Well this is embarrassing, it's been almost a month since my last post. Time really does fly. Since my last post, I've gotten to know Paris much better and have started to discover some of its unique opportunities, namely the boatload of "special events" that are plastered all over the walls of the metro.
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| Raspberries! |
Paris is home to more festivals than weekends to host them. In the last few weeks, I've been to three very different festivals in three very different parts of the city. The Fête du Vendages was hosted around Sacre Coeur, atop Montmartre, which has amazing views of the entire city. Unfortunately, to get to this area, hiking up a giant hill (in chic Parisian-wear) is required. The Fête du Vendages celebrated wine and cuisine from all over France. To my friends and I this meant one, very important, thing: free samples. Booths were lined up and down the streets around the giant church offering "goûter" (tasting) of wine, cheese, chocolate and other goodies. We were offered postcards and travel information about different regions of France. My favorite part of the day was when a friend and I decided to split a carton of perfectly plump raspberries at a stand run by a little old couple from Lorraine. The day was a success, we walked back down the hill stuffed and happy from wine.
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| Ceiling of the Grand Palais |
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| Darth Vader vs. Harry Potter? |
For one of my classes here, each class meeting, we visit a different museum. Last Friday, we went to
FIAC (Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain) at the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais is a magnificent building near the Champs Elysees. FIAC was hosted in the glass ceilinged apse of the Grand Palais, which is incredible in and of itself. Contemporary art from around the world was set up in mini galleries stretching from one end of the space to the other. Every medium was represented. The booth designed by Karl Lagerfeld was a little much. Overall, the fair was very eclectic. I found some of the photography particularly moving and most of the sculptures incredibly bizarre. It was a unique experience that I might not have tried if it hadn't been for this class. Though there was no free food, it was definitely worthwhile.
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| Chocolate Arc-de-Triomphe |
The most recent (and mouthwatering) festival in Paris was the Salon du Chocolat. Yes. It was as incredible as it sounds. Set between the "Kid Expo" and video game fair at the Parisian conference center in a fairly sketchy neighborhood, the Salon du Chocolat was one of the most happening events this weekend. When we walked in, I thought I had entered Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Or heaven. The smell of chocolate filled the air. Booths filled the room as far as the eye could see. Signs from chocolatiers all over the world advertised their specialties. Everywhere we looked, free samples (my new favorite words) were offered to whoever wanted them. After about 15 minutes, my friends and I realized that we might not have the chocolate stamina to make it through the entire festival. Though the samples were small, we consumed them so rapidly that we already had stomach aches. Unwilling to give up, we powered through and decided the only cure for a chocolate-induced stomach ache was to eat more chocolate. So we did. After watching a guy sculpt a giant block of chocolate into a rugby ball, dream about sleeping in the bed made entirely out of chocolate, admire chocolate and pastry-themed jewelry, we decided to take a look at the chocolate fashion show. About 20 "garments," made completely out of chocolate (mannequins included), lined the center of the room. Though none of the clothes looked particularly wearable, they all looked deliciously edible. After our sugar highs wore off, we decided to leave the magic of the Salon to crash into the food comas we so desperately needed. Three festivals in three weeks certainly has not exhausted my wonder of the strange goings-on in Paris. Quite the opposite actually, I can't wait for the next spectacular Parisian event to amaze me, and hopefully, there will be some more free food.
The most recent (and mouthwatering) festival in Paris was the Salon du Chocolat. Yes. It was as incredible as it sounds. Set between the "Kid Expo" and video game fair at the Parisian conference center in a fairly sketchy neighborhood, the Salon du Chocolat was one of the most happening events this weekend. When we walked in, I thought I had entered Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Or heaven. The smell of chocolate filled the air. Booths filled the room as far as the eye could see. Signs from chocolatiers all over the world advertised their specialties. Everywhere we looked, free samples (my new favorite words) were offered to whoever wanted them. After about 15 minutes, my friends and I realized that we might not have the chocolate stamina to make it through the entire festival. Though the samples were small, we consumed them so rapidly that we already had stomach aches. Unwilling to give up, we powered through and decided the only cure for a chocolate-induced stomach ache was to eat more chocolate. So we did. After watching a guy sculpt a giant block of chocolate into a rugby ball, dream about sleeping in the bed made entirely out of chocolate, admire chocolate and pastry-themed jewelry, we decided to take a look at the chocolate fashion show. About 20 "garments," made completely out of chocolate (mannequins included), lined the center of the room. Though none of the clothes looked particularly wearable, they all looked deliciously edible. After our sugar highs wore off, we decided to leave the magic of the Salon to crash into the food comas we so desperately needed. Three festivals in three weeks certainly has not exhausted my wonder of the strange goings-on in Paris. Quite the opposite actually, I can't wait for the next spectacular Parisian event to amaze me, and hopefully, there will be some more free food.
