The Best Longest Day Ever!

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, yesterday was the "Fete de la Musique" all over Europe and, of course, in Paris the Music Festival was celebrated with pizzaz! This festival happens every year on the longest day of the year. My watch broke right before my trip, so I have been going along and living my days without a single care about what time it is. This got the better of me for the first time yesterday. I was heading back to the apartment in what I thought was early evening (the sun was just beginning to set) and was beginning to get hungry. Sarah and Andrew and I decided to get some dinner before we walked around to find music, and when we looked at the time, it was 10 o'clock! However, we were not alone in the restaurant- it seems that everyone had the same idea. After enjoying some excellent Moroccan food (Morocco, a north-African country, used to belong to France, so there are some strong French-Moroccan ties), we began to walk the streets looking for music.

By the amount of people that were on the street, you might have thought that it was the middle of the day! We saw all types of local and visiting bands, from an Irish folk music band, to a great French band playing American music, to a single Frenchman (beret and all!) playing famous French music, to a Reggae band at the Eiffel Tower. Just as that band ended its set, the back lights of the Eiffel Tower turned off, and it began to sparkle! What a way to end the night!

Earlier in the day, we went to visit the Louvre, the biggest and most famous museum in Paris (this is where the Mona Lisa is displayed). As we were walking across the courtyard, we heard music and high voice singing opera. We were curious to see who was singing this beautiful music. After wading through the crowd, we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw not an elegantly dressed woman, but a man dressed in baggy street clothes, singing in his falsetto voice! It was quite unexpected, and was a good lesson that people are not always what they seem. From looking at this man, I would have never guessed that he would have such a talent!

I realize that this is getting a bit long, but I want to share with you all that I got a fantastic book yesterday with 1500 traditional songs, poems, and games. It even comes with a CD, and is considered the most comprehensive collection of essential rhymes, etc. in France. Many of these have been around centuries! I can't wait to learn some with my students!

Well, tonight ends my stay on Paris. Tomorrow I leave for Geneva, Switzerland. Happy belated Fete de la Musique to everyone at home!

I Love Paris in the Summer, When it Sizzles

I apologize for the missed post- unfortunately, internet in the big city is not free and easy like it is in the small towns I have been up till now!

Before I left Maule, I decided to visit their world-famous "chocolaterie", or chocolate store. This store, Colas, is known not only for the unmatched taste of their fine chocolates, but also for the fact that they use their chocolate to make art! Their chocolate shoes (not to be worn, obviously!), their mini chocolate pianos and chocolate African masks are bought and sold all over Europe. Take a look at the pictures- all chocolate. I bought a chocolate tool box with chocolate hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers for the family I will stay with in Geneva, and of course a little assortment of dark chocolates for myself and my husband.

Then on to Paris. Ah, Paris! As I walk down the streets, I cannot help but hum the tune "I Love Paris" and feel like I am living in a movie. As it turns out, I am staying with my two comanions so far (Andrew and Sarah) in a fantastic apartment right next to the Latin Quarter, an old section of Paris which is full of book stores, shops and cafes. The streets of this city are so packed with history, and I find myself constantly wondering, "Did Victor Hugo ever walk down this alley? Did King Louis ever wander these gardens? What conversations could be overheard on this corner during the French Revolution?"

A couple of popular things for kids to do in Paris are 1) sailing boats at the pond in the Jardin de Luxembourg- a big garden, and 2) play with their friends in one of the million parks around town. In fact, last night I saw some kids playing tag. Instead of saying, "You're it!", they say "Touche!"

Last night I walked along the River Seine, where people young and old, French and very un-French, rich and poor, claimed their preferred picnic spots. For nearly a mile, blankets were spread right next to the river and friends chatted with friends. There is even a little section of the river where there are nightly tango lessons. Wow, could those people dance!!

Today is a really special day in all of Europe. It's called "La Fête de la Musique". Apparently, bands from all over the city play in the streets all night long! I can't think of the last time that I stayed up past midnight, but I think that this would be a worthy occasion. I'll let you know how it goes!