Sardinia

This past week I spent 5 days in Alghero, Italy on the island of Sardinia. I went with Becca, Melissa, and Amber because all of us have holiday (schools here have a TWO week winter break right now!!). Alghero is on the northwest side of the island on the coast. We stayed in an apartment right near old town, where the streets are narrow and winding, and around the corner from the port where all of the sailboats are. It was a very charming city, but quiet this time of year since the tourists come mostly in late summer.We explored the city, rode bikes along the north coast to Fertilia, took a bus to Porto Conte, saw the Nuraghe ruins which date back to 1200 B.C., laid on the beach... and ate gelato everyday! A much needed, relaxing trip.

Alghero Old Town

Porto Conte

Alghero Old Town, Cupola di San Michele

Alghero

Fertilia

Alghero Old Town

Alghero

Tribeca and Curio Parlor

This past weekend Noël Paasch came from London to visit Paris. Andrew and I went out with her and her friend Susan on Friday night. It was great to meet Susan and see Noël all while enjoying some of the best Paris has to offer!

Tribeca

36 rue Cler, 7th arrondissement

Métro École Militaire

First we stopped for dinner on Paris' well-known rue Cler to have dinner at Tribeca. I have been here once before; excellent food, reasonable prices, lively atmosphere, and good service. I had the Tribeca burger (naturally). Anyone coming to Paris should visit rue Cler because it has great markets during the day and a cluster of some really great restaurants and cafés that are quintessentially French.

Curio Parlor

16 rue des Bernardins, 5th arrondissement

Métro Maubert-Mutualité

We went to get drinks later at a chic cocktail bar called Curio Parlor. Susan's friend had told us to meet them there and we were lucky to stumble upon this little hidden gem. These taxidermists decorated the bar with antique wallpaper and beautiful (if you can get over the weirdness of it) stuffed animals and big velvet chairs. I had a great drink with gin, lemon juice, and cucumber. It is a bit pricey, with drinks in the 10-12 euro range, but the small, clandestine feel makes it a perfect place for two to have a drink and great conversation.

Find them on Facebook or here.

**apparently this bar is owned by the same person as the Experimental Cocktail Club in the 2nd arrondissement, which also has delicious cocktails!

Spectacles

This past week I went to two concerts: The XX at La Cigale in the 18th arrondissement and Beach House at La Maroquinerie in the 20th arrondissement. Both times we had to scalp tickets at the door since both shows were sold out... we were lucky to get in!

The XX: They played a long set, the lineup almost matching the order of their new CD exactly. I was a little disappointed that the pace was too slow in the beginning for some of my favorite songs like "Crystalised," but they made up for it by the end of the show when they seemed much more warmed up. They wrapped up a great set with "Night Time" and "Stars" in the encore. La Cigale is a great venue -- the theatre is very old and charming and not too big. It was a great place to see a show.

Beach House: La Maroquinerie is a much smaller, kind of dingier venue but so much more personal. Victoria Legrand was born in France and speaks French, so her talking to the crowd in between songs and the size of the venue made it a very unique show. Her voice is so deep and rich and sounds even better live. My favorite song of the night was probably "Heart of Chambers."

Café Charbon, 109 rue Oberkampf

dkimages.com

Last night Emily, Kara and I went to dinner at Café Charbon in the 11th arrondissement. I had heard good reviews, but it exceeded my expectations! The waiters were all really nice and the crowd was young and French. I had a great fish curry meal and Kara and Em had ravioli (mmm!). Becca met up with us there afterwards for Sangria... un bon choix!

I would definitely recommend it and hope to go back again, but the best part of it all was sharing laughs and memories with some great friends. Company really does make all the difference <3

CARNAVAL!

Today was Carnaval!!! (or Mardi Gras to us Americans). All of the students at my school dressed up in costume like we would in America for Halloween. It was so funny to see them in costume because they really played the part of who they were trying to be. I saw groups of cowboys and Indians, Star Wars characters, cheerleaders, hippies, all kinds of animals, cross-dressers, etc. It reminded me a lot of high school the way I experienced it… fun events, crazy dress up days, and school spirit. A nice contrast to seeing the ever so serious French student everyday.

I dressed up as Fantastic Mr. Fox (I know, my costume is weak but remember that I live in France and my wardrobe consists of only black and gray!!!). These girls dressed up as Barbies and asked me to take a picture with them. It was only natural that next we all sang the “I’m a Barbie girl" song... while they filmed me! Watch out world -- I will soon be the next biggest YouTube star! (behind Glowpinkstah obviously).

Bon Weekend

Despite below freezing temperatures for the past week, Paris has been good to me. Here are some of the places I visited or things I did this past weekend.

Shakespeare & Co.

This is a “used” bookstore near the Notre Dame on the Rive Gauche. It is a small, charming, and busy (!) place on the weekends. Andrew and I were looking for books, so we decided to see if we could get any for cheap on Saturday. Unfortunately, many of the books were new and not very inexpensive… perhaps traditionally unique, hidden spots like these have adapted to their new popularity among tourists. However, It was worth going and I ended up buying a copy of A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. I am already halfway through it and am really enjoying reading about and relating to his experiences in Paris.

Marchés des Puces

Saturday afternoon we braved the snowy cold weather and met up with Andrew’s friends from school at some flea markets (marchés des Puces) in the east of Paris near Métro Porte de Montreuil. When you first get there, you have to walk past many vendors with (we guess stolen) random items laid out on blankets. Watch out for pickpockets… I am always aware of my purse, but a woman had the nerve to run right into me and attempt to unzip my purse AS I WATCHED HER! I yelled at her “Excusez-moi!!!” and was shocked that she yelled right back. Vicious. It’s funny to me now but I could easily be without my phone and wallet if I hadn’t been paying attention.

The market was still really cool. There were tents of vintage clothes, boots, coats, and some furniture, all for pretty reasonable prices. I bought a huge brown Lacoste sweater for 12 Euros and Andrew got a plaid flannel.

Also, a few weeks ago Andrew and I met Angie and Blake Thompson at les marchés des puces in the north of Paris near Métro Porte de Clignancourt. There are many more shops and vendors selling things than the market in the east, but items tend to be one of two extremes: cheap new clothes/ shoes/ misc. items or expensive vintage clothes and antique furniture and art. Still definitely worth visiting.

Feyrouz

In the 15^th arrondissement, a 5 minute walk from my apartment. BEST Lebanese sandwiches I have ever had for 5 Euros! Thank you Abass and Haifa.

Les Deux Théatres

Andrew was recommended a café/restaurant in the 9^th arrondissement by a friend at school, so we had a Valentine’s date Saturday night. We had great food in a lively, French, charming atmosphere. I love how the French eat: first, an apéritif; entrée (starter) and wine; plat (main course); dessert; and finally a petit café. We had raspberry champagne, potato cakes with foie gras, a Bordeaux wine, duck, shrimp, crème brulée, ice cream, and finally un café. Our meal was the perfect amount of food, brought out one plate at a time, and lasted 3 hours. This is how everyone should eat -- actually enjoying the food and company.

D Favela Chic

This club is in the 11^th arrondissement near Métro République. It was a lot of fun if you overlook the fact that it was too crowded and the coat check line was about 30 min long (we skipped it and took a risk by setting our coats down somewhere else). You get a free drink with the cover charged at the door, so it was a good deal too. The music was loud, everyone was dancing, but like I said, we could barely move… maybe we will have to go back on a less busy night.

Faire une promenade sur la Seine

Sunday after church Andrew and I walked along the Seine River. He wanted to see the vendors and their green cabinets of things for sale. It was so sunny and beautiful! There were many people out because on Sundays there are not many shops open, so people will take walks and stop at cafés instead. We stopped by the Hotel de Ville to watch the Chinese New Year celebrations for a little and crossed the Ile St. Louis and Ile de la Cité before we headed home.

[C’était vraiment un bon weekend]

done.

I just got back to Paris on Monday after a short visit home to take the LSAT. The past month I have been pretty distracted by everything I needed to do for law school, so it feels good to have that and my law school applications done! Now I just need to be patient and wait. I am praying for humility and understanding for whatever the outcome is because I know that God knows what is best for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

It feels good to be back in Paris... even if it is snowing every day!

funny people