in which the french give the americans so much credit for their success and freedom.  growing up in an era when the french were sometimes rebuffed by certain politicians for being anti-american, i have to say that this museum proves otherwise.  ok, political rant over.  sorry.  also, we got to see napoleon's tomb which is house in a beautiful building with a dome that reminded me of st. peter's basilica at the vatican (does anyone else see the similarity?).  it was gorgeous, just as you'd expect it to be.  then my friend tate and i headed to the 12th for a cooking class.  that's right, ladies and gentlemen, i combined my two loves, food and french into one 15 euro package.  and i got lunch!  we made a delicious chicken with zucchini.  the cooking studio was housed in printemps, one of paris's premier department store, so naturally, a little browsing took place after class.  and i'm off for dinner at my local wine bar with some friends tonight.  good wine and good friends?  what could be better.

a champagne saturday...

Yesterday, I ventured to Epernay, capital of the Champagne region for my friend Chrissy's birthday.  After catching an early train out of Paris (during which I wrote my last blog post), we arrived in Epernay just as the "degustations" (tastings) were starting.  We tasted four champagnes.  The first maison (house) that we went to was Charles Ellner.  Very fancy and very good, Charles Ellner was a great first venture into the world of champagne, as the proprietor explained to us how champagne is made and priced.  Champagne is mostly priced by the cost of the grapes, with about 1.5 kilograms of grapes going into each bottle.  Next, we were off to my favorite for the day, Champagne Dallancourt.  The proprietor was this lovely french woman with three young sons who were equally adorable.  In an intimate setting, she told us about her champagne.  This was so much fun, and I ended up going home with a bottle of her rosé champagne.  Next we went to Achille Princier, which had a tour and a degustation.  The caves were so cool, and it was great to learn about the process of making champagne (I kind of want to make my own now).  Last, we went to André Bergere, which was a great end to a great day!

A parisian day

With no classes on Friday (or Monday for that matter), my weekends are extended, which is great for sightseeing. Yesterday, I made my second visit to the Louvre, finding it most prudent to take one or part of each of the three sections every time I visit. Yesterday, I saw French sculptures, Renaissance art, some of the Mesopotamia collectiong and visited the salles de Napoleon (a personal favorite) once again. Some highlights include: the great statues of the horses of Marly, Hammurabi's code, lots of dishes (Mom, this made me think of you) and some neat medals and coins (Dad) and lots of tapestries. Back to Hammurabi's code... While the cool factor was huge, I sort of thought "so that's it?" When I saw it. I think I was hoping to be able to read it or something, forgetting that it is in some ancient language of which I have no knowledge. It was still great to see it, another surreal parisian experience. Then, I was off to one of the great sights of Paris, Notre Dame, which I loved. Regardless of your religious beliefs, there is something inherently spiritual and moving about Notre Dame that nearly brought me to tears. For dinner, it was moules frites, at Leon per Bizbie's recommendation and then off to my local wine bar for another journey into the wonderful world of French wine. Today, I'm spending the day in Champagne for one of my friend's birthdays.
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hallo, amsterdam!

this past weekend, i took my first excursion of my european adventure to amsterdam.  we took the train from gare du nord, a metro ride away from my house.  it was about three hours before we arrived in amsterdam, going through belgium (i'm considering visting brussels... thoughts?).  upon arriving in amsterdam, we had lunch then went to our hostel.  this was my first hostel experience, and special is the only word that can describe it.  first of all, it was a boat.  the christina to be exact.  after walking in the cold around the dock for fifteen minutes, we arrived to boat which looked like no one was there.  so, naturally, i started inquisitively and loudly saying hallo, hallo (hello in dutch) when finally the host woman popped her head out of the door (door meaning shutters for a little space in which you slide into the boat).  then, she showed us our rooms.  now, i have to confess, when i made the reservation, they said that the rooms, even though they had four beds were best suited to three people.  however, in the interest of keeping costs at a minimum, four of us reserved the room.  i probably should have listened to website.  the room was so small, but we all decided it would be a good story to tell when we're old.  then, we went to anne frank's house, which was a really special and touching experience.  it really made me feel connected to my jewish heritage.  then, we went to the heineken brewery which was a lot of fun!  the next day, we went to the van gogh museum which was so beautiful and a great memorial to a troubled but very talented figure in 19th century art.  it was a beautiful city to visit, though not for the gastronomically minded (dutch cuisine is kind of lacking).  a great first adventure.

first week of class... done! amsterdam, here i come!!

And the journey continues... classes have begun, and I am officially a French student (dream come true!).  I started off the week with Hallie Mitnick's grand tour of Université de Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris I, for short).  I'd heard that the building was confusing, so I figured it would be a good idea to find all my classes.  On the grand tour, I was lucky enough to find a wonderful Chinese restaurant, as Paris I is located in Chinatown (what a find!).  Before I discuss my classes, I have to say a few things about Paris I.  Paris I is a highly industrial building, with graffiti on the wall of the classrooms and lots of people smoking outside.  Not much to write home about in terms of ambiance HOWEVER I did find coca cola light for 1 euro and coffee for 50 centimes (win!).  The first class I went to was an advanced art history class that, after thirty minutes, I realized was not going to work out.  My second class was history of international relations.  Finally, I had arrived.  The professor is great, and the material looks really interesting.  My third class was Modern French History, with a great TA and lots of friends in my class!  Today, I had art history and museums, an EDUCO class that was great too.   As a reward for my rigorous week, I'm going to Amsterdam tomorrow with some friends.  Can't wait to go to the home of the Van Gogh Museum, Heineken factory, Anne Frank's house, wooden shoes and edam cheese (the last two are for you, Mom)! Hallo, Amsterdam!!

the eiffel tower and paris I

yesterday i hit one of the most major landmarks i have missed in my whirlwind sightseeing tour, the eiffel tower.  it was truly magnificent.  for some reason, i was surprised by the industrial appearance of it.  this could be because i have a gold keychain of it and/or have seen a million limoge boxes of a painted eiffel tower.  anyways, it was truly amazing and a bit surreal to see the eiffel tower in the flesh.  today, i went to paris I where i'll be studying to find all my classrooms... tomorrow's the first day of class!  bisoux!

monet

upon arriving in paris, i heard that there was a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit on monet in paris that was ending this monday.  being the crazed monet fan that i am, i absolutely HAD to go.  except, i went online and couldn't get tickets.  i tried to console myself, but still felt the strong pull of impressionist art.  then, my friend luisa told me that the exhibition was open 24hrs/day until in closed from now on and that she was going late last night.  we arrived at 11:15pm, waited 1.5 hours with two hundred of our closest friends, and finally went it.  it is a testament to the french value placed on art that so many people were there.  and it was truly exceptional.  i'm so glad i did it.

versailles

yesterday, EDUCO took us on an excursion to versailles.  only thirty minutes outside of paris, versailles is a spectacle like no other.  everything about the building is ornate, from the golden gate to the edging along the walls (sorry i forget what that's called) to the furniture (beautiful tapestries) to the woodwork (the rolltop desks made me think of my parents).  it was a great excursion!

trying to do as much sightseeing as possible... phew!

in my effort to see as much of the city as i can, i feel as though i've been a negligent blogger, so this will be a longer entry (if i don't fall asleep first).  yesterday was a great day starting with a coffee date then a walk along the seine to the EDUCO (my program) center in the Latin Quarter.  then, i was off to lunch at le crous, the cafeteria for students in paris.  however, this was a cafeteria unlike any other.  for a mere 3 euros. i was able to have beet salad, a goat cheese tart, zuchinni, and yogurt.  it was fabulous.  then i had a meeting with my academic advisors about choosing classes.  then, i was back walking along the seine to musée d'orsay.  yesterday was topped off by dinner with my host sisters.  today, i got a late start, and had my first non-french meal at hello sushi, right near the louvre.  then, the louvre.  the museum of all museums.  i saw the napoleon rooms, the mona lisa, and the venus de milo.  i think i need to go back to the louvre approximately 6 more times to feel as though i have given it proper attention.  then, i walked along rue de rivoli and the surrounding area for a bit of shopping and happened upon pierre hermé, the place my host mother said has the best macaroons in town.  and they were delightful.  then, i found myself back at angelina, home of the famous hot chocolate, and then i was off the the champs elysées for a stroll and then to see a french play.  phew, i'm exhausted.  tomorrow, i'm touring the universities and hopefully seeing the monet exhibit.

my address

hallie mitnick

chez gentil

16, rue des taillandiers

paris 75011

la famille gentil(le)

bonjour mes amis!  sorry i haven't written so long; i just figured out the internet in my host family's apartment.  these last two days have been whirlwind, and i can't wait to tell you about them.  yesterday, after waking up very late (delayed reaction jet lag?), i spent my last few hours in place d'italie at the hotel running errands.  then, it was off to my host family.  needless to say, i was very nervous.  i was nervous that: i wouldn't be able to get all my huge american bags up to their apartment on the 5th floor (there was an elevator, and all of them fit in with me in one trip, thank you very much), would they understand me (they all speak various amounts of english and somehow understand my french), would there be enough room for all my clothes (there is), and finally, would we connect (we did!).  the word "gentil" in french means very nice (like especially so).  think gentiles (very nice people who hid jews).  the gentil family completely lives up to its name.  they are composed of: monsieur and madame gentil and their two daughters, henriette and gabrielle.  last night, they helped me bring all my very heavy bags up to my room, and we all enjoyed a lovely, very french dinner together.  when i asked madame gentil about a tailor for my pants, she said she would help me do it tonight (tres gentille).  today, gabrielle spent quite awhile helping me set up the internet (tres gentille aussi).  they're absolutely lovely.  i feel so lucky.

recent photos

la première semaine (the first week)

sorry i haven't written so long.  it's hard to believe that it's only been a week since i've left home for paris!  what a wonderful end to the week it has been.  yesterday, i started off the day at musée de l'orangerie, a small museum that showcases some monet (to my pure delight) and a personal collection containing some impressionist and post-impressionist (i think) pieces.  i would definitely recommend the museum to anyone destined for paris, as it is small, very accessible, and in a great location (right near rue de rivoli and le jardin des tuileries).  then, i was off to lunch (if hot chocolate and a croissant constitute lunch) at angelina, world famous for their hot chocolate.  it was heavenly.  then, i stopped at repetto (mecca for ballet flats) and was off to my final french class (thank goodness).  this week has consisted of my first forays into french shopping and nightlife, and i have to confess, i like both very much.  tomorrow, i'm moving in with my host family, and i cannot wait.  until then, bisoux (xoxo)!

i promise to start taking pictures of people soon...

but how fabulous are they??

the difference between a plate and napkin

today was a wonderful day here in the city of lights, though i must confess to you, i had my first major french error.  i was having lunch at this adorable café near paris VII and needed another napkin (une serviette). i pointed to the girl across from me's napkin and asked for une assiette (plate).  i was confused when he brought her a plate and then finally (with the help of the girls i was lunching with) realized i had asked for the right thing.  i got to look at the course catalog today (inner bookish self explodes with excitement), and i'm so excited to pick my courses.  another wonderful dinner in place d'italie with my hotel roommate (haven't moved to my homestay yet).  a bientot!

Jour Deux: I don't think the glamour will ever wear off of Paris!

Today was a jam-packed day in the life of La Parisienne.  It started early with breakfast at my hotel and then my first Metro experience.  Note: All public transit systems should model themselves after the Metro, for it is an amazing thing.  It is simple, clean, and fast.  Also, there is a gentleman selling fruit outside my Metro stop.  I spent the morning in orientation with a charming lunch at a restaurant near Paris VII (espresso with lunch... this is a wonderful place).  Then, I had afternoon French class.  Upon my return to Place d'Italie and my wonderful hotel, I did a little shopping (French stationary store and beauty shop=Hallie's dream).  Someone asked me for directions!  This means one of two things.  One, I look like une parisienne.  Two, I look like a fellow lost person.  Either way, it was really exciting (for those of you who are wondering, I didn't know which way their hotel was).  Then I had my first French café experience.  With my glass of red wine and brie sandwich, I watched as people young and old smiled, laughed, and lived.  There really is a reason that joie de vivre is a French concept.  French people live their everyday lives with joy, and it is something to which I aspire.  That was followed by Love et les Autre Drogues at the local cinema.  Watching a fun, hip movie in French is exciting, but also very telling about the things they missed in all my years of French.  French may be the language of love, but this love story provided a whole new set of vocabulary.  It was another great day!

first day in paris

I have arrived, and I'll never be the same again.  Paris is the most beautiful city I've ever seen.  Everywhere you look, there is amazing architecture.  I just want to take a picture of every building.  Every street corner has an adorable little restaurant with water served in class bottles, lots of wine, and delicious-looking food.  I have yet to experience the corner café  I'm currently staying at Hotel de Citadines in a cute little studio (emphasis on "little," my bags look even larger in France).  I'm not moving in with my host family for a week, but I have all their information.  It's a mother, father, and two daughters, and I spoke to one of the daughters this evening, and she seemed lovely.  I can't wait to meet them!  What amazes me about Paris, too, is how even cheap food is delicious (my lunch=crepes avec fromage at a greasy spoon=excellent).  I went on a bus tour of the monuments this afternoon and took the first of many pictures of the Eiffel Tower. Paris, je t'aime!

paris bound!

Paris bound!!
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It's here!

Hooray!  The day I've been waiting for is almost here!  It's the night before I leave for Paris, and I can't believe tomorrow I'll be boarding the plane for the city I've been dreaming about since I was a little girl.  A few anecdotes of my earlier interactions with French culture come to mind.  First is Madame Burnett, my French teacher in elementary school.  She wore two different earrings, and I once asked her why, and she said it was because those were two favorites.  Love that French joie de vivre.  Second, for eighth grade French class, we got five points for making a French dish.  Naturally, being the overachiever that I was, I absolutely HAD to make Julia Child's chocolate mousse.  I nearly cried, but it was delicious.  OK, so back to my pre-departure self.  Two duffels filled to the brim, hoping I will be able to tip the guy out of charging me for the enormity of my luggage, I'm all packed.  Packing was a bit of a struggle, to be sure, due to the fact that I have unrealistic expectations about my packing abilities, both in the physical act of packing clothes (luckily, my mother and sister came to my aid) and in bringing the proper amount of stuff (how can I not bring a million shoes to Paris?!).  I have gotten so many wonderful suggestions of places to go and things to see from everyone (special thanks go to Bizbie and Grandpop for all their suggestions).  I have an array of French dictionaries, Euros, my passport, enough black sweaters to clothe a small nation, and so much excitement, nervousness, and sincere appreciation for the wonderful journey I'm about to embark on. Here I go... see you in Paris! xoxox

Bienvenue à La Parisienne!

Welcome friends and family to my travel blog!  I am so excited to share my upcoming semester in Paris and travels around Europe with you.  Talk to you soon!