Show Me Some Europe!

Since August when I arrived in Paris, I have had the mindset that I really wanted to do as much traveling as my time and bank account could manage. Now that I am down to the countdown of two weeks until leaving Paris, I am fortunate enough to say that I was able to see so much of Europe, not everything, but a great glimpse into various cultures that make Europe the amazing place it is. Though each time I take a flight or train out of Paris, I always return with a great feeling of coming home. Towards the end of my two semesters here I began to travel less and less (more day trips instead of long 4-5 day trips) because I have really settled into my life here in Paris and well, I have to admit, I prefer to stay in Paris most weeks, as well as giving myself the opportunity to really live my last few months truly IN Paris...I really thought that was important and it served me well. Below is a list of places I have traveled to. If you are ever going to one of them, feel free to ask me about it. =)

Paris, France (Obviously)
Épernay, (Champagne Region) France
Toulouse, France (South of France near Spain)
Carcassonne, France (South of France near Spain)
Chartres, France (Famous Chartres Cathedral and Medieval Stained Glass)
Reims, France (Champagne Region)
Rouen, France (Joan of Arc's execution site, burnt alive as a witch)
Giverny, France (Monet's House & Gardens)
Caen, France (Beaches of Normandy: D-Day Landing)
St. Malo, France (Brittany Region: Famous fishing medieval walled town)
Dinan, France (Brittany Region)
Mont Saint Michel (Brittany Region), France
St. Denis Cathedral (North of Paris), France
Dublin, Ireland
Venice, Italy
Florence, Italy
Pisa, Italy
Rome, Italy
Bruges, Belgium
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hamburg, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Neurenburg, Germany
Füssen, Germany (Neuschwanstein Castle)
Salzburg, Austria
Munich, Germany
London, England
& Transfering flights in Iceland! Hopefully that volcano stops! haha


What a journey it has been...The memories are countless, the adventures, the ridiculousness at times, and everything else under the sun. My time abroad will have forever changed me for the better and shaped me into a new person.

But I must give a lot of credit and a big thank you to my Parents, for without their love, support, and help, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for always encouraging me to challenge myself and shoot for the stars. I Love you.

Bisous.

Aussitôt que j'ai vu la France, je l'ai admirée, je l'ai aimée. 

(As soon as I saw France, I admired it, I loved it)

Printemps à Paris

The City is blossoming. Finally green again. The sun has come to say hello. Officially my fourth season in Paris...The year is complete.

Viaduct park above my flat

::::::::::::::::::::Paris, Je t'aime::::::::::::::::::::

Stereotypes

The topic of this blog will hopefully be an amusing one. Before coming to France, there were many stereotypes I had in my mind, as well as in the minds of others around me who knew I was leaving for France. I will attempt to list a few that come to mind, and reflect on whether there is any truth to them =)

Let's get straight tot he point: "The French are rude". This one is totally a subjective one, quite hard to tackle in a yes or no answer. To also narrow this down even further, we have to dispel the idea that that 'The French' as a whole are rude. The stereotype should read, "Parisians are rude". Each time I leave the city to the French country side I encounter nothing but nice and friendly people. Paris however you have to keep in mind that it is a massive city and with that comes a city mindset, like that of New York or LA. After a year abroad living in Paris, I have really never met a nicer city of 12 million people. Paris is full of helpful, kind, generous, and frankly friendly people. This stereotype my friends is false! You also have to take into consideration what your perception of nice is: Are you the type of person where you need to be smiled at all the time? Said hello to by passersby, have small chats with complete strangers? Paid attention to and have your ass kissed at retail stores and restaurants? Well then, Paris and most of Europe is not for you. This I want to shine some light on is a MAJOR cultural difference between Americans and France that for many suburban, small town, overly friendly Americans don't stop to realize or even educate themselves about. The French, especially the Parisians are a very private people, a culture where all of the above that is common in America would be utterly bizarre and frankly rude here. Despite you being a stranger, someone on the metro will gladly help you find your way, help carry a piece of luggage up the stairs for you, help you up if you have fallen or drop something.In Paris, this is what we call being polite.

Here in Paris, we notice the little things in the kindness people show when it is truly genuine. Overly kind life at home really makes it meaningless. I enjoy the mindset here where if you need help, you will ask for it or you wont get it. I have grown extremely fond of the Parisian lifestyle and mindset: cold outer demeanor, but warm and kind on the inside. To crack this outer shell is really just the life of living in a major metropolitan city. There are roughly 12 million people in Paris (not including tourists), there are all varieties of people, there are bound to be some bad apples who are inherently rude or filled with bad energy. Come to Paris with an open mind and know that you are not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. 

(PandorasInspiration.blogspot.com)

Second Stereotype: French people don't like speaking English with you. Here's the run down. Learn a few words and key phrases before setting foot on that plane and they will be glad to speak English with you, actually prefer it since mostly everyone here speaks English, some not well, but certainly far better than your French is. Please make a serious attempt to learn: Bonjour Madame/Monsieur, Merci, au revoir, s'il vous plait, excusez-moi M/Mm, Parlez-vous anglais? These will do you wonders and automatically gain you much more respect with those you happen to speak with. There is nothing more pathetic (actually quite funny for me to watch) than the dumb helpless American in the street saying "Does anyone speak English? Does anyone speak English?"...Well, perhaps the annoying Gypsies who say the same thing and try to pick pocket you as you stupidly respond and go over to them. HAHA.

Thirdly: French people smell. Okay, this one is such a funny one because...(I'm sorry to any of my French friends reading this haha) but yes this stereotype is quite true. Not 100% for all the people, but god damn, for a lot of them for sure! Deodorant (good kinds) are nearly impossible to find and if you do, they are terrible and last about an hour. French people in the masses smell like awful B.O. and well, it can hit you like a brick wall, especially on the métro. Granted, most of them are smelly North Africans or the banlieu immigrants, but come on people!!! It really gets terrible in the summer time. Really, really awful. I remember sitting in class at ESSEC and the entire classroom reeked like a dirty boys locker room and it was barely 11am....this, everyone, is not a stereotype. TRUE! Though for those who do smell great (all of my French buddies xoxo) embrace the wonderful idea of showering and wearing wonderfully scented perfumes. Merci

(PandorasInspiration.blogspot.com)

Last stereotype: French people are the best dressed people in the world. Do I even have to write more than a sentence about this?? TRUE TRUE TRUE, indisputable. Don't even try to argue this. The end.

Bisous.

Unlike any other city...

Saying Paris is unlike any other city is really quite the understatement. For someone to ask me: tell me about something you can do in Paris that you would never be able to do in San Diego...is really such a ludicrous question for me. It may sound fairly easy to answer, though I hear this question and my mind begins to buzz, so much so that I am lost for words. I could tell you the most obvious aspects of Paris such as the Louvre, seeing the Tour Eiffel, going to mass at the 2,000 year old Notre Dame, etc...

Though aside from all these grand monuments, one can go deeper and see the wonderful boulangeries, salons du thé, wine boutiques, butchers, open air markets, even riding the métro...But for me. Paris is more of a feeling, a feeling that brings me alive, something that San Diego was never able to do for me. Paris holds for me not just the monuments and delights that litter tourist books, but the French themselves, their beautiful language, their joie de vivre, their sense of style ad effortless sophistication. So much of what I really love about my life in Paris really comes down to my love for the French, their culture, their lifestyle, even down to their little quirks and moodiness. Life surrounded by the French could never be possible in San Diego. Yes, a few friends I might be lucky to meet, amazing francophone professors and acquaintances, but never in the way I do now here in their...well, natural habitat =)

Paris has given me what I have always longed for from day one of French 100A class back in Freshman year of University: to one day speak French and find French friends that could really connect with me, not just as "the American student", but as their fellow Parisian. I have come so far since Freshman year of college; my year abroad in Europe has really made the biggest impact on my life and who I am today thus far. Thank you Paris, I think I turned out alright! ;)

The quote is true, "Paris is a movable feast" and I truly am a young man, lucky enough to have it forever a part of my life. Today's blog topic is really something I cannot put on paper in one entry. Since arriving in August, each entry is something I could never do or experience in San Diego. Ahhhhh, I can't even stress enough how unique and amazing Paris is! I honestly lose my words! Something that renders me speechless is truly beautiful! As we all know, I am never short on words hahahaha!

Paris is a world I hope all of you will experience in your life for it is a place that you will never forget.

Just a fun little list that I came up with with things that you could never do in San Diego (or have a HARD time finding):
-Champagne tasting in the place it came from
-Hear French around you all the time
-Eat a warm crispy baguette
-Have the #1 Fashion Weeks in the world right down the street from your home
-See paparazzi almost daily on the streets
-Have a late night crêpe after a bar: Œuf, jambon, et fromage s'il vous plaît!
-Spend an evening in an absinthe bar
-Have cider in a French village where it is made
-Dress with great style each day, even just to go check the mail
-Take a flight for less than 10€
-Take a train that goes 250m/h
-Never have to drive
-Pic-nic at Marie-Antoinette's Village
-Club and dance until 8am
-Hear the best DJs in the world
      --!! French Electronica is my LIFE
-Sit at on café's terrace for 3-4 hours people watching with your espresso and cigarette
-See a protest AT LEAST once a week, sometimes more
-Sit on ancient stone steps having a drink with friends
-See a girl with a neck brace in crutches, STILL wearing her stilettos  (my favorite!!! haha!)
-Window shop everywhere (America is too much of a Mall culture, sad!)
-Coat check at ALL clubs, bars, and restaurants. Amazing!!
-Almost every man and boy age 12+ being fashionable and it being the norm.
-Clothes always smelling like smoke when you get home and it not bothering you haha
-3 hour dinners with four courses being the norm
-French men's suit tailoring...I DIE! So amazing.
-High heels for women and dress shoes for men (with a small heel, always!) being their everyday wear shoes.
-Sparkling water everywhere.
-Wine being cheap and served at any time of the day....

These are just a few of mannnnny things I wrote down about France in general. Things that I really notice and appreciate. France is my home now and I never want to leave. The day I fly home will be a happy moment too see all my friends and family that I have missed so much. But my heart will always long for Paris and the people I have met here in a way that no other place can compare. I will soon return to Paris, I know it from the bottom of my heart.

Hello From London!

Just a quick update for everyone. Currently I am in London for the weekend. Took the amazing EuroStar train system which only takes 2h15 from Paris to London, direct to City Center. Amazing.

Been here since yesterday evening and already I can tell you London is WAYYY different from Paris...*cough*I prefer Paris*cough*...

Had amazing Fish & Chips today with a pint of Ale, which was oh soooo delicious.
I have pretty much hit a good majority of all the hot spots, the only major ones I have left to see are the London Tower and The British Museum. First off, the London metro which they call the Underground is really confusing. Everyone told me otherwise, but I dunno,I am always having to take a good hard look at the map when I take it. Oh well, new system, new city, right?

Went to the AMAZING store called TopMan which is only in London and Barcelona as far as I'm sure. Recommened by my dear friend and personal syle guru, Kristin, I HAD find it, and I did...as well as spent a good hour browsing to find a couple pair of skinny jeans and these awesome high top shoes. Oh! And a cool ring. All under 60£...someone just sent me to heaven.
OH! On that note. Whoever told you London is expensive is on crack. Or just hasn't been to Paris. I'm loving the prices here! No joke. I mean, the only really pricey things are a few of the touristy things, like Madame Touseau's Wax Museum, 25£!!! FUCK THAT. No thanks, saw the same thing in California. hahaha. Westminster Abbey is 15£, just to go inside the church..NO WAY! But I will be paying for the London Tower, oh yes. But food, drinks, and touristy gifts are really inexpensive. I had fish & chips with 2 pints and it was only 11£...Paris, that would be hmmmm let me guess, like around 20-25€. Post cards here, about .30-.45£, Paris: .70-1.50€, robbery! lol. Btw, there is only a .90 to 1 ratio to the euro vs. pound, so it isnt really affecting me.

The only REALLY weird thing for me here though is HEARING ENGLISH! My mind really has crossed over to always buzzing in French and still today, I say Pardon, s'il vous plait, merci, all that stuff! It kind of makes me happy though =) French is really a part of me now.

Alrigty, well I am off to dinner. Someone at the ACCENT center recommended getting Chinese or Indian food in London because it is superb she said.

p.s. I'm wearing my new outfit, I just couldn't resist.

Cheers everyone!