Natural Hair Meet Up + MCJP

Today was my first day walking around Paris by myself. First stop: Curls and Locks Love natural hair meetup!

Curls and Locks Love in Paris is part of International Natural Hair Meetup Day (INHMD), with meetups also being held in the U.S., Japan, Grenada, Holland, and Canada. As I've mentioned before, the Paris event was taking place at my future workplace, so this was an opportunity for me not only to meet Parisian naturals, but also to figure out how to get to La Métisse. I walked there but arrived to early, so I just kept walking until it was time. From the time I left the apartment I was walking/exploring for an hour total.

Raysha Brown

The event was MC'd by Raysha Brown, a popular French natural hair guru. The program consisted of hairstyling demonstrations on locked and curly hair, discussions about "Natural Hair Problems" and caring for dreadlocks, and the showing of a documentary report that Raysha did. The report consisted of interviews with six naturals. There were five women and one man,  two locked and the rest not, all of whom were French (except for one woman from Amsterdam who spoke English). They each talked about their experiences going natural and their opinions of the natural hair movement. I learned quite a lot from this documentary. For example, while in the States we often use the term "going natural", French/European naturals often say "returning to natural" since we were all born natural in the first place. Overall the event advocated trying new things, avoiding excess and hair drama, patiently taking the time to find out what works for you, and sharing what you've learned with others.

At the end they had a mixer with hors d'oeuvres where you could mingle and buy products. I didn't really talk to anyone because I'm shy and didn't know what to say, and I didn't buy anything because I'm cheap. So I mostly just watched people and snapped pictures. Still, it was nice observing how beautiful, convivial, good humored, and relaxed all the women were. After the mixer there was a random drawing for prizes, and I won CurlFormers! Now... someone teach me how to use CurlFormers!

Another highlight of the day was that I got to meet my boss in person today. I also met a female intern named D who'd adminstered my interview along with him two weeks ago. She kindly showed me around  La Métisse. She's really nice and I was looking forward to working with her, but it looks like she finishes her internship when I begin mine. Darn timing. After collecting my INHMD goodie bag I walked back to the apartment to get more familiar with the area.When I start at La Métisse I'll probably commute by metro, but still it's good that I know the way on foot now.

After dinner I headed to my second stop: La Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris (MCJP). This and all other museums in Paris were open late and had free entry since tonight was La Nuit Européenne des Musées. Now I know, your first thought might be Go to the Louvre! But la Nuit de Musées is known for some seriously long lines no matter where you go. And the Louvre would've been bananas, in a bad way. So I went to MCJP instead, which I was pleased to find is just down the street from the Eiffel Tower. It took me over an hour to get there though because I got lost. I decided to take the bus because my program's staff recommended it as a good way to see Paris when not in a hurry. But then I messed myself up and got off at the wrong stop, meandered for a while, then figured it out and got back on track.

I waited my turn in line for about 45 minutes and was a little disappointed. At first I thought we would be able to explore the building (that's why I'd wanted to go). But for this special night visitors were only allowed to go to a special exhibit about Evangelion and Japanese swords (Evangelion et les sabres japonais). It was just ok. I'm not very interested in either subject, plus it was pretty small. I guess you get what you pay for. But! I will say that the exhibit tied its themes together well. Tradition and modernity. Technology and art. The process of creation. One subject influencing the other. And at least now I know where the building is in case I want to go back later. It was dark when I left (first time being out in Paris at night, woo!) so I took the metro back. I got a nice view of the lit-up Eiffel Tower as we rolled away.


Bread and Butter [Paris] photos

Dinner with My Host Family (Friday pt. 2)

Our last stop of the walking tour was le Moulin Rouge, and then we all went our separate ways. I was going to take the metro back, but then one of the staff pointed out to me that I live just down the street from le Moulin Rouge. I'd had no idea! So I walked.

My plan was to chill for a couple of hours and then go walk around a bit. But my feet were hurting and it felt so good to have escaped the hustle and bustle outside that I just decided to stay in. Once a homebody, always a homebody I guess. But I was determined to be somewhat productive at least. I uploaded photos, edited blog posts, did a little research on places I'd like to go in Paris, and planned on what I'll do tomorrow.

After 4 hours or so I decided to watch some TV and I happened upon a show on France Ô called "C koi ta zik?" ("C'est quoi ta musique?"). It's basically like "Name That Song". The host selects two people who are fans of the same artist to battle it out in public, guessing the titles and/or performers of songs that he plays. Whoever wins get to meet said artist. Shortly after that show went off Roland arrived. This was my first time seeing him since Wednesday. He joined me in the TV room and we chatted a bit. What I like about Roland is that he is very wise and understanding. When I first got here and he was showing me around the neighborhood, he said to me, "The best way to learn French is to speak it. You needn't stay in your room all the time but rather interact with us and other French people. Even if you make mistakes, that's ok." Today we talked about cultural differences and he said, "If you feel like you can't understand everything about French culture, don't worry. Getting to understand another culture is difficult for everyone and is almost never complete."

Now I'd planned to wait until 8pm and eat my overpriced packaged sushi for dinner. But then to my surprise, two of R-M and R's longtime friends came to have dinner, and I was invited to join them. So this evening I had my first real dining experience with French people! There were six of us altogether, including M. For the most part I just listened to their conversations and tried to follow the etiquette that they demonstrated. I kind of mentioned this before, but I'm impressed by how kind, good-humored, and open my host family is. They're simply great people. And the food! It was simple but very filling. I especially enjoyed the foie gras and the ratatouille.

Tomorrow I'm off to two exciting events that I'll wait to tell you about until tomorrow night. One of them I've already mentioned in an earlier post. But can you guess what the other one is?

Bread and Butter [Paris] photos

First day of class + a tour of Montmartre (Friday pt. 1)

Since I got up earlier today, I was able to sit and have breakfast with R-M and M before we each headed off. M left first, leaving R-M and I to talk. Well she talked, I mostly listened and tried to interject with comments that sounded coherent and intelligent. R-M told me about her work; about her family history; about how difficult it's been for immigrants to become accepted in France (with economic crises comes heightened racism and xenophobia); about how many African/North African contributions to the French WWII effort still remain unrecognized; about how various immigrant and minority communities in various countries have chosen to seclude themselves away from/outside of the dominant culture for fear of being controlled or destroyed; about how there's a connection between poverty, fatherlessness, and delinquancy and so on. I had to run to get to class on time, but before leaving she recommended that I check out a relatively new yet thought-provoking Belgian artist called Stromae. He's hot stuff in Europe right now.

On to my school for my first day of class. The three of us in my program were joined by two other students who've been studying at the school for a while. One is Korean, the other is Japanese, and both are young women who have been living in Paris for the past two years. Since today was Friday, rather than studying grammar we had a guided discussion about art.

What's interesting about my school's location is that it sits beneath and next to parts of a fashion house called Maison Rabih Kayrouz. I don't know much about this brand or how popular it is. But I'd never been that close to a fashion house before, so it was very exciting to watch its employees coming and going through the courtyard and to catch glimpses of design samples on the second floor. Much of the staff is in their 20s or 30s, and they have an in-house kitchen that cooks restaurant-quality meals on the spot (no need to go out for lunch). I only know all of this because I and my two fellows were sitting in the courtyard watching observing them during their lunch break.

After class we met up with two of my program's staff members who then proceeded to take us on a tour of an area of the city called Montmartre. Montmartre has a history of being very hilly, very artsy, and looking a little more traditional than other parts of Paris. (For the longest time, Montmartre was its own village until Paris annexed it.) This tour proved to be pleasant, as the weather was beautiful and we got to see a number of famous sites and statues. One of said sites is la basilique du Sacré-Cœur. It sits high upon a hill that overlooks the city, so you've got an enormously grand church  in front and a spectacular view of the city behind you.

Click here for part 2!

Bread and Butter [Paris] photos

So Many Firsts!

Today was such a long yet eventful day!

I had to be at the office of the organization that coordinates this whole Paris internship program at 10am. So I got up, got myself together, ate a bit, and headed toward... dundundun... le métro!

I was concerned about being able to find my way, but I was also concerned about being pickpocketed. Before I left the States I did a bad thing and spent too much time reading articles and forums about Parispickpoketspickpocketspickpokets. And the metro is one place where you need to be especially aware. So today as I marched to the nearby station I steeled myself as if I was going to war, like Ain't nobody takin' nutt'n from me today! And no one did. I got on and off the metro a number of times today, and nothing bad happened. Only thing I regret is that this morning I bought un carnet of 10 tickets, only to buy a Carte Navigo Decouverte this afternoon, so I could've saved myself 12 euros by just buying a single ticket this morning. But hey, first time riding the Paris Metro, check.

Anyway, I got to the office on time and sat with two other students for orientation. What I appreciated most from meeting the three staff members in person was learning that none of them is originally from Paris. Even though one of them is French, they each had their own process of adjusting to French/Parisian culture that took some time. That was encouraging to hear. After a couple of hours all six of us (three students and three staff) ate lunch at a nearby patisserie called Mathieu Mandard. I had a salad (salade de chèvre chaud)  and two macaroons (bonbon arlequin et citron), all of which was delicious! First time eating at a French restaurant, check! First time eating macaroons, check!

Something else you might find interesting: demonstrations! We were at the restaurant for about two hours (French people tend not to rush through their meals and pay insufficient attention to the atmosphere as Americans do), and while there we witnessed two protests. One was for taxistes. All of the demonstrators were on motorcycles (motorcycle taxi drivers), but I'm not sure if the term taxiste also refers to taxi cab drivers or not. The other demonstration that followed was by Lutte Ouvrière, whose goal is to advance workers' rights. The one chant of theirs that I could make out was, Dehors! Dehors! Les exploiteurs! ("Out with the exploiters!").

We then returned for the second part of orientation. After that we three students and one of the staff  rode the metro to l'Opéra then walked to the office of a bus tour company called Foxity. Foxity runs double-decker tour buses that you can ride all around the city of Paris, and that's just what we did. I know, it's kind of touristy, but it was actually a great introduction to the city and some of its most famous and popular sites. I must say that it was a little overwhelming, though. Seeing so many famous places that just happen to be there, no longer in books or on the internet but there, right in front of your face. It was so humbling and awe-inspiring. And to think all I did was ride by; I haven't even personally visited these places yet! Paris is so incredibly beautiful and historically rich, yet also modern, and I'm in it. None of that has really registered with me yet. I still feel a little like this isn't real. But I just need time. Overall, the tour helped me get an idea of which places I'd like to visit most. And I got to see the Eiffel Tower from a number of angles! How could you not be happy about that? First time riding a double-decker tour bus, check.

The tour last some two hours, and then we each returned to the metro station at l'Opéra and got on our separate lines to go home. When I returned to the apartment I sat for a few mintues to catch up with R-M and M and watch some Festival de Cannes footage with them. Then I changed into my tennis shoes and left to go to the supermarché up the street and around the corner. The place is called Simply City (get it? Simpli-city?) I only bought a few things, since I have a certain amount of allotted space in the refrigerator and a cabinet shelf. And I thought I was being frugal, but then my receipt came out to 24.20E (about $33.20). You wanna know what did it? Sushi. I saw it and thought, heh, it's store-bought sushi so it must be cheap. Wrong! That alone was 10.85 (about $15). All I know is that sushi better be good. I'll try to pay more attention next time, haha. First time shopping at un supermarché, check.

Tomorrow's my first day of French classes! I have to be up super early tomorrow in order to get there by 8:45am, so I'm out. Bonne nuit!

Bread and Butter [Paris] photos

I'm here!

6:30pm EST to 8:30am CET
8-hour flight. Sat next to a pleasant and funny fellow college student named Lauren. She was off to Italy. I watched Like Father Like Son (Japanese) and Les Profs (French). When not eating, I was in and out of sleep for the rest of the time.

Another guy in my program happened to be on the same flight, so we shared a taxi to our respective host families' homes once we arrived in Paris. I was dropped off first.

I was met by a man named R. He and my "host mother" are not married, but he's here often enough since he splits his time between this place and his own apartment somewhere else in Paris. So I guess you could call him the man of the house, or my "host father", what have you.

This apartment is HUGE. I won't take pictures of all of it, because this isn't my home and I don't want to be disrespectful. But I've taken pictures of my room and the view from the bathroom, so see the link below.

The building we live in is over 250 years old (style Haussman? haussmannien?). It's next to a school, and from the time I arrived I could hear children playing in the courtyard.

10:30ish to 11:15ish
R showed me around the neighborhood and pointed out places that he thought would be useful and/or interesting for me to know. He also told me about spots to be especially careful in. I don't remember everything he said, but I'm sure I'll find my way with time. He even walked me to the closest metro station to see about buying a monthly pass, but we went to the window twice and there was no one there. I'll just go by myself in the morning. He  left to go meet one of his grandchildren, so I had the place to myself for the next 8 and a half hours until my "host mother" arrived. R said to make myself at home.

12:30ish to 9:15pm
Knocked.out.

9:15pm-11:15pm
Woke up to the sound of rustling in the apartment. Heard a knock on my door and it wasn't my "host mother", but her long-time friend M who also lives here. She introduced herself and told me to make myself at home, as R had. She asked me if I'd eaten and I said no, since I was tired and didn't have an appetite. But she knew it'd been a long time, so she took me into the kitchen to fix me up something. Thus, my first meal in France was... microwave ham and cheese crepes, plain yogurt with a teaspon of sugar, a glass of water, and a glass of orange juice. Might not sound glamorous, but it was sooo good!

M sat and talked with me as I ate, and then my "host mother" R-M arrived. She joined us at the table and we all had a nice talk. As R and M had done, she welcomed me and told me to make myself at home and not hesitate to make use of whatever's in the  house.

First impressions:
After being shown around by R, I was relieved yet also overwhelmed. I'll have to navigate this neighborhood and this city, go into shops and restaurants, buy things, talk to people, take care of myself, figure out the metro... all by myself? That's too much! So I got scared and didn't want to venture back outside; I used my fatigue as an excuse to stay in for 9 hours instead of exploring. But now that I've met each of the adults who live here, I feel reassured. They're just so nice! And they've said so many good things to me already. Complimenting me on my French and giving me tips. Telling me that I'll make lots of friends, that I'll find my way around in no time, that I'll enjoy myself since there are so many things to do and see and so many different kinds of people in Paris... No need to worry.

I've been putting "host mother" and "host father" in quotations because as you can see, this is not a traditional nuclear family. But I kind of like it that way. R-M, R, and M are all incredibly warm and kind, so they're here for help, support, and conversation when I need it. But they each also work or have things to do during the day, which means they're not in the apartment all the time. So while I'll need to interact with them and get to know them, I'll also need to be somewhat independent and take care of myself. In short, I think this is the exact refuge/launching pad that I need.

Tomorrow's my first full day in Paris, and I have to tackle the metro to get to a meeting in another part of the city. I hope all goes well. I don't want to take any of this time for granted.


Bread and Butter [Paris] photos

Bread and Butter [Paris]: introduction part 2

I'm not going to lie. Ever since I was accepted into this program I've been very apprehensive about the new experiences and challenges that await me in Paris. But at the same time, things have happened that have proven Ma's age-old wisdom to be true: God always provides. Let me tell you the ways:

• Previously, it was explained to me that I might not get the type of internship that I was envisioning due to availability, competition with French people my age, my skills/interests/experience, etc. I was forewarned that I need to be patient and open to whatever situation I was placed in. But you know what? Turns out I got exactly what I'd wanted. La Métisse is exactly the kind of place I had in mind.
•  I was also told that I might live on the outskirts of Paris, with a single woman, and have to commute 45 minutes each way everyday. Turns out I'll be staying with a middle-aged couple and their live-in friend. And the arrondissement they live in (the 8th) is actually in the city, not in the center but close enough, and borders la Seine. What's more, the arrondissement I'll be working in (the 17th) is right next to the 8th. I'll probably still have a 15-30 minute commute, but it's still shorter than expected.
• Last Monday I got up extra early and spent two hours preparing for my Skype interview with the folks at La Métisse. It lasted all of 5 minutes, literally. 5:09 to be exact, haha. Honestly I think they just wanted to see what I look like, see if I speak French, and check if I know anything about their organization. They asked me a question about myself and I started to tell them, and before I'd said all I wanted to say they were like, "Okay, we'll take you." As usual, I'd been sweating and stressing for nothing.
• The Saturday after I arrive, there's going to be a natural hair meetup in the establishment where I start work in June. A natural. hair. meetup. With beautiful brown-skinned, natural-haired Parisians. At my future place of work. I have, like, no reason not to go!

Good things have happened for me and I haven't even left the States yet. I only pray that this continues.

Bread and Butter [Paris]: introduction part 1

I'm going to Paris, France this summer! Around this time tomorrow I will be on my way.

I know that I've mentioned going to Paris in different posts here and there in the past few months. But since I'm leaving on Tuesday, I've decided to address it directly now so that you'll be clear on what it is that I'm doing. I'll be taking French classes for two weeks, and then starting in June I'll be working as an intern at an organization called Association La Métisse. La Métisse is a non-profit that helps develop and promote local artists, in addition to providing them with the support and resources they need to be successful. I don't know exactly where I come in, but I'll probably be doing administrative tasks and learning about how artist contracts are negotiated. Also, I'll be living with a host family during my stay in Paris.
 
I wish I could tell you that I'm excited about all this, but I'm actually very anxious and dread going. There's just so much more responsibility and expectations this time around. To tell the truth, I've never been more afraid to do something in my life. 

Change and transitions are always difficult for me to handle, so I know it'll be tough for me the first week or so. But whenever times get hard, I feel uncomfortable, I regret going to Paris, or I wonder what I'm doing there, I'm going to try to remember my kindergarten self. Remember how fascinated and inspired I was when, thanks to a little TV cartoon called 'Madeline', I first found out that a place called France exists. Remember how intrigued I was when I learned that that funny-sounding language that the characters in 'Madeline' were speaking was French. I want to remember how and why I was so confident in deciding at the age of 5 or 6, I'm going to learn French and I will go to France one day. More than 15 years have passed since then and I've changed tremendously, but that dream has never wavered. Now is that "one day" that I dreamt about, and no matter how I feel right now, I refuse to do a disservice to my kindergarten self by running away or being too scared to take full advantage of it.

As I did with my trip to Japan last year, I'll be writing almost daily on this blog about my adventures in Paris. I've decided to titled this series "Bread and Butter" as a reference to the well-known prayer that the little Parisian orphan girls in 'Madeline' would say, "We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other." If you can't contact me otherwise, this series will be the best way to keep up with me. Please look forward to it! And please pray for me as I try to get my nerves together.

 Kindergarten dreams really do come true!