More Adventures in Paris

Yesterday we went to Montmartre, which was definitely one of my favorite places. It had a rough start, as when we were exiting the metro I noticed that the homeless man in front of us kept turning around to look at us. Due to the very many sets of staircases we all had to get in a really big elevator. It stopped at one point and Chris got off, not noticing that no one else was. I didn't want to cause a scene by yelling after him so I got off too and saw that the man and the homeless woman he was with did as well. So I ran after Chris and told him this and we ended up sprinting up the remaining stairs, which were circular, and quite numerous. When we got up we tried to walk away from the area as quickly as possible.

Quite out of breath we then had to figure out a way to get to Sacre Couer, which is the church on top of the hill. We did not have a map of the area and did not want to go back to the metro station so we decided to just work our way up to the top.
This worked, though we later realized it took a much longer time. Still, it was well worth it. From the top there are absolutely gorgeous views of the city below. The sun was finally out and we were happy to feel warm and be in this beautiful place.



Sacre Couer is situated on the very top and is so lovely. I actually liked it more than the Notre Dame, although I think that has to do with the experience as well. When we walked in a mass was in session and it was quite enchanting. There were nuns standing across the altar and they were all singing in this beautifully ethereal harmony that sounded so amazing with the acoustics of the building. We sat there for a long time listening and at one point I was almost moved to tears. You would have really loved it, Mom, I kept thinking of you. There was also a really amazing high dome that had four angels carved below smaller stained glass windows that were refreshingly simple. The clean lines and streaming light created a really nice effect of effortless beauty. We walked around the church some more and I tried to sneak a picture so that I could remember it (photos aren't allowed so excuse the quality of it) before walking out.


The terrace and steps outside Sacre Couer are where a scene in Amelie was filmed so I was sad that we weren't allowed to go on them because of the snow, since that is one of my favorite movies. We took some pictures instead and decided we'd just have to come back. Not too bad of a plan, I'd say.


(This is the view from below. Sacre Couer is on top and the merry-go-round and stairs are in the scene in Amelie when she sets up the elaborate plan to give back the photo book to the boy.)

We walked down the steps next to the terraced area instead and, since there was nowhere else for anyone to go, there was a swarm of gypsies covering the whole area. Chris and I tried to walk quickly through them but one grabbed my arm and ever so charmingly said "'Ello baby" but I was able to pull away from him and we got out of there.



Before leaving we stopped at a crepe stand so that I could get my first crepe ever. It was so delicious. I definitely love crepes- so easy to walk around with, so warm in my hand, and so very tasty.





Later we walked to the Eiffel Tower again, so as to see it during the day, and walked along the Seine a bit more. It was then dinner time so we went on a search for food. I should mention that we really wanted some good meat, as it had been a whil,e since things are so expensive at restaurants in our area. We walked past a butchery that had chickens roasting on a spit outside and the smell was intoxicating. The woman told us that we'd have to wait half an hour for a hot one so we decided just to get one that had been out of the spit for a while. (It was getting late. And we really wanted meat.) Anyways, it was a really funny experience for us, cutting it up in the bathroom (hey, it's where the only good light is) and being so happy to finally have meat.







Today we wanted to go to Pere Lachaise Cemetery so we took the metro all the way out there only to find out that it was closed because of the snow. This really upset me because it was the thing that I had most been looking forward to. I am consoling myself with the fact that we think we may come back for spring break but it was really a big disappointment.

Instead, we went to the Latin Quarter, a university area that was pretty and walked around there for a while.

After that we walked past the Eiffel Tower, yet again (though this time with blue skies) and headed to the Arc D'Triomphe. It was truly massive and it was a crazy area with all the cars speeding around the circle. The area was also home to tons of designer stores- Louis Vuiton, Rolex, Hermes, and so many others. Actually, I had no idea what a lot of them were but according to Chris they are very well known and fancy. I guess that's one of the differences between working as a librarian and working as a concierge.






(Cav, I uploaded this because I wondered what you thought of it.)

We then walked to Rue Cler, near our hotel, an street filled with food stores, and purchased another crepe, so that we could make sure to have it one last time. They really are so good.



Tomorrow we leave at 4:30 in the morning in order to catch our flight and will later that day be transported by bus to Perugia where we will stay the night in a hotel. I think we meet our roommates and have a big group dinner and then the next day are brought to are apartments. We then have what they deem the intensive Italian week, where we take only Italian for hours each day. That to me is the thing I am least happy about. However, I am looking forward to establishing a routine and having a place to settle into. I'm also excited to see what my apartment will be like and to finally see the city that I have been looking at pictures of and reading about for a year or so now. Wish me luck, as I am nervous, since there will be so many new things at once. I will write when I get the chance, but I have no idea what the Internet situation will be. I hope you are all doing well!