Just an update on my busy life. I have been working a lot (with commute 9am to 7pm) and we have to write a long report due at the end of the semester about our experiences/the sector of our internship.
However, I successfully have booked my hostel for Strasbourg, hostel for Prague, housing for New York City this summer (actually inside the New Yorker Hotel in the Garment District), and an apartment for this fall at BU! All that is left to confirm is the bungalow for Greece that I, and 4 other friends, will share on the waterfront :)
On top of that, it's been amazingly sunny every day in Paris this week and will continue to climb in temperature (70s this weekend!) so needless to say, I don't have much to complain about - except that it's all going by too fast!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Girl Talk
Leslie and me on the metro on the way to the concert.
On stage!
Monday night was the Girl Talk concert in Paris. Girl Talk is a DJ from the US who basically mixes popular music and has many fans back home and does tours throughout college campuses. However, he is less known in Paris so my friends Jihane, Alice, Leslie, Alissa and I took advantage and went to La Maroquinerie in the 11th district of Paris (a concert hall in the arrondisement to go to live concerts).
The crowd was basically all Americans and since he isn't that well known, not many people were there early so we got to stand in front row. When the concert started, he let those in the front come on stage with him, so we climbed up and enjoyed the show by his side! Luckily the show was over a little after 12am and we all caught the metro home and got in bed not too late for another day at work!
Printemps du Cinema
So I already told you about macaroon day to ring in springtime in Paris. I guess the French love Spring because all these sales have started to celebrate it AND last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was Printemps du Cinema = all movies in all cinemas are only 3.50 euros!
Since Sunday I was with my friends exploring the city and Monday was the Girl Talk concert, Tuesday was my only chance to take advantage of it. Therefore after work and a meeting at BU I ran back home to check movies times. I went to see LOL, a great french film about the relationship between a teenage girl and her mother. I then ran to the metro stop, took the metro to the edge of the city to the only cinema showing a movie at 10pm: Harvey Milk.
All my running around and staying up late was worth it because I got the chance to see two great movies for the price of one! If only the US adopted this tradition...
Since Sunday I was with my friends exploring the city and Monday was the Girl Talk concert, Tuesday was my only chance to take advantage of it. Therefore after work and a meeting at BU I ran back home to check movies times. I went to see LOL, a great french film about the relationship between a teenage girl and her mother. I then ran to the metro stop, took the metro to the edge of the city to the only cinema showing a movie at 10pm: Harvey Milk.
All my running around and staying up late was worth it because I got the chance to see two great movies for the price of one! If only the US adopted this tradition...
Lebanese Dinner
Jihane and Chloe
Leslie and my large "fish special" = 7 whole fish and multiple fried anchovies...
Last weekend was the last one in a long time that all my friends in Paris and I would be together because of trips and/or work commitments. Therefore we decided to go out to dinner at a Lebanese restaurant Feyrouz by Leslie and Alice's homestay. It was always packed so we figure it would be worth trying.
Leslie and I were in the mood for some fish, so the waiter recommended we share the "special"...turns out they bring out this gigantic platter (seen above). We could help but laugh and what we had got ourselves into. We could not finish it all but at least we learned our lesson!
At the end of the meal we were all stuffed but the waiter brings out a plate filled with a variety of desserts - including 5 varieties of baklavah (my favorite!). On top of that, it was complementary, so naturally we couldn't resist. By the end of our meal we were too full to go out so we called it a night and watched a movie Leslie and Alices around the corner.
In the Tour Eiffel
Alice and me at the very top
They had little indicators of how far different cities around the world were from the Eiffel Tower.
Posing in front of the tower by the Museum of Man near Trocadero.
Leslie and I decided to get to to top of the tower by walking - like I did the 1st time I ever was in Paris because the line was much shorter. Unfortunately you can only get to the 2nd level that way, then take an elevator. Up at the top we met up with our friends Alice and Alyssa. After a 2 hours of walking up it, taking pictures and enjoying the view, we left and walked around the area in the 16th near Trocadero.
On Top of the Tower
Northwest view of the Seine
West view of the 16th
Southwest view of the Seine
Point Bir Hakeim leading into the 16th/my neighborhood!
Last Sunday my friends and I wanted to explore Paris but being Sunday that didn't leave us many options. Therefore we decided to go to the Eiffel Tower since we had no been up it since we arrived. It was a nice day but unfortunately a little cloudy so our pictures of far objects didn't really turn out.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Outlet Shopping
Last Saturday BU took us to this outlet mall about 45min outside of Paris - La Vallée Village. Google the name to see all the great brands they offer (i.e. D&G, Jimmy Choo, Antik Batik, Longchamp, Celine, etc).
I didn't take any picture because I had to use all my time to focus on shopping - not that I bought much, and by much I mean one thing - but taking in the deals was good enough. It's structured like your typical american outdoor outlet center, but this one is also connected to a typical mall with cheaper brands like Zara, Bershka, and H&M.
It's part of a tourist village concept near Disney Paris that gets over 50 percent of their clients from etrangers - a.k.a foreigners. They only accept reputable brands that will be able to sustain sales throughout the entire year.
It's also one of the VERY few areas that is allowed by the government to stay open on Sunday (as I have mentioned before, Paris is dead on Sundays since it's a government mandate to rest that day). To obtain that permit you have to somehow show that it's crucial for your business/clients to stay open and that you will rest another day of the week. Many bakeries do this and then close on Mondays so they can catch the after church crowd on Sundays.
I didn't take any picture because I had to use all my time to focus on shopping - not that I bought much, and by much I mean one thing - but taking in the deals was good enough. It's structured like your typical american outdoor outlet center, but this one is also connected to a typical mall with cheaper brands like Zara, Bershka, and H&M.
It's part of a tourist village concept near Disney Paris that gets over 50 percent of their clients from etrangers - a.k.a foreigners. They only accept reputable brands that will be able to sustain sales throughout the entire year.
It's also one of the VERY few areas that is allowed by the government to stay open on Sunday (as I have mentioned before, Paris is dead on Sundays since it's a government mandate to rest that day). To obtain that permit you have to somehow show that it's crucial for your business/clients to stay open and that you will rest another day of the week. Many bakeries do this and then close on Mondays so they can catch the after church crowd on Sundays.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Metro, Boulot, Dodo
So I just went through my 1st week at my internship and it was good, but very busy (hence I haven't gotten then time to really write or spend time around Paris).
I have gotten consumed by the Parisian professional moto "metro, boulot, dodo" which means you are always on the metro, going to your boulot (work) and just have time for dodo (sleep). After work I had meetings, dinners and errands to run so the earliest I would get home was 8:30pm.
On Thursday there was a massive strike in Paris but luckily my metro line wasn't affected and I got to work just fine. In all of France they estimated over 2 million workers went on strike and in just one manifistation at Republique there were over 80,000 people. This jeudi noir or "Black Thursday" was the biggest one in a while in terms of participants.
Overall, with this internship and strikes I feel that I am truly becoming part of the Parisian worklife!
I have gotten consumed by the Parisian professional moto "metro, boulot, dodo" which means you are always on the metro, going to your boulot (work) and just have time for dodo (sleep). After work I had meetings, dinners and errands to run so the earliest I would get home was 8:30pm.
On Thursday there was a massive strike in Paris but luckily my metro line wasn't affected and I got to work just fine. In all of France they estimated over 2 million workers went on strike and in just one manifistation at Republique there were over 80,000 people. This jeudi noir or "Black Thursday" was the biggest one in a while in terms of participants.
Overall, with this internship and strikes I feel that I am truly becoming part of the Parisian worklife!
Jour du Macaron Chez Pierre Herme
Me waiting in the long line in front on Pierre Herme in the 6th.
On Friday it was macaroon day at THE gourmet shops all over Paris. Jihane and I went right after work and rushed because they were closing at 7 (and we didn't get there until 6:40 and there was a long line). They handed us a menu of all their flavors and we got to choose 3...for free! I got rose flower, coffee and lemon - the last was my favorite. This event is done to celebrate spring and also as a charity fund raiser so everyone is encouraged to make a donation in exchange for their gourmet macaroons, mmmm.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
1st Day
So on Monday was my 1st day at Quartier General. I really like all the people that work there - there are a total of around 9 people working there (including me and 2 interns). One of the interns, Jessica, is super nice and we had lunch together. She's actually ending her internship next week because she has to go back to fashion design and business school BUT she's going to be in NYC this summer as well so I hope to meet up with her there.
The other intern, Cleo, will stay with me the whole time, but I didn't get to meet her much because she was busy with tasks all day yesterday and today. I've been getting to know all the brands that we carry really well and I even get to try on some on the clothes to make sure the sizes are running accurately since it just so happens that all the sample sizes are my size...not a bad time at work!
I also booked a trip today with my friend Leslie to Greece - Heraklion, Crete to be more exact - for right after the internship is over in May! We're waiting to book our waterfront hotel to see if our two friends will join, but at least its a done deal for us. It was only 200 euros roudtrip so I couldn't resist the mediterranean island city. It will be a great last hurrah before coming back to the states!
The other intern, Cleo, will stay with me the whole time, but I didn't get to meet her much because she was busy with tasks all day yesterday and today. I've been getting to know all the brands that we carry really well and I even get to try on some on the clothes to make sure the sizes are running accurately since it just so happens that all the sample sizes are my size...not a bad time at work!
I also booked a trip today with my friend Leslie to Greece - Heraklion, Crete to be more exact - for right after the internship is over in May! We're waiting to book our waterfront hotel to see if our two friends will join, but at least its a done deal for us. It was only 200 euros roudtrip so I couldn't resist the mediterranean island city. It will be a great last hurrah before coming back to the states!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Morocco Review
So as you can tell from my many posts and pictures Morocco has a lot of things to see and do. Overall Jihane's family was so nice and made me delicious food. Everyone gathers around a big plate and digs in using their bread and hands as utensils. There are always multiple courses and the meal ends with a large bowl of juicy and sweet fruit.
Casablanca isn't much of a touristy city and you can really cover all the toursits spots (like the mosque) in less than a day. Rabat was very nice and well maintained since it's the capital. There are a lot of government building and it's in the process of building a nice resort and tourist area on the waterfront. I would recommend visiting there at least for 2 days so you get it all in (but it's not much of a going out and night time entertainment city).
Finally Marrakech was my favorite. With the burnt orange/red buildings, the nice places to eat dinner or listen to live music and the large marketplace, there really is a lot to do. They've done a great job of making it touristy enough without ruining the authentic culture - just make sure you don't take any price at face value. Marrakech also has a lot of nice surrounding places so you can rent a car and visit if you are there for a long time and want to explore.
Just as a side note, I don't always post every single picture I take. So make sure you click on the slideshow album on the right of the page and that will direct you to the entire album of pictures I have taken!
Casablanca isn't much of a touristy city and you can really cover all the toursits spots (like the mosque) in less than a day. Rabat was very nice and well maintained since it's the capital. There are a lot of government building and it's in the process of building a nice resort and tourist area on the waterfront. I would recommend visiting there at least for 2 days so you get it all in (but it's not much of a going out and night time entertainment city).
Finally Marrakech was my favorite. With the burnt orange/red buildings, the nice places to eat dinner or listen to live music and the large marketplace, there really is a lot to do. They've done a great job of making it touristy enough without ruining the authentic culture - just make sure you don't take any price at face value. Marrakech also has a lot of nice surrounding places so you can rent a car and visit if you are there for a long time and want to explore.
Just as a side note, I don't always post every single picture I take. So make sure you click on the slideshow album on the right of the page and that will direct you to the entire album of pictures I have taken!
Nightime Entertainment
Dinner at Le Blokk near Le Palmerai Resort. It's a lounge with live music and typical Moroccan cuisine.
Belly dancer at Palais Jadmahal - music lounge/bar near the main hotel district in Marrakech.
At Comptoir also near the hotel district with Jihane, her cousin and her cousin's girlfriend.
Live entertainment at Comptoir - this woman is balancing a tray of candles while dancing.
Marrakech Countryside
Small yellow wild flowers flood the fields outside of Marrakech and by the train to Casablanca.
Inside the resort get-away where Jihane's cousin and girlfriend work.
View from one of the resort villas. The grounds are filled with flowers ready to bloom (we would have to come back in April to see them). There is a pool in the far right with white leather lounge chairs.
You can see the snowy mountains the back (somewhat covered by fog) that are about a 1 hour driving distance away.
Place Jemaa el-Fna
The plaza gets more lively at night with street performers and tourists. You can get fresh fruit, food and artisan work for good prices. It's a little tiring because everything requires you to join the bargaining game. However, 4 glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice for 3 dirhams TOTAL (about 30 cents) is quite the good deal not needing any negotiations : )
Snake charmers (cobra in the front, another snake in the corner and one around my neck).
It was a little one so not indimidating at all.
Jihane did not want to do it but she built up the courage to take at least one picture.
More Majorelle
Turtles with their babies on their backs :)
On the small patio overlooking the pond with Jihane and her cousin.
Yves Saint Laurent's ashes are scattered throughout the garden.
Posing in front of the main fountain outside of the Majorelle house.
Majorelle Gardens
Blue paint and simple architecture define the garden grounds.
Jihane under a large purple bugambilia plant that creates a shaded kiosk.
More blooming bugambilias.
Small pond with fish, lily pads and turtles.
Marrakech Hosts
Jihane's cousin with his french girlfriend showed us around the city since they are living there for the semester.
Sitting on an open terrace waiting for our freshly squeezed juices and escaping the hot sun for a moment.
Palmerai Golf Palace and Resort right outside the city.
Walking through the resort grounds.
Arriving in Marrakech
At the brand new train station - 10:25 am and already 75 degrees!
Riad Yasmine in the Medina (view from the rooptop terrace).
All buildings in Marrakech are required by law to be a burnt orange/peach/brick color. It's done to celebrate the foundation of Morocco when they could only build houses from dirt - which in Marrakech is that color.
Riad Yasmine by night.
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