Carrefour mon amour

Is it wrong to love Carrefour? I guess that best way to describe it would be to call it the Wal-Mart of France, but it is so much better than that. I went to the one nearest my house cet apres-midi. At first, I was very confused. I saw a sign for Carrefour, but all that was there was a grassy nole. This supershoppingcenter was sous terre. Crazy. I went in looking for a cd by either Renan Luce or Julien Dore. These are the two French artists that I'm really diggin' at the moment. I only came away with the Dore CD, but it is pretty cool. I recomend looking for the multiple YouTube clips of "Les Limites." I promise you'll learn some good dance moves from Julien and his friends. Another great song on the CD is Figures Imposees. I may or may not have been singing to these two songs since I opened the case. Have jewel cases always been so difficult to open or is it just me?
So the supermarche part of Carrefour is imense. Two isles devoted to yaourt. Two or three to cheese. A seafood section that smells so fresh. Boulangerie bien sur. More wine than the NH state liquor store. Okay, that one might be a stretch. I could wander around that place for ever. I ended up buying some shampooing, (kid you not, that's the word for shampoo in French) and a chocolate yogart drink for the walk home.

We set our clocks back this weekend here in France so it was 5:30 when I was walking home, but the sun was already setting; threw me for a loop. I'll have to get use to that. I'll also have to get use to homework and exams. I had my first exam on the IVeme Republique and the role it played in the construction of the Europe. No biggie.

A plus

le shop

I've seen better daytime clubs. It was a bit lackluster and way too expensive with not nearly enough cool graphic t-shirts. But if I ever want to spend 60 euros on a belt, I know where to go.

suis-je un "vrai americain?"

Je viens de regarder The Daily Show de 20 octobre. Olalala. Je ne suis pas vraiment un des gens qui peuvent bien s'exprimer quand le sujet s'agit des politiques. Chai pas. But what in the world does it mean to be a real american? Am I allowed to talk about this being an American living abroad during the most important election of our times? Do I love America as much as the next Broccali Rob even though I'm over hear chillin' with the Frogs eating baguettes for breakfast? Why are we even talking about "real America" and "real Virginia?" Those quotations by Sarah Palin and Nancy Pfotenhauer as presented by The Daily Show have really got me going tonight, so instead of writing my homework paper, which, I kid you not, has the subject of being an expatriot, I've decided to do a little venting here. Je m'excuse.

Is Lewiston, Maine a "real American" town? When do you no longer live in a small town? What qualifies a city? Does this have anything to do with red and blue areas of states? So the "real Virginia" is outside the beltway, what about the "real Maine?" How far away from Portland do you have to be? Why am I asking so many questions?

I'm proud to be an American. I'm also proud that when you write in French, and use words like francias et americain as adjectives you don't have to capitalize them. That shift button can get a little annoying. This may or may not be the second time that I have spent extended time living outside les Etats-Unis, but I think it has allowed me to grow as a person. And I would also like to that my family for the sacrifices they have made to give me these opportunities. Having the ability to compare Paris 1 and Bates College has given me a greater appreciation for the life I get to live back home than I ever thought possible.

Par example, today I tried to sign up for a library card at La Sorbonne, but did you know that you have to bring your own passport sized photo, your carte d'etudiant, you certificate scolarite, proof of residence, and 8 euros?!? Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I didn't get to go to the library today. Maybe next week. Yesterday I tried to sign up for a basketball team. The hours are limited, there are no more places for the teams that compete in interuniversite games, and I won't be able to play until mid-November because I won't have my french doctors permission form, cela veut dire ma carte de sejours, until the 21st of next month. Gosh I miss the Lord Ephin' Cule Mamels. Or an open gym for that matter...Paris is so spread out that I would say that it is not the idle location to faire etudes superieur.

In other news, I bought two books today for my la France, l'Allemande, et l'Europe class today. It made me happy to explore a bookstore. I also bought a map of France so I can learn all of the departements, regions, and hopefully prefectures. We'll see how that goes. I also picked up a fifth class. L'Amerique du Nord. We'll talk about a little European colonization, westward expansion, so fun-filled Canadian facts, and much more. I haven't taken American history course since that time I wanted to throw The American Pagent out the window, but I'm sure that this will be fine.

Thursday's planned adventure is taking me to a store in the 3eme called Le Shop. The Lonely Planet describes it as "a daytime club." They say "it's packed with different streetear labels and hip-hop gear. Pick up flyers and info on nightclubs and get your party outfit while you're at it."

I want a party outfit.

France-Tunisie

I went to my first soccer game of the year this past Tuesday. No big deal. 75,000 people watching a testy match between France and Tunisia. There were most definitely some colonization issues still being expressed. I did, however, manage to make some Tunisian friends in the metro on the way to the match. Tunisia scored the first goal and the crowd went crazy. Flags, dancing, flares, its was a party and it even seemed like I was in Tunis. But the French ended up winning the match. Titi (Thierry Henry) scored two goals. One before halftime, upper 90, to equal the score. He and my baby (Gourcouff) had a great give and go just outside of the box. Benzema and Henry both scored in the second half which was dominated by "les Bleus." Two Stade Rennais players participated in the game. Fanni, who started, and Jimmy Briand (my other baby) entered towards the end of the game. The final game of the year takes place on November 19th against Uruguay. Might have to go to that.

I had to add a fifth class to meet the Middlebury standards for how many hours I have during the week. I hope the prof doesn't mind that I have missed the first two classes, but its a class about the history of North America, so I should be able to catch up just fine. Its on Monday mornings from 8-11, so I will still have my Thursdays free for adventures.

Today I walked from my house through the 15e, 14e, 6e, and 5e all the way to Rue Moufftard, where a certain M. Breautoteau lives. I also discovered Rue du Maine along this trip and a Bretagne gift shop where I purchased my favorite soda, Breizh Cola, in a fancy glass bottle to save forever, and add to my colection.

Entre ici et la

I love Thursdays. I don't have any classes, and hopefully never will, on this day. And since it was so beautiful I decided to adventure across the city. Now, some will say that Paris is a really big city. I would like to disagree. This past week I have run into my friend Clara from Bates twice without planning on meeting up. The first time was Tuesday morning at the Sorbonne. This is understandable, we both take classes there and the building is only the size of one block. This morning was more of a surprise. I had just traversed the 16eme and was crossing a street when someone called out my name at a crosswalk. I turned around and saw Clara at the cafe on the corner. We hung out until she had to leave for class.

After this adventure I walked around Paris for about five more hours. My adventures to me to Montmatre where I attempted to retraced the movie of Amelie. Not all the sights were discovered, I got lost on the way there and ended up at an Ibis in the 17eme thanks to taking a wrong turn, wandering through a park, and discovering the Midwest of Paris. When I got the base of Sacre Coeur, Yann Tiersen music was playing from the merry-go-round. If it wasn't such a touristy spot I would have stayed longer. I climbed to the top, watched some street performers, and ventured on to le canal st martin. I walked along the canal just until La Place de la Republique where I decided that since I was close enough to the Jewish quartier, I would try and find an afternoon snack. Unfortunatly, Sacha Finkelszrajn was closed. So was "the best falafal in the world." So I found a grocery store and bought a drinkable yaourt. Not nearly as satisfied.

I got home around 7. And now I'm exhausted.

Normandie (et Breizh)

So for the last two days I have managed to escape the ever hectic life of Paris and go on a weekend excursion to Normandie. As a group, both Juniors and Middlebury Grad students we visited Bayaux, The American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Mont St. Michel, and a chateau at Carrouges. Pas mal comme voyage. This may or may not have been my fourth visit to Mont St. Michel which lies on the border between Normandie and Bretagne. I've always been a fan of Bretange ever since living in Rennes three years ago, so to celebrate the occasion I bought a sticker of a Gwen ha du, and wore my Stade Rennais jersey all day today. They even upset Lyon 3-0 this afternoon. Hat trick de Pagis. Kinda wish I had seen it, but spending time in small town France is always enjoyable. Even if it was a rainy day it was still beautiful. On the bus ride home we watched a movie called "Tanguy." An interesting French film about a 28 year old man who still lives with his parents. Not sure if I would recomend it, but if your up for an adventure...

A plus.