Bonjour!!!!
Well I've done a lot in the past week or so that i haven't been blogging. Forgive me! Im having the time of my life & its going to be so sad when i leave. I feel as though ill be leaving another life of mine here in Paris. LOL Im making friends and having so much fun. Heres a sum up of some of the things I've been doing...,
Eiffel Tower-
When i finally made it to the Eiffel Tower, & after having an OMG moment and a tear from overwhelmingness, i walked down closer. Only to walk up on a photo-shoot for a high fashion magazine ( they wouldn't say which magazine) but I'm assuming its Vogue. A beautiful tall blonde model & Mike Delfino from the Desperate Housewives tv show were the main focus in this photo. It was on the carousel in front of the Eiffel Tower. To be completely honest i was just watching the hairdresser that was doing the models hair. LOL typical nick i know, but i was so fascinated!!! After the shoot was over i got to speak with the Hairdresser & Mike Delfino, both very kind!!!
Jim Morrison-
Ive seen Jim Morrison's grave which was very cool. It was practically a maze and his grave site is like a HUGE attraction for tourist and just some locals. It was surreal being there. This was something I've always wanted to do. There were red roses, wine bottles and letters from his many fans who have come to see him. BORN TO BE WILD!!!! <3
Champs Elysees-
The "RodeoDR" of Paris as i like to call it. LOL It was like a movie. Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Dior and so many others all is this one location. Beautiful buildings with beautiful people and their poodles everywhere! lol Im thinking Paris needs some doggy feathers!!!!! :P
Moulin Rouge-
Ive always expected it to be so raunchy but it was a beautiful area really. Very touristy though & a must see for anyone who comes to Paris. Prepare to pay a small fortune to watch the show though. There was a line all the way around the block to get in. I would have loved to have watched a show, but the parisians i was with weren't having it lol So we decided to stroll in & out of the sex stores! WOW! A little too much for me, but ill never forget laughing so hard with these new friends of mine. :)
Falafel's-
I always thought from the movie devil wears prada that a falafel is something sweet and breakfast-like. Well its a burger inside a sub roll with all your favorite vegetables. You can really make it your own. Ive only had this sandwich from some arabic restaurants but it was always still delicious even though it wasnt sweet lol.
My next mission is going to see Mona Lisa in the Louvre <3 I must see her! :)
Thanks for reading!!
Till next time
Ex Oh Ex Oh
Nick
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Day #4 In Paris
Bonjour!!
So on my fourth day in Paris, i decided i wanted to try some authentic Parisian food. The Parisians either go to dinner at 8pm, or 10pm. I decided to beat the crowd and have an early but long dinner and go around 7pm. I walked down the street until i found something that seemed to draw me in. I found a place that was dim and red inside with candles and tropical plants everywhere. It was called "ANGKORA Restaraunt & Bar ." When i walked in i felt this very chic atmosphere in the air. ( a typical french atmosphere i suppose ) A distant musical trendy beat playing in the background set the mood for what i was hoping to be an unforgettable appetizing meal. I walked up to the bar and of coarse asked them in french if they spoke English. One of the bar tenders said yes right away & seemed very happy to help. I wasn't sure if i should seat myself or wait to be seated so i asked this english speaking french man & he said "well are you eating or drinking???" I answered with "Both!!" Then he said with a smile on his face" you can sit wherever you'd like monsieur." After thanking him, I wandered around just a little bit until i found a table. Small enough for two so my bag would have someone where to sit as well. :) Of coarse the menu is all french so im not sure what is what. I think he could tell by my facial expression that i couldn't understand any of the menu so, he came to my table and sat down and translated for me. We came to a conclusion.
Wine: Sauvinon - 2.9EUROS.
White wine that was sweet but not a sweet as i anticipated, but still very good.
I gave it 4 out 5 *'s LOL
Appetizer: Tarte Feuilletee Tomatoes Confites & Ricotta - 7EUROS
Deliciously sliced fresh tomatoes & ricotta cheese serve over what i like to think of as a very thin crusted soft pizza dough, NOT A PIZZA THOUGH! With some sort of green sauce around the actual food for you to dip into.
I gave this dish 5 out of 5 *'s
Main Coarse: Brocette D' Agneau Grille - 18EUROS
With a very abstract look to this dish, i was excited to dig in. :P It was a steak kabob with grilled vegetables in-between each piece of meat , dangling over my plate. Youll just have to see the pictures on my Facebook to understand. Underneath the dangling kabob, was alot of different veggies diced to perfection drenched in this delicious red sauce, and mashed potatoes with a fried outter layer.
YUMMMMM!
I gave this dish 6 out of 5 *'s LOL
Desert: Fondant Chocolat Noir - 5EUROS
A rich chocolate cake that had a sponge-like substance with a very small scoop of vanilla icecream on top. With a salted but very sweet caramel drizzled all over! WOW!
I gave this dish 5 out of 5 *'s
After i finished all these different foods, my very kind and super slim waiter named "Francois" recommended a final shot of Cognac 5EUROS to wash it all down and help with digestion. Of coarse i said yes because i wanted to have dinner the french way.
With "BORN TO BE WILD by STEFFANWOLF" playing in the back ground, i sat for a moment and listened while finishing my glass of wine & people watched. I heard bottle corks popping, french people laughing and greeting each other with a single kiss on each cheek while smoking their cigarettes. I had a moment of just complete and utter realization again!
I said to my self under my breathe, " Oh my gosh, IM IN PARIS!
So on my fourth day in Paris, i decided i wanted to try some authentic Parisian food. The Parisians either go to dinner at 8pm, or 10pm. I decided to beat the crowd and have an early but long dinner and go around 7pm. I walked down the street until i found something that seemed to draw me in. I found a place that was dim and red inside with candles and tropical plants everywhere. It was called "ANGKORA Restaraunt & Bar ." When i walked in i felt this very chic atmosphere in the air. ( a typical french atmosphere i suppose ) A distant musical trendy beat playing in the background set the mood for what i was hoping to be an unforgettable appetizing meal. I walked up to the bar and of coarse asked them in french if they spoke English. One of the bar tenders said yes right away & seemed very happy to help. I wasn't sure if i should seat myself or wait to be seated so i asked this english speaking french man & he said "well are you eating or drinking???" I answered with "Both!!" Then he said with a smile on his face" you can sit wherever you'd like monsieur." After thanking him, I wandered around just a little bit until i found a table. Small enough for two so my bag would have someone where to sit as well. :) Of coarse the menu is all french so im not sure what is what. I think he could tell by my facial expression that i couldn't understand any of the menu so, he came to my table and sat down and translated for me. We came to a conclusion.
Wine: Sauvinon - 2.9EUROS.
White wine that was sweet but not a sweet as i anticipated, but still very good.
I gave it 4 out 5 *'s LOL
Appetizer: Tarte Feuilletee Tomatoes Confites & Ricotta - 7EUROS
Deliciously sliced fresh tomatoes & ricotta cheese serve over what i like to think of as a very thin crusted soft pizza dough, NOT A PIZZA THOUGH! With some sort of green sauce around the actual food for you to dip into.
I gave this dish 5 out of 5 *'s
Main Coarse: Brocette D' Agneau Grille - 18EUROS
With a very abstract look to this dish, i was excited to dig in. :P It was a steak kabob with grilled vegetables in-between each piece of meat , dangling over my plate. Youll just have to see the pictures on my Facebook to understand. Underneath the dangling kabob, was alot of different veggies diced to perfection drenched in this delicious red sauce, and mashed potatoes with a fried outter layer.
YUMMMMM!
I gave this dish 6 out of 5 *'s LOL
Desert: Fondant Chocolat Noir - 5EUROS
A rich chocolate cake that had a sponge-like substance with a very small scoop of vanilla icecream on top. With a salted but very sweet caramel drizzled all over! WOW!
I gave this dish 5 out of 5 *'s
After i finished all these different foods, my very kind and super slim waiter named "Francois" recommended a final shot of Cognac 5EUROS to wash it all down and help with digestion. Of coarse i said yes because i wanted to have dinner the french way.
With "BORN TO BE WILD by STEFFANWOLF" playing in the back ground, i sat for a moment and listened while finishing my glass of wine & people watched. I heard bottle corks popping, french people laughing and greeting each other with a single kiss on each cheek while smoking their cigarettes. I had a moment of just complete and utter realization again!
I said to my self under my breathe, " Oh my gosh, IM IN PARIS!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Day #3 in Paris
Its going to be a spectacular day!!! I woke up kinda late, BUT IM ON VACATION...so i can do that. LOL As soon as i wake ( as my roomate in the states would say) IM BRIGHT EYED & BUSHY TAILED in the morning...., i turn on my laptop & hurry to the balcony. I pull aside the curtains with force and open the two sided window so that i can hear Paris. Weather its, doves, sirens, gates closing, or maybe even mopeds going too fast down theses small little streets..... I LOVE IT ALL, and i want to BREATHE IT ALLLLL IN. I usually stand there for about 5 good minutes! Its my morning ritual i suppose.
Today i KNOW i must go see the Eiffel Tower! I cannot wait another day! My french teacher JT Eckoff, kicked me in the butt about it in a nice way! So after checking my Facebook, and writing my Day #2 blog, i got dressed and put on my new Parisian shoes and outfit, and i feel as though i fit right in. Walking with purpose with these new shoes on, I must eat something. As im walking down the street to the METRO STATION, some local Parisians recognized me and waved! BONJOUR MONSIEUR!!! That made me feel very comfortable and accepted. These are the same guys who pointed me in the right direction with patience on my first day here. Well now i feel as though i know the streets around me because ive gotten lost on almost all of them already lol. So knowing exactly where i need to go, i walk straight down underground to the subway. With Ipod in ears, listening to ELVIS Presley- Little less conversation remix, i know i must jump on Line #3, direction Pont de Levallois Becon, & get off on Republique, Switch to LINE #9, direction Pont de Sevres & get off at Trocadero. Very confusing right???? i know!!!! But i think by day 3 ive gotten it pretty well, and to confirm that im going in the right direction, with my METRO MAP in hand, i just ask anyone " Excusez-moi, Parlez-vous anglais?". The french are very willing to help anyone it seems. As long as you have a kind nature about yourself while asking.
AHHHHHHH! IVE MADE IT to Trocadero!!!
This is my stop! I pretty much ran upstairs and up to ground level. Looking around i finally spotted the super famous tower! A chill ran alll the way down to my toes from joy and excitement! I still have to walk half way around this huge round-about to get directly in front of the Eiffel Tower. Of coarse i did with a quickness, jaywalking across like 4 steets lol! But i finally made it and now im standing in front of this MONSTROSITY of a tower! Its so big it seems as though its going to smack me in the face! Id let it! lol :) Its just that Wonderful!!! & i cannot tell a lie, A tear watered in my eye and before it could run down my cheek i wiped it away. I mean who cries anyways? lol After soaking that moment in i wanted to walk around a little. I walked down through the park with little french children laughing and playing on the swings-set, it was so overwhelming.
IM IN PARIS! OMG!!!!!
Just then i saw a familiar face. Thats the dude from Desperate Housewives!!! Holy crap! lol Mike Delfino / James Denton is his real name. There was a photo-shoot going on on the carousel. With a stunning blonde babe by his side, (A GORGEOUS FRENCH MODEL), they were doing a shoot for a magazine. I asked around to figure out what magazine this was for and everyone couldnt say. It was very HUSH HUSH. :) I couldnt take my eyes off the male hairdresser doing the models hair! Oh how i hope to be doing exactly what hes doing one day! I was told i couldnt take picture, ......BUT I DID ANYWAYS!
QUOTE: "Tell them what they wanna hear and do what you want!!!" -Paris Hilton lol
I waited until the shoot was done with to ask him if i could take a photo with him, unlike so many others. lol We introduced ourselves, shoot hands and took a photo. Of coarse its getting dark now so with all this energy and excitement i must get going. I dont wanna be out in Paris alone at dark. So i jaywalked back across the round-about and down into the METRO.
When i arrived at the station i needed to get off at, i had to stop on my walk home and pick up a bottle of wine 16EUROS, to celebrate the emotions i just felt and what i had just experienced! I made it home quickly and got on facebook to share my adventure! So many friends i have!
I LOVE & APPRECIATE all of them! Thank you so much for reading and caring!!!!
ex oh ex oh
<3 Nick
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Day #2 in Paris
After sleeping in til about 1pm Parisian time, i felt very rested. I must have needed it though. lol
Showered and shaped up, i decided to walk the streets in a different direction today. I was hungry so i found a local pizzeria. David was his name, and he was very kind as well and very patient with my struggling french. he warned me about pick-pocketers. He said to watch the short lady ladies lol hahahah My pizza was so authentic and fresh. The pizza was 8EUROS. I walked up on a HUGE church. I hesitated for a moment, but then just said to myself ( GO! Do it Nick!) So i scurried up the 100 stairs to walk up on a french man and his little kid playing with a remote control car. It was wonderful to see, even though its not a big deal, to me it was. I then went inside this CHURCH with my mouth gaping open because of how beautiful it was. PURE SILENCE. You could hear a pin drop. It was magnificent! I took like 50 pictures and a video too. I even said BONJOUR!!!!!! out loud an hear it echo, echo, echo. A tour group came in so i felt it was time to leave. I had my moment with this historical place. When i left the church walking back down those stair i felt refreshed. God has blessed me! Then i continued to walk around in local flower shops, vintage stores, and bakeries.
Now i want to go shopping! lol So after asking a few locals where to go, they told me to go to the Marais & Opera! I must take the subway to get there though. THIS was a scary thought to me, but i knew i must face my fears and do it anyway. As im getting my MetroPass, a lovely beautiful woman helped me get around and showed me how to use the subway. Her name was Alice Darfeuille. Shes a journalist here in Paris. <3 She took the subway with me and helped me get to where i was going. We parted ways and once again i strolled through the streets. Into art galleries and cafes etc. Until i found the big mall! I ended up buying some Sam Marina shoes which are all the rage in Paris. As well as a suit , and a trench-coat, which ive always wanted to get in Paris. lol Then i decided since i didnt know exactly where i was i should head home before it gets to to late. But first i stopped to have a glass of wine 5EUROS before getting back on the subway. However when i finally did get back on subway, another wonderful Parisian named FRAN, guided me and showed me how to use the metro as well. Very Kind and referred me to a salon she goes to that she thinks would allow me to intern/shadow there. <3 i made it home safely with my new favorite pieces of clothing. :) Checked my facebook and went to bed.
Showered and shaped up, i decided to walk the streets in a different direction today. I was hungry so i found a local pizzeria. David was his name, and he was very kind as well and very patient with my struggling french. he warned me about pick-pocketers. He said to watch the short lady ladies lol hahahah My pizza was so authentic and fresh. The pizza was 8EUROS. I walked up on a HUGE church. I hesitated for a moment, but then just said to myself ( GO! Do it Nick!) So i scurried up the 100 stairs to walk up on a french man and his little kid playing with a remote control car. It was wonderful to see, even though its not a big deal, to me it was. I then went inside this CHURCH with my mouth gaping open because of how beautiful it was. PURE SILENCE. You could hear a pin drop. It was magnificent! I took like 50 pictures and a video too. I even said BONJOUR!!!!!! out loud an hear it echo, echo, echo. A tour group came in so i felt it was time to leave. I had my moment with this historical place. When i left the church walking back down those stair i felt refreshed. God has blessed me! Then i continued to walk around in local flower shops, vintage stores, and bakeries.
Now i want to go shopping! lol So after asking a few locals where to go, they told me to go to the Marais & Opera! I must take the subway to get there though. THIS was a scary thought to me, but i knew i must face my fears and do it anyway. As im getting my MetroPass, a lovely beautiful woman helped me get around and showed me how to use the subway. Her name was Alice Darfeuille. Shes a journalist here in Paris. <3 She took the subway with me and helped me get to where i was going. We parted ways and once again i strolled through the streets. Into art galleries and cafes etc. Until i found the big mall! I ended up buying some Sam Marina shoes which are all the rage in Paris. As well as a suit , and a trench-coat, which ive always wanted to get in Paris. lol Then i decided since i didnt know exactly where i was i should head home before it gets to to late. But first i stopped to have a glass of wine 5EUROS before getting back on the subway. However when i finally did get back on subway, another wonderful Parisian named FRAN, guided me and showed me how to use the metro as well. Very Kind and referred me to a salon she goes to that she thinks would allow me to intern/shadow there. <3 i made it home safely with my new favorite pieces of clothing. :) Checked my facebook and went to bed.
Day #1 in Paris
BONJOUR!
$50 gas to get to airport , $60 for extra luggage, then after saying goodbye to my family :( & going through security i had a beer and a shot of "whatever" to calm my nerves at the BUDWEISER bar @JAX which was $14.00 including tip.
First STOP CHICAGO!!! I had a 4 hour layover in chicago once i arrived, so i made my way to a restaurant in the airport. Chicken ceasar salad & water. Then after checking in with all my peeps on facebook, i made my way to the boarding area where i met this lady whos name was linda. She saw me using my macbook and we started talking about it. She was kind. There was a little pub across the way which i needed to charge my laptop so while charging it up I had 2 LONG ISLAND ICED TEAS & a water. Didnt even budge my nerves. :/
NEXT STOP PARIS FRANCE! The plane ride wasnt anything too bad, it actually flew by! ( no pun intended) lol. I had a bottle of wine $7.00. The food wasnt good at all on the plane. They serve you dinner and breakfast. In fact after having dinner on my way to Paris, i skipped the next meal bc it was so funky to me. lol I did however met a lovely woman who made the time go by faster. Her name was Cathy Startt. She sat next to me and was flying to France to meet up with her kids who now live in Paris and teach English & literature to young Parisian children. She also said if in a week or so id liek to have dinner that she would love to cook for me. :) We finally landed in Paris, and she showed me how to get around and then we parted ways.
ITS NOW TIME FOR NICK TO GROW UP! lol So now alone with all my luggage, i made my way to the exchange area to get some EUROS for my DOLLARS. Exchange rate - $1.40 = 1Euro. :(
While standing at exchange area, an Autralian lady was standing behind me. Without asking her to, she told me about my life. She was dead on, and it blew my mind!!! :) She also gave me about 35 EUROS! very very kind and sweet. She was headed back down under! lol
I walked outside, and a beautiful black foreign car pulled up and dropped someone off. The taxi driver then made eye contact with me and with our eyes we conversed. I needed a ride and he needed a customer. His name was Patrick. His driving was erratic but so was everyone elses. We stopped to get gas and gum. He drove me to my apartment ( 25 Rue Moret 75011 Paris ). He said he could pick me up when its time for me to go home. :) Well i still didnt have a key to my apartment, so i waited on Odile the landlord lady. About 20 minutes later she came and opened my "flat" as the parisians call it. I was so happy to have someone who id had some sort of contact with before arriving(we've been emailing). We got the internet working and she showed me around. She brought me fresh towels and sheets to change <3 After checking in with Facebook, i showered and got dressed.
After walking through the streets of my neighborhood, i came up on a very nice looking salon. I walked in and struggling with my french i explained what i wanted to do whil in Paris which is shadow parisian stylist. She was willing to help me. So i sat there for a few hours, soaking up the techniques she was using. Very beautiful she was. The salons name is " Mechesa a' L'argile & Aux Plantes" TRANSLATION = "Bits of Clay & Plants". A few hours later, i started to explore my neighborhood. I found a SUBWAY! 6Euros and change. I went to another salon called Bizzare Bizzare who said i can come back Saturday to watch all day if id like :) Then after going back to my FLAT i realized i needed some groceries. So walked around and found a grocery store 2 blocks over. I bought apples water and cola. lol 8euros. Its getting dark now in Paris so i decided to stay home now. What a day to remember FOREVER!
$50 gas to get to airport , $60 for extra luggage, then after saying goodbye to my family :( & going through security i had a beer and a shot of "whatever" to calm my nerves at the BUDWEISER bar @JAX which was $14.00 including tip.
First STOP CHICAGO!!! I had a 4 hour layover in chicago once i arrived, so i made my way to a restaurant in the airport. Chicken ceasar salad & water. Then after checking in with all my peeps on facebook, i made my way to the boarding area where i met this lady whos name was linda. She saw me using my macbook and we started talking about it. She was kind. There was a little pub across the way which i needed to charge my laptop so while charging it up I had 2 LONG ISLAND ICED TEAS & a water. Didnt even budge my nerves. :/
NEXT STOP PARIS FRANCE! The plane ride wasnt anything too bad, it actually flew by! ( no pun intended) lol. I had a bottle of wine $7.00. The food wasnt good at all on the plane. They serve you dinner and breakfast. In fact after having dinner on my way to Paris, i skipped the next meal bc it was so funky to me. lol I did however met a lovely woman who made the time go by faster. Her name was Cathy Startt. She sat next to me and was flying to France to meet up with her kids who now live in Paris and teach English & literature to young Parisian children. She also said if in a week or so id liek to have dinner that she would love to cook for me. :) We finally landed in Paris, and she showed me how to get around and then we parted ways.
ITS NOW TIME FOR NICK TO GROW UP! lol So now alone with all my luggage, i made my way to the exchange area to get some EUROS for my DOLLARS. Exchange rate - $1.40 = 1Euro. :(
While standing at exchange area, an Autralian lady was standing behind me. Without asking her to, she told me about my life. She was dead on, and it blew my mind!!! :) She also gave me about 35 EUROS! very very kind and sweet. She was headed back down under! lol
I walked outside, and a beautiful black foreign car pulled up and dropped someone off. The taxi driver then made eye contact with me and with our eyes we conversed. I needed a ride and he needed a customer. His name was Patrick. His driving was erratic but so was everyone elses. We stopped to get gas and gum. He drove me to my apartment ( 25 Rue Moret 75011 Paris ). He said he could pick me up when its time for me to go home. :) Well i still didnt have a key to my apartment, so i waited on Odile the landlord lady. About 20 minutes later she came and opened my "flat" as the parisians call it. I was so happy to have someone who id had some sort of contact with before arriving(we've been emailing). We got the internet working and she showed me around. She brought me fresh towels and sheets to change <3 After checking in with Facebook, i showered and got dressed.
After walking through the streets of my neighborhood, i came up on a very nice looking salon. I walked in and struggling with my french i explained what i wanted to do whil in Paris which is shadow parisian stylist. She was willing to help me. So i sat there for a few hours, soaking up the techniques she was using. Very beautiful she was. The salons name is " Mechesa a' L'argile & Aux Plantes" TRANSLATION = "Bits of Clay & Plants". A few hours later, i started to explore my neighborhood. I found a SUBWAY! 6Euros and change. I went to another salon called Bizzare Bizzare who said i can come back Saturday to watch all day if id like :) Then after going back to my FLAT i realized i needed some groceries. So walked around and found a grocery store 2 blocks over. I bought apples water and cola. lol 8euros. Its getting dark now in Paris so i decided to stay home now. What a day to remember FOREVER!
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