My first visitor

My friend Paulina got in from the airport at 7:30 pm on Wednesday night. I had prepared for her visit by proactively doing my homework and studying, making my bed, cleaning up the mound of clothes next to it, and finally addressing my sink full of dirty dishes. It’s probably a good thing she was coming because I needed a little push to do some housekeeping. Naturally, the day after I got around to it, the residence collected everyone’s sheets for washing so I had to do it again but that’s beside the point

For anyone who hasn’t been to CDG, it’s HUGE. Thankfully, getting there is pretty easy, just a straight shot down the RER B line, but once I was inside the terminal I found myself walking in circles. I checked my phone to make sure I wasn’t going to be late meeting her and found that it had died. Several elevator rides and loops around Terminal 1 later, I noticed the board for the flights arriveés, and saw that the connecting flight she was on from Norway had just landed. Success!I waited anxiously outside the gate alongside moms, dads, friends, and people carrying signs with strange names (There were lots of international flights landing). She ran out and gave me a big hug, and then it began: “Oh is this your sister? No? Cousin?” ….we are not related, but our friends at Kirkwood took to calling us “the twins.” 

She was pretty exhausted from her flight, so we headed back to my apartment; I helped her with her suitcase up and down the stairs and only had a few PTSD flashbacks of my own struggle through the Paris metro system. We dumped her suitcases rather unceremoniously in my room then went back out to grab a late dinner. I introduced her to the beauty of “le menu,” a cheap option at many take-away places that gets you a panini, a crepe, and a drink for usually 5 euros or less. It’s safe to say that by the time she went home I had created another nutella-banana crepe addict.

The next day, I still had class, and a midterm no less, so we turned in for the night early. I let her sleep in and snuck out of my apartment early the next morning. I ran into my friend Shoshana while I was putting on my shoes in the hallway and we walked to school together, doing some last-minute reviewing about The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and Troilus and Cressida. What better way to start the morning? Thankfully, when the time came, I felt very prepared and even finished with time to spare.

While I was in classes, Paulina was doing some reading/studying of her own, so when I got back we were both ready to get out and enjoy the day! I showed her around my neighborhood a bit first; we walked to the Place de la République and took the metro from there to the area where school is. I showed her the Jardin du Luxembourg, Musée de Cluny, the Panthéon, the Sorbonne, and Notre Dame. It sounds like a lot, but that area is jam-packed with lots of sights with little distance in between, so it was a perfect place to start our sightseeing. 

Our next stop was my favorite bakery. I got a big piece of spinach artichoke quiche and helped Paulina give her order in French. We both got eclairs as a treat for later, chocolate for her and coffee for me! Thursday night we went to dinner with Annie at one of our favorite places. It’s called Chez Justine and it’s our next-door neighbor at the residence hall. They have a great happy hour, and we’ve made it our mission to become known as “regulars” there. It has a really cool atmosphere with those quintessential parisian tile floors, glass chandeliers, an old piano, and plenty of cozy seating. Plus, they play awesome music!

Afterwards, we had planned to walk along the Seine, but we had been hearing that rain was in the forecast so we decided to stay closer to home, and good thing we did. We made it a few blocks down Rue Oberkampf before it started, and then we ducked into the first place we saw with reasonable prices and open seats. We got really lucky; it ended up being a cute bar/coffeeshop with live music. There were three guys… one on piano, one on guitar, and one on saxaphone, and then a girl maybe a few years older than us singing. They were doing covers of Beatles songs, and doing them pretty well in my opinion! After a couple songs, the girl went and sat down with a group of people next to us and ordered a drink. We were very confused until we asked and she explained that she doesn’t usually sing here but it’s her birthday and one of her friends had mentioned to the musicians that she sang, so she joined them for an impromptu performance. Then, everyone in the place stood up and sang happy birthday to her…or rather, joyeaux aniversaire. That’s one of the things I love about Paris. You never know where the night will take you or who you will meet!

Friday, we went shopping in Le Marais with Annie, Jaci, and Bojana (not sure if I’ve mentioned her, but she’s from Chicago and is going with us to Vienna this weekend!) Le Marais is a neighborhood in between my apartment and school with tons of little boutiques and galleries. We ate lunch at this taco place that was nothing special from the outside but had probably the best guacamole I’ve had in my life. They also had the Mexican soda brand Jaliscos which made me think of Global Foods back home :) If you’re ever in Paris…check out Candelaria! The owner was a friendly woman who spoke fluent English, French, and Spanish. Pretty impressive.

Friday night we made chicken pesto pasta at home for dinner then headed to Montmartre, my personal favorite! I thought Paulina might punch me when we got off the metro and started walking up the giant hill, only to come to the mountain of steps leading the rest of the way up. But I assured her it was well-worth it, and it was. We ended up at a bar with my friends Nathalia and Pei, they’re from Costa Rica and Singapore, respectively, and wouldn’t you know we were right in the middle of another birthday party! When some of the guest heard us speaking English, they wanted to know all about where we were from, why we were here, and how we were liking Paris so far. They insisted on introducing us to the birthday guest of honor, and suddenly it was like we were guests too. The night was a mix of English, French, and even a little Swedish on Paulina’s part when she met a girl who’s mother was from there. The highlight of my night: being told by a French girl that I spoke French very well AND that she liked my American accent. I would prefer no accent, but hey, I’ll get there.

Saturday we went to the Champs Élysées/Arc de Triomphe. We window shopped at Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc. Neither of us had a strong desire to go in; I don’t really see the appeal in shelling out that much money for a bag with a tiny name on it, and to be honest the saleswomen in all black intimidate me. We did, however, make a stop in Ladurée for some macaroons. Now this is just my opinion, and I don’t want to offend anyone, but I don’t think Ladurée is the place for the best macaroon in Paris. I doubt I’ve found the best yet, but I do think I’ve found places I like better, and for much better prices! But Ladurée is definitely the place to go for photo-ops and lots of fancy flavors. I tried a gingerbread one and a lavender-blackcurrant one. I knew I would love the gingerbread, but I was pleasantly surprised by the other one, too!Sunday, we rounded out our whirlwind tourist weekend with a few more landmarks. We didn’t go into the Louvre but walked around outside and peeked in because we were a little short on time, and it’s pretty overwhelming to even try to cram it into a few hours. We walked along the river for a bit and I pointed out the buildings I knew. I was surprised to realize how much I’ve gotten to know the city so far! We of course had to stop at the lock bridge where people inevitably tried to sell us our own locks to add. When I said no thank you, the man who had offered gave an exaggerated gasp and said, “Vraiment!? Pas d’amour???” I gave him a deadpan look. No, monsieur. Pas pour moi.

Our last night was spent at the Eiffel Tower with a baguette, a hunk of cheese, some chocolate, and a bottle of wine. (Don’t worry, mom and dad, I promise my homework was already done!) We got there right as it sparkled at 9 pm. One of the best views of tower is right at the metro stop called Trocadéro. We took a few pictures there, and I taught Paulina how to ask/offer picture taking, then made our way down to the base. We passed underneath it then went to the other side, near the École Militaire, and sat to enjoy our picnic. There were tons of people around us, and two people, a girl and a guy, were performing. He played guitar while she sang a variety of Janis Joplin, Carole King, and whats going on? They really seem to like the American classics here…I’m not complaining! After it sparkled again at 10, we said one last goodbye, and went back home. 

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Of course she found the Finnish Cultural Center

Candelaria...yum.

The Louvre

If you can't read it, his sign says "Street Kitchen Orchestra." He was very talented!

Arc de Triomphe

Plus Annie looking very California in her sunglasses

View from Trocadéro

Walking in the Jardins de Tuileries behind the Louvre

Our last night!

It was so much fun getting to show Paulina the places I’ve found and watch her reactions to seeing Paris for the first time. It feels like just yesterday that I got here, but I’m already taking things for granted that seemed so crazy to me at first. Walking by Notre Dame on the way to school, what’s so weird about that?? The weekend reminded me how lucky I am to be here and also showed me just how much I’ve adjusted in less than two months. Currently taking applications for my next visitor :) 

Au revoir!