I had a little more French exploring to do once I returned to Les Etats-Unis. I learned while studying Daniel Buren, that he had once done a display in the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. His display featured a large suspended poster, classically striped in black &white. It hung from the dome ceiling straight through the center of the museum. The Guggenheim interior is built with spiraling floors around the exterior. The viewer must face away from the open center to view the art. When Daniel Buren’s piece was hung, visitors didn’t know which way to turn to view the art. The vertical stripes played a contrast to the circular floors and when standing perpendicular to the striped piece, it seemed to disappear entirely.
When we visited the Guggenheim, we jumped onto a free tour of the museum. Our guide was a animated high school art history teacher and told us the secrets behind the exterior of the Guggenheim and the featured exhibit. I’d recommend the tour—it’s a little over an hour and you learn a ton about the museum!
mardi 18 mai 2010
Réflexion
I learned a lot from studying abroad; a new language, a new confidence, and a new sense of adventure. I also made a lot of new friends along the way. Sometimes I think it takes leaving your comfort zone and your home to realize what you’ve been missing all along. I pledge to continue exploring new places, meeting new people, and learning about new cultures. It’s more than just pictures or stories; for me, it’s about a new way of seeing the world and appreciating it for all its worth.
Where to next?
Post Paris: Texas Toast for French Toast?
A week after a landed from the 9 hour trip home, I was back on an airplane. This time my destination was in the country—thank goodness—to see Matt in Houston, TX. He was working and I was exploring a new city! We learned in L’Histoire d’Art that the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston housed some famous paintings.
I took the one and only metro line to the Museum district and found the MFA. It’s a two part building which connects by an underground tunnel. It went to meet up with my old friends; Renoir, Cezanne, Monet, Degas, and Picasso. I was most excited to see Andre Derain’s, L’Estaque (The Turning Road). The museum featured Impressionism through Modernism and a special exhibit by John Singer Sargent. He was an American painter that visited the beaches of France for inspiration for his art. I was transported to the beaches of Normandy, Capri, Brittany, and even the “make shift” beach in Paris. (They fill the banks of the Seine with sand to create a summer spot for Parisians and tourists to lounge). Across in the other building was more modern/contemporary art with an entire exhibit of portraits. It was a little over my head so I made my way over to Matt’s office. I rested from the exhausting humidity in a nearby park with sprouting water fountains. After baking in the sun for a bit, I headed to meet Matt and his co-workers and then out to dinner.
Saturday we took a trip to The Woodlands, Matt’s home town…And I attempted to cook some fresh fish that Matt got from someone at work—we had chicken parmesan instead. Sunday I went to my first Astro’s game in Minute Maid Park. I thought that I was their good luck charm for the first few innings, but that wore off soon. I couldn’t—and still can’t—believe that the game is indoors. Baseball is supposed to be played in the hot sunshine with blue skies and green monster seats. It took me all nine inning to get used to the fact that there was a ceiling over the baseball field. Early Monday, I flew back home on a quest to continue to discover more adventures in les Etats-Unis.
I took the one and only metro line to the Museum district and found the MFA. It’s a two part building which connects by an underground tunnel. It went to meet up with my old friends; Renoir, Cezanne, Monet, Degas, and Picasso. I was most excited to see Andre Derain’s, L’Estaque (The Turning Road). The museum featured Impressionism through Modernism and a special exhibit by John Singer Sargent. He was an American painter that visited the beaches of France for inspiration for his art. I was transported to the beaches of Normandy, Capri, Brittany, and even the “make shift” beach in Paris. (They fill the banks of the Seine with sand to create a summer spot for Parisians and tourists to lounge). Across in the other building was more modern/contemporary art with an entire exhibit of portraits. It was a little over my head so I made my way over to Matt’s office. I rested from the exhausting humidity in a nearby park with sprouting water fountains. After baking in the sun for a bit, I headed to meet Matt and his co-workers and then out to dinner.
Saturday we took a trip to The Woodlands, Matt’s home town…And I attempted to cook some fresh fish that Matt got from someone at work—we had chicken parmesan instead. Sunday I went to my first Astro’s game in Minute Maid Park. I thought that I was their good luck charm for the first few innings, but that wore off soon. I couldn’t—and still can’t—believe that the game is indoors. Baseball is supposed to be played in the hot sunshine with blue skies and green monster seats. It took me all nine inning to get used to the fact that there was a ceiling over the baseball field. Early Monday, I flew back home on a quest to continue to discover more adventures in les Etats-Unis.
vendredi 14 mai 2010
American things in Paris
Amongst all of the French things, sights, smells, and language; I was able to sneak in a few tributes to America-
Canada vs. USA: Olympic Hockey Game
For the final Olympic hockey game, my friend and I pushed our way into a famous Canadian bar, The Moose to watch Canada and US battle it out on the ice. It was my
first packed sports bar experience and first taste of hockey since I had left my Terrier boys in Boston. My friend and I were so excited to hear English chants and cheers- until we realized that we were surrounded by Canadian hockey fans! We meet some friendly French fans- rooting for the “OO S A” but I felt more outnumbered than I do as an English-speaker in France! The game was intense, the crowd and a lot of fun-- loud, and the beer was good. Unfortunately Team USA was trying to catch up most of the game and didn’t come out with gold medal, but it was worth being a proud American fan IN a Canadian bar IN France.
St. Patrick's Day
It’s funny when a holiday like, St. Patricks day rolls around and you’re stuck with a cross cultural dilemma. In Boston- it’s an all out Irish Fest. At home it’s a meal of corn beef and cabbage. But what do you do in France? Do I go to Ireland to celebrate? (Oh yes, Ireland. Why not? I’m already in Europe) Or completely ignore it because hardly anyone is French/Irish? No- you do what any American would do in France- find an Irish pub, filled with other Americans and seek out green beer. I ended up somewhere in the middle- packed in BU’s favorite local bar with most of the program, drinking regular beer, and wearing everything green in my wardrobe. It seemed perfectly logical for all the Americans in the bar, but the French bartenders seemed completely confused as to why it was so crowded on a random Wednesday night and why everyone wanted green syrup in their beer.
Cupcakes
In a land of perfect pastries- I thought that it was weird that I was craving cupcakes- all the time! I became obsessed with pretty, yummy, decorated cupcakes. Cupcakes are not an easy dessert to find in Paris and most of the shops are run by American or Canadian pastry chefs- but I was able to stumble across a few:
Berko
23 rue Rambateau 75004 (near Centre Pompideau)
http://www.cupcakesberko.com/
*I had two amazingly, delicious- and American cupcakes: chocolate health bar crunch and chocolate peanut butter m&m. They also sell cheesecake by the slice- if you’re missing New York desserts.
Cupcakes and co.
25 rue dela forge royale 75011 (near Bastille)
http://cupcakesandco.fr/
*I had Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing- a little less cupcake and a little more “tiny” cake, but so moist and decadent.
Cupcakes places are popping up all over Paris now but will they ever be regarded as highly as the croissant?! Probably not.
Canada vs. USA: Olympic Hockey Game
For the final Olympic hockey game, my friend and I pushed our way into a famous Canadian bar, The Moose to watch Canada and US battle it out on the ice. It was my
first packed sports bar experience and first taste of hockey since I had left my Terrier boys in Boston. My friend and I were so excited to hear English chants and cheers- until we realized that we were surrounded by Canadian hockey fans! We meet some friendly French fans- rooting for the “OO S A” but I felt more outnumbered than I do as an English-speaker in France! The game was intense, the crowd and a lot of fun-- loud, and the beer was good. Unfortunately Team USA was trying to catch up most of the game and didn’t come out with gold medal, but it was worth being a proud American fan IN a Canadian bar IN France.St. Patrick's Day
It’s funny when a holiday like, St. Patricks day rolls around and you’re stuck with a cross cultural dilemma. In Boston- it’s an all out Irish Fest. At home it’s a meal of corn beef and cabbage. But what do you do in France? Do I go to Ireland to celebrate? (Oh yes, Ireland. Why not? I’m already in Europe) Or completely ignore it because hardly anyone is French/Irish? No- you do what any American would do in France- find an Irish pub, filled with other Americans and seek out green beer. I ended up somewhere in the middle- packed in BU’s favorite local bar with most of the program, drinking regular beer, and wearing everything green in my wardrobe. It seemed perfectly logical for all the Americans in the bar, but the French bartenders seemed completely confused as to why it was so crowded on a random Wednesday night and why everyone wanted green syrup in their beer.
Cupcakes
In a land of perfect pastries- I thought that it was weird that I was craving cupcakes- all the time! I became obsessed with pretty, yummy, decorated cupcakes. Cupcakes are not an easy dessert to find in Paris and most of the shops are run by American or Canadian pastry chefs- but I was able to stumble across a few:
Berko
23 rue Rambateau 75004 (near Centre Pompideau)
http://www.cupcakesberko.com/
*I had two amazingly, delicious- and American cupcakes: chocolate health bar crunch and chocolate peanut butter m&m. They also sell cheesecake by the slice- if you’re missing New York desserts.
Cupcakes and co.
25 rue dela forge royale 75011 (near Bastille)
http://cupcakesandco.fr/
*I had Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing- a little less cupcake and a little more “tiny” cake, but so moist and decadent.
Cupcakes places are popping up all over Paris now but will they ever be regarded as highly as the croissant?! Probably not.
L'Espagne: Echapper au volcan
Au Revoir Paris! Hola L'Espagne! It's been a long semester of exploring Paris, taking classes, learning a new culture etc...but now its time for vacation! So here I go--on vacation! Me and two friends are heading to the coast of Spain, Barcelona for some warmer weather and Sangria! That is until we get to the airport-- the volcano in Iceland is acting up again and all flights are CANCELLED!...Did you think that would stop us? Not a chance!! We ran to the train station below the airport and got on the first train to the border of France/Spain-- I mean RAN because with tickets in hand, we had approximately 5 minutes to find the train and board. Let the adventure begin!
Spending a Night in Saint Sébastien (France)/San Sebastian(Spain)
Welcome to Barcelona!
Gaudi Walking Tour
Fruit Market
Street Fair in Madrid
Rowing across the lake in Parque del Buen Retiro
Spending a Night in Saint Sébastien (France)/San Sebastian(Spain)
Welcome to Barcelona!
Gaudi Walking Tour
Fruit Market
Street Fair in Madrid
Rowing across the lake in Parque del Buen Retiro
samedi 8 mai 2010
Chocolat: Jean-Charles Rochoux
Although this stop was only minutes after my previous chocolate shop, I felt that it should have it's own post since it is the LAST CHOCOLATIER THAT I WILL VISIT IN PARIS!
Jean-Charles Rochoux has an incredible, edible window display of dozens of chocolate statues. They also had the picture below in the window display but not in the store, which looked insanely good. On a fruit kick- I tried cherry, citron (lemon), raspberry, and honey. They were delicious as they melted in my mouth revealing their fruity bite. Shout out to the honey one, which technically isn't a fruit, but equally as delicious.
Sigh. Adieu mes chocolatiers! Au Revoir Paris! We've shared so many licks, bites, and smiles. Until we meet again- Chocolate, je t'aime.
Jean-Charles Rochoux has an incredible, edible window display of dozens of chocolate statues. They also had the picture below in the window display but not in the store, which looked insanely good. On a fruit kick- I tried cherry, citron (lemon), raspberry, and honey. They were delicious as they melted in my mouth revealing their fruity bite. Shout out to the honey one, which technically isn't a fruit, but equally as delicious.
Sigh. Adieu mes chocolatiers! Au Revoir Paris! We've shared so many licks, bites, and smiles. Until we meet again- Chocolate, je t'aime.
Chocolat: Christian Constant
Two more chocolate shops left and they coincidentally are located on the same street! (37,16 Rue d'Assas) I started at Christain Constant's small shop and sampled four exotic floral chocolates: jasmine, cardamom,Frangipanier, and Youzou. Not that I had any idea what those were, BUT they were recommended by Christian himself so I couldn't say no! I enjoyed them in the courtyard of a nearby Institut Catholic de Paris, which had a beautiful garden and tons of young Parisians.
Yes, my Parisian celeb-siting was a chocolatier!! Other celebrities caught in Paris by BU students; Harrison Ford at the Museum D'Orsay, Stevie Wonder at the phone store, lots of fashionistas, fashion journalists, and magazine editors spotted by my friend studying fashion journalism.
Yes, my Parisian celeb-siting was a chocolatier!! Other celebrities caught in Paris by BU students; Harrison Ford at the Museum D'Orsay, Stevie Wonder at the phone store, lots of fashionistas, fashion journalists, and magazine editors spotted by my friend studying fashion journalism.
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