Hither...Tither...and Thither...and off she goes!

My time is Paris is coming along wonderfully.  Each day I feel more and more like a Parisian and less like a visitor.  My french is improving, and I've been told that my accent is excellent.  I think that's because I  mock people easily. =)  Each day is filled with an unexpected surprise and new opportunities.  Let's see where I left off...

Monday...

USA, Canada, Isreal and England

All Americans 

On Monday I went to  The Paris Urban Adventures Meet Up Group and had drinks (non alcholic for me) at Carr's Irish Pub in Paris.  It was really cool to hook up with a group of zany expatriates for a few hours and to speak English!  After speaking mostly french...I was feeling as if I had forgotten my native tongue.  The group generally gets together about once or twice a month for events.  It's comprised of English speaking people from all over the world that currently live in Paris. Most of the group is from the US, England and Austrialia.  They all seemed to end up in Paris because of work, but there are  a few that just decided to give french living a try.  They were very surprised that I had already found the Meet Up Group...but then again...I'm very resourceful.

Tuesday...

On Tuesday...I was very much like a tourist...in a good way.  I went to the Louvre, which NEVER gets old.  It's definitely a place that you have to visit- and not for a few minutes.  You need to spend a few days.  Pictures aren't allowed on the inside, but your eyes will never forget.  Fortunately, you can take as many photos as your memory card will allow outside.  

Palais Royal is only a stones throw from the Louvre and it has a very colorful history.  Make sure you click on the link to learn more about it's sorted past.  I shot a music video hear at Palais Royal with an Austrailian singer back in 2008.  The visit brought back fond memories for me.  One of my favorite things about Palais Royal is the art exhibit Buren Columns.  They were finally restored in Janvier January 2010.    Also there is a cool art exhibit outside the Palais Royal that reminds me of a mini Watts Towers.  

La Jungle

After hanging out in the 1st arrondissment all morning, I went searching for a new bibliotheque library because the Centre Pompidou is closed on Tuesdays.  In Paris, most of the libraries are NOT open to the public, and they are not free.  The exception is the Centre Pompidou.  On my quest...I happened upon several unexpected surprises like La Jungle where they serve great food and they also host different African musicians in concert.

After asking around I found that the Bibliotheque Nationale de France was open on Tuesdays and available to the public for 3,50 euro a day.  It was well worth the trip.  The library is beautiful on the inside and out.  A yearly membership is available for 38 euro annually or 20 euro annually if you're a student.  It's well worth the investment.  The library is housed in quatre four towers that are designed to look like open books.  It's really beautiful.  Once there, I was able to find a cool study section in the Art History study room.  I worked there all afternoon.  It reminded me of Hogwarts...but then again...I've been told that I have a childs mind...go figure.

The Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand (the other name for the Bibliotheque Nationale de France) also has an amazing collection of Art.  I definitely got my euros worth!

 

Wednesday....

I spent most of the day writing, but I did take a moment or two...to walk around  and look at the high fashion that Paris has to offer.

miu miu

On my way home...I was greeted by the magnificient beauty of the Academie Nationale De Musique.  I don't care if you normally like the Opera or not...this is definitely a stop on the 100 things to do before you die.  It's simply GRAND.

I will catch up on the weekend tomorrow.  There were parties and pastries...something else to look forward to next time!