Vaca in Paris

I’ve been so bad about blogging and am overwhelmed with everything I need to say right now.

Today I had lunch with Nico, which was nice because I haven’t seen him for a week or so. He gave me good advice about going to university here and the pros and cons of public and private schools. Public means cheap but in French and private means expensive but in English, so it is a dilemma, and I am stressing about it.

After I was in the La Défense area, so I walked to the Grande Arche in search of SKEMA because I knew the campus was nearby. SKEMA is a French business school that I may apply to. I found it and went by to talk to someone to get info on the application process. I went to the front desk, and the lady didn’t speak English, so I explained why I was there. She gave a phone to me to talk to someone who couldn’t speak English all that well. He got my name and number and said he would call me back today with the info I want, but it is 8pm now, and he never called? So I tried to make a step towards figuring out my life today, but it didn’t work out so well.

Then I decided to take a tram somewhere. I have not taken a tram in Paris yet, and I have wanted to because they are above ground, so you can see the city. I took a tram from La Défense to the southern part of the city following the Seine, and I saw great views of the city and Eiffel Tower along the way! I then took the RER C and decided to pop by the Eiffel Tower because I haven’t been there in a while, and I wanted to get the rates to go up, but it wasn’t displayed, so I then headed home.

So today I was by myself mainly, but I kept myself occupied, and I had a good day. It was chilly, but very beautiful weather—sunny and blue skies. Very nice.

Yesterday was a shit day. One the rainy weather (weather.com said 0% chance), and I didn’t do a whole lot. I met up with Paige at the end of Line 4 to find a supposed flea market, which I knew would be sketchy because I am pretty sure I have been there before last summer, and it was completely weird and sketchy. She had been wandering with a friend in search of it, and the gave up and found me when I arrived. I am glad it didn’t work out because I am pretty sure I am right because the area was sketchy too.

Then me and Paige went to the north-western outskirts of Paris in search of the pet cemetery. After a lot of wandering in the rain, we found it, but it was closed on Mondays—lovely! But I am going tomorrow, so all is not lost. Then we went to a large library Paige wanted to go to, and found out it doesn’t let you rent books, just read them inside. What??? After we each headed home. It was a rainy, dumb day in general.

Once at Jérome’s, Vincent and I watched the latest Twilight in preparation for the Twilight that’s coming out soon. The other night I saw James Bond with the boys, and I asked if Vincent wanted to go see Twilight with me sometime because I always go to their movies, so it’s my turn to choose, and he likes some girly movies. He actually agreed! I thought he would def say no, but I was wrong, so we watched the previous Twilight for this reason. Jérome said he would come too amazingly enough. I like French boys sometimes J

The previous day, Sunday, Jérome and I went to my host fam’s house for him to meet them. It went really well! I was nervous about the French/English talking and how that would pan out, but it went well. Half-way through, the American mom I talk about  a lot came so the girls could have a play date, and she stayed and talked to us, so English was used more often. It was good times! Jerome liked my fam, and I am positive they liked him as well. The dad made good food as always (I have missed it!). First we had a salad with a bakes pastry with cheese baked inside, then a creamy soup made up of leaks, carrots, milk, stuff like that, then gratin dauphinois (potatoes au gratin), and rabbit. Yum! And he made a lemon meringue for dessert, which I have never had before, but it was great.

It was nice showing Jérome my house, my family, and life in general. I am glad he can now picture my life better now and know what I am talking about now. We left after about four hours or so and took the train back to Paris, which was so full! We had to stand the whole time, but ended sitting on the floor. Later that night, we saw James Bond, which wasn’t that great. I slept a few times mainly because I was just comfy and warm ha ha.

Saturday was a big day as well. I hung out with Paige all day, and we started at the Musée d’Orsay. She didn’t bring her phone with her (I could tell because I texted her multiple times and she never responded), so I was nervous about finding her, but I miraculously found her in line! We did the museum in a few hours, and I was so tired by the end of it. Paige was too, which says a lot because she is a museum person. I am glad I went though because I went last summer, but only saw the special exhibit, and not the actual museum. So now I have!

Then we headed to the Salon du chocolate!! A chocolate festival. I had seen ads for it all over the city, and decided to ask if Paige wanted to go, and she agreed. It was 13 euros, but a well spent 13 euros because it was great. There were hundreds of vendors all with free samples! We spent most of the time fighting through crowds tasting all sorts of good stuff! Chocolate, chocolate liquor, chocolate wine, one chocolate had cannabis in it, macaroons, all sorts of stuff. There was a chocolate fashion show too! All the models wore clothes made from chocolate. There were also chocolate sculptures; it was all so great.

While waiting for the fashion show to start, Paige went to the bathroom, so I guarded her seat. Five minutes later this old guy behind me asked if I would give up the extra seat for who I am assuming was his wife. I said my friend was in the bathroom, and then he got all pissy with me. This was all in French, so I was limited with what I could respond with, but I just kept saying my friend is in the bathroom and 5 minutes. At one point the lady he was trying to get a seat for was literally trying to get past a girl to the extra seat, and I was like NO NO NO covering my hands over the sit. The both of them were all so rude and yelling at me, and all I could do was physically guard the seat and say no. People were looking at me, and it was all stressful and embarrassing. But then I had to wait like 30 minutes for Paige to come back. She didn’t have her phone, so I couldn’t text her.

I was on edge the whole time just waiting for the douchebag to yell at me again. Then all the sudden, he violently shakes my shoulders and yells at me again. I just ignored him and didn’t say a word. He wasn’t worth my time, and I didn’t know what else to say in French. But I knew the lady didn’t have the balls (or stamina) to get to my extra seat, so I was like this is all empty threats biotch. Paige came at the right time finally, and the lady would not physically let her get to her seat! The bitch!!! Ahh. Then these 3 girls in front of me sympathized and let Paige climb over them to get to her seat. I was so happy to see her. I told her the whole story, and then she confronted the douchebag man saying he shouldn’t have touched me, and he completely DENIED it. God what an asshole. Whatever. The fashion show was good, and I really don’t think old people would have enjoyed it anyway (they played hit music and all), so here’s to that doucher for wasting his time.

Aside from that, the chocolate festival was great, and I am so glad I went! It only lasted a few days, so I am glad I took advantage of it.