Chatelet

Today I'm taking the metro to my Gothic cathedrals class. I have to transfer to a different line at Chatelet, a giant, touristy station known for pickpockets and scam artists...so I'm on my guard, clutching my bag to my chest tightly, as I walk briskly across the station to the 4 line. Suddenly I hear music, loud, brilliant music at the other end of the cavernous walkway. No, this isn't just one violin, or one random kareoke singer, this is an entire group of musicians, complete with singers, guartarists, drummers, trumpeteers, and more, all lined up against the wall. They're playing what I think is Spanish mariachi music and it is absolutely unbelievable - I'm  so taken aback by the depth to their music, and the way it fills the station with life and energy.  Heads turn left and right to catch a glimpse of this impressive troupe - People zip past them, and some even stop to watch for a second. My mood, dampened by the dreary rain outside, is instantly lifted by the ludicrousy of the situation - a 7 man spanish mariachi band playing in a dingy Parisian metro station! I love it! I drop a 1 Euro coin into the cup next to them on the ground and hear a "Merci!" - the first time I've ever given out money like that to anyone in Paris.

Marche des Enfants Rouges

It's Sunday morning and I need food. Good food. I've been hearing about markets around Paris and decide it's time to explore. I find one in the Marais that sounds incredible - Marche des Enfants Rouges. It's a covered market, complete with vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, breads, pastries, you name it. Instantly, I'm enthralled by the extensive selection of exotic mushrooms - I've never seen so many different kinds. I grab a plastic bag and take one of every kind. Then I spot sweet potatoes - they're huge! I grab a couple of those too. I see bananas from Martinique, too. That sounds exotic and cool, I think! I don't even know where Martinique is. I tell myself I better pay for my produce before I buy the entire market.

On the way out I pass a Fromagerie and can't help but go inside. The cheeses are divided by what kind of milk they use, whether it's goat, cow or something else. I have no idea what anything means, so I pick up two random ones. I ask the fromageuse, "est-ce que ce fromage est bon avec le vin rouge?" She looks confused, obviously I have butchered the French language. I try again, asking, "Quel fromage est son favori?" She points to the one in my right hand, so I go with that. Good enough. 

My food venture ends at a boulangerie, where I buy a cookie with three different kinds of chocolate chips. I've noticed that chocolate chip cookies over here have more of a biscuit-y, buttery taste than ones back home do. But no matter, a chocolate chip cookie will always be one of the greatest gastronomic indulgences ever. 

Le Sommeil au Cinema

Tonight I have my first experience at a French movie theater. My roommate and I saw the movie "The Informant" with Matt Damon. 

It's in English with French subtitles. I notice that many of the things p

eople say in the movie don't translate so well into French. It's funny how so many things can be lost in translation. Unfortunately, I have trouble staying awake during the movie, in fact I have no idea what happened. I don't even know if it was a good movie or not. I think Matt Damon played his part well, but if you asked me what it was about, I'm not sure I could answer. Apparently he gained 30 pounds for the role...

 

Movies in Paris tend to have later showing times anyway, so it's nearly 12:30 AM by the time it's over. So I'm really freaking tired. But I also blame it on the movie theater itself - the seats were super comfy and reclined a bit when you sat in them. And since air conditioning is essentially non-existent in France, the stuffy, semi-warm air in the theater put me right to sleep. Not ideal for someone as sleep deprived as I am right now...next time I'll drink espresso before I go!