Train station

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence. "

~ Desiderata

Salsa dancing in Paris

It's been about a month since I've danced, and today I went to Barrio Latino in Paris by what used to be the Bastille and all I can say is wow.. What an amazing atmosphere that place had! There were lots of amazing dancers jiving to awesome music. Pretty awesome.. though the venue was rather small; tall though (four levels, but only the ground floor was open to dancing).

=)

And no, this isn't how it looked while I was there. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera out of my bag while dancing, so we all will have to make do with a picture I found online. So unfortunately, no pictures of the venue, no pictures of me, and no pictures of me and any friends I was able to make then.

All those fluffy seats in the center were moved aside and that entire area was open for dancing. It was actually rather spacious there had there been less people, but hey, business was good tonight. Isn't it such a pretty place though? I love love loved the staircase! It looked almost like the one from Titanic. Very fun. Come salsa with me! =D

Completely not french, but still yummy

that's right.
spam musubi.
mystery meat wrapped up with rice in seaweed.
yum yum yum...
so yummy that my monster danced to it. ;)

Photojournal 2: Sacre Coeur et le Tour Eiffel and a yummy glass of wine

^ at the entrance of the Sacre Coeur which, by French standards, isn't old at all.^ wandering the cobblestone roads of Montmartre.^ more weddings!^ in hopes of world peace^ yum...

Sabrina

"And another thing, never a briefcase in Paris and never an umbrella. There's a law."
~ Sabrina Fairchild

Not quite sure about Paris quite yet since it fortunately hasn't rained while I was actually in Paris, but it sure seems to be the case in Creil. Lots of people here just walk out in the rain, perhaps with a hood on, but for the most part, umbrella-less. And here I am in my coat and scarf and gloves and golf sized umbrella which I so happen to adore. Only French umbrellas are half the size of mines. And not to mention, their sidewalks are half the size of American sidewalks too! (ok, perhaps a gross exaggeration but they're definitely smaller.)

So to blend with the locals (as best a foreigner can) I should probably take Sabrina's words of wisdom right? I'll forgo the briefcase (backpack in my case) but I don't think I'll let go of the umbrella. brr..

Sundays

Sundays here are depressing.

barren streets

no one's outside

Creil is silent.

I should remember to go to Paris on Sundays now.

even then lots of things are closed.

so i ask, "what do people here do on sundays?"
the answer: smile, "you rest, of course"


good thing it's monday now



Onto week #3 of teaching and on the bright side, I have a break next week! A nice week and a half off. Though I'm not doing much as is, but it'll be a good time to see the rest of France and then the rest of Europe.

So far teaching hasn't been terribly disastrous. Most of the kids are eager to learn and participate. So much that they shout out answers often. As a teacher trying to get her point across, this comes as a dilemma. On one hand, it's great because they're smart, are eager to participate, and they know what the correct answer is. On the other hand, one at a time! Is that too hard?








< pixellated oscar the grouch on a parisian wall

Photojournal: Paris at Sunset and Night