Paris, La Belle

Afin de refléter pour la dernière fois...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:41:38 -0400

I still think about it all the time. Paris, that is. I was so blessed and privileged to be able to go during my first year. My very first year! That’s still crazy to me. Traveling abroad really does change your perspective on things - for the better. I think as students, people who long for education and to better ourselves and society, it is incredibly important that we travel and experience life outside our country. To be unaware of our surroundings, I believe, gives way to indifference and ignorance which is what should be feared the most. To think that what does not affect us directly holds little importance is very dangerous towards the good of our world and the preservation of peace. Studying abroad during these crucial college years where we learn the most, I think, will develop character and only better us as human beings and life-long learners. I honestly could not recommend traveling abroad more at this point. I plan to head abroad again and again and again during the next four years.

So I leave you with this….it has officially been a couple weeks since my trip to Paris but I assure that will not be my last.

À bientôt, Paris.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:31:00 -0400

Well, today is my last day in Paris. But I had still had some really exciting things today! First, we went to Père Lachaise, which is the largest cemetery in Paris filled with many notable people and great achievers in each of their disciplines. The gravesites here are not below the ground like in America. They are above the ground and almost are little individual memorials as well. Being a piano major and a huge fan in general, I was very excited to see Frédéric Chopin’s grave. I wrote my final project in my Contemporary Paris honors seminar on his achievements towards the era of Romanticism, which made this experience that more special to me. His compositions for piano are absolutely beautiful even for a nonclassical music fan and I recommend his works to everyone. We also saw Oscar Wilde’s grave, which was very cool. There was a glass wall around the actual tomb and many fans had visited and left little notes written in bright lipstick or simply kisses too.

Afterwards, we took the subway to Moulin Rouge, which is known for its seductive nature. From there we walked to Montmartre, which is lively section of Paris similar to Mont Parnasse but more of a local, less urban atmosphere. There was a large area with many artists showcasing and selling their Paris-themed pieces, which were all very breathtaking. As you walked around you could easily each painter’s signature style. One painted the Eiffel tower while emphasizing the trees and greenery around the monument. Another painted the infamous tower with a more graphic, modern style including text. There were also artists going around sketching people and painting portraits too. But most interesting, they were a couple of men with a small piece of paper and a pair of scissors that would cut out a silhouette of your profile in the ten seconds you walked past them. Further down, there were street performers like a harpist and a guitarist. I absolutely loved the atmosphere! Then we visited Sacré Cœur. The church is one of the most visited sites in Paris. They did not allow any photos to be taken inside but for the record, the interior was stunning! Today was so fun and thrilling but it still is my last day in Paris. I don’t want to leave! This week has been amazing!

On the steps of Sacré Cœur.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:30:44 -0400

On the steps of Sacré Cœur.

Street performer near Sacré Cœur.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:29:11 -0400

Street performer near Sacré Cœur.

Sacré Cœur.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:27:35 -0400

Sacré Cœur.

Montmartre.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:26:14 -0400

Montmartre.

Exploring the streets of Montmartre.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:24:30 -0400

Exploring the streets of Montmartre.

Smooches for Oscar Wilde <3

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:21:05 -0400

Smooches for Oscar Wilde <3

Photo

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:20:06 -0400

Frédéric Chopin’s grave at Père Lachaise. My personal...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:18:43 -0400

Frédéric Chopin’s grave at Père Lachaise. My personal Justin Beiber :)

Jeudi.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:14:00 -0400

This day was a little more relaxing than yesterday, which was filled with different sites and attractions. First, we went to the Opèra Garnier. This is the older opera house in Paris, compared to the Opèra Bastille. Then, we had time to roam the area and shop. I went to all sorts of expensive stores only found in places like Paris and also some small locally owned boutiques. But I think the best part was to be able to people watch and embrace the city life of Paris.

Then, we walked to the Madeleine. It is a church with a neoclassical architectural style. However, it was built as a temple to praise Napoleon’s army. After, we took the subway to Montparnasse, which is a very lively part of Paris. There, we also had time to shop around and explore. We then bought movie tickets to see the highly popular movie The Hunger Games in one of the local movie theaters. The movie was great but it was even more exciting to see it in Paris! Luckily, the movie was in English and there were only French subtitles. Overall, I had a great day of exploration and spent a lot of quality time with my peers in this wonderful city.

And to end this great day….May the odds be ever in your...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:13:42 -0400

And to end this great day….May the odds be ever in your favor.

Montparnasse Tower.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:11:53 -0400

Montparnasse Tower.

Madeliene.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:10:48 -0400

Madeliene.

Opèra Garnier.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:05:00 -0400

Opèra Garnier.

Mercredi.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:03:00 -0400

Today has been so busy! So many things stuffed into one day! But still exciting! In the morning, we visited the Opèra Bastille. From there we walked a several blocks to Victor Hugo’s apartment. It was really interesting to see some of his actual furniture as well as personal letters he wrote. We were allowed to look into his bedroom and there was a desk that he used to write his works. I learned that he wrote standing up which was very unusual and very intriguing to me.

Later, we went to the Pompidou museum. This was probably one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip. The museum showcased all types of modern art. I saw art through all sorts of mediums like paint and sketch as well as televisions bottle caps. All of the art was amazing but during our explorations, the strong abstractness of some of the pieces sparked a very interesting conversation between my peers and I. We began to question and discuss what really defined art and is need, as far as requirements, to classify a piece as art. Is it simply talent and skill? Does the concept behind the piece of the creativity and originality of it matter at all? With DAAP students as well as other non-art related disciplines in the mix, this allowed for a very well rounded discussion.

Fortunately, time allowed for another visit to the Notre Dame and this time I was able to go up the tower. Even though I have a slight fear of heights (see back to the plane incident) I still could not pass up the opportunity. After walking up steps for seemingly hours, I was able to see Paris from the most spectacular view. It was scary and thrilling all at the same time. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

That night, the group decided that we would go to the Arc de Triomphe. From the top of the monument, you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. I felt like I was in a movie! It was great! It was relaxing and freeing. What a wonderful way to end a busy but great day :)

Paris at night. I think I’m in love.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:02:32 -0400

Paris at night. I think I’m in love.

Roman remains.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:01:17 -0400

Roman remains.

Ohh, Paris.

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:06 -0400

Ohh, Paris.

Where is Hunchback?

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 07:58:17 -0400

Where is Hunchback?