Parc des Buttes-Chaumont + The old man who wouldn't go away (Sunday)

Yesterday was something else, I tell you.

Again, I couldn't think of anything to do, so after church I just decided to go to this park called le Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It's in the northeast part of the city and is one of the largest green spaces in Paris. H didn't have any plans either, so she joined me. Before heading to the park, however, we stopped to eat lunch at a restaurant that shall not be named. Hmm, how can I explain our experience? This is restaurant is meant more for drinking and taking in the scenery than eating. We shouldn't known better when we saw that the menu was 1/4 food, 3/4 beverages, but H was starving and this was the place that she chose. The service was slow, the waiters and the host just didn't seem to care about the guests, the food was just okay (I've had better croque madame elsewhere), and there was a mixup between what we thought we ordered and what we got that left us feeling like we'd been gypped. Nothing was exactly terrible, but it just wasn't a pleasant experience overall, plus it's a tourist trap. No joke, the only good thing about this restaurant is the location (right off of l'avene des Champs-Élysées) and the ice cream that H ordered.

After leaving that restaurant and vowing never to go back, we hopped on our first bus to get to the park. H managed to grab a seat next to an old man who happened to be American too. They struck up a conversation and I couldn't hear (read: wasn't interested in) what they were talking about, but H kept laughing so she must've been enjoying herself. We got off that bus to wait for the next one, and H was telling me just how nice and funny said old man was. And he happened to be from Michigan too. I didn't really care; I was just focused on getting to our destination.

So we get on the next bus and pass by a few stops, and then that old man suddenly reappears, boarding our bus. And he couldn't just keep it moving either. He spotted H, sat in the same seat she was occupying, and picked up where he left off as if they'd never stopped conversing in the first place. Now here's the thing about H. She's kind and openhearted, and she'll talk to anyone. But the bad side to that coin is that she can be somewhat naive, and in my opinion she thinks she has better judgement when it comes to people than she really does. So while she's taking candy from him and giving him her phone number and divulging information about herself, I sat across the aisle stewing and pretending he wasn't there. What is this old man doing here again? Was he waiting for us or something? You mean to tell me this man just happened to get on the same bus we were on, again? Nuh-uh. Deela was officially suspicious and annoyed.

When we were nearing our stop, the old man called out to me, "Hey Danielle," (H had told him my name, which I didn't appreciate), "You can come too. That way I don't have to choose." I just nodded, faked a laugh, and turned away quickly. Is that supposed to be funny? And is H seriously making plans to hang out with this man later? That's what I'd thought. But then we hopped off the bus, and I turn around to see that the old man had gotten off too. H had invited him to come to the park with us! Whatintheworld?!?

And it got worse. Le Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to in my life. It's lush, it's green, and enormous doesn't even cover how expansive this park is. It's got hills, creeks, a lake, trails, bridges, restaurants, an observatory overlooking the city, waterfalls, benches and grass abundant. And it's perfect for almost anyone. Runners, dog walkers, nature lovers, sunbathers, musicians, bored people, folks who just want to chill and not do anything for a while, you name it. This park is magnificent. So H and I were taking everything in and snapping pictures, but then the old man was critiquing the way we took our pictures, like angle your camera like this, get this effect, do this, do that. And I'm just like, Man, who do you think you are? You're not even supposed to be here. You mean to tell me this old man has nothing better to do than spend his evening following two twentysomethings around? Nuh-uh. I was beyond done.

I was so frustrated by his voice and his presence that I couldn't focus on enjoying the park. So eventually I just wandered away without them noticing. But I was so bothered by the experience and focused on not running into them again that I was ready to leave. While wandering I got to see a good majority of the park, but I kept going out of frustration more than anything.

Eventually H was able to get rid of the old man and we met up at another bus stop to head back to our respective neighborhoods. While waiting she told me about this old man's story. Apparently he was a professional magazine photographer for 40 years, he's been through a lot in his life, and he was basically just bored and lonely and wanted someone to talk to. That's why he tagged along and kept close to H. I felt a little bad about how cold I'd been to him after hearing that, but only slightly. H and I have different personalities and take very different approaches to strangers, and we discussed this. If I don't know you or haven't warmed up to you yet, then you need to keep a respectful distance. I might keep up a conversation with you, but I won't abide by you invading my space, disrupting my plans, or inviting yourself into my life. I. don't. know. you. That's my policy when it comes to strangers. And I'm glad that when I explained this to H, she understood why I'd been uncomfortable. An evening at the park kinda spoiled for me, but no bad blood between me and H, so all is well.

Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - JUNE
 
Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - MAY

Don't Be Afraid to Ask.

I saw this on Facebook a while ago but forgot to share it. Had to spend a few minutes searching, but I finally found it! This is something I have a lot of trouble with, because I've gotten too used to envisioning the world as cold and assuming that people will always say no.

Post by Humans of New York.

Les Champs-Élysées

Currently got a splitting headache and can't focus, so I'm keeping this short. I couldn't think of what to do today, so I:

Walked L'Avenue des Champs-Élysées from one end to the other. Went up one side of the street and passed through an underground tunnel to reach l'Arc de Triomphe (in Place Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile). Then went down the other side of the street to visit l'Obélisk and La Fontaine des Fleuves (in Place de la Concorde).




Bought four macaroons in different flavors at Ladurée: peach, lemon, salted caramel, and chocolate. The peach one had the most interesting flavor, while I enjoyed the salted caramel one the most. Thanks to my American and Swedish friends who recommended this place, even though they didn't mention how expensive it would be (nearly 8 euros for what are basically four tiny, fancy, trendy, supposedly "cute", high-quality cookies).












Went to an old, three-film cinema to watch an Indian crime drama/psychological thriller/social exposé (Ugly, with French subtitles) that I didn't quite understand. Left frustrated and confused.

Ate at Hippopotamus, a French steak and burger restaurant. Service was kinda slow and the food was just okay, but I had the most handsome young brotha as my waiter! Anyway, that makes three French franchises I've happened to try so far, the others being Tablapizza and Pomme de Pain.




Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - JUNE
 Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - MAY

Daddy Issues

For the past six months I've been struggling to accept this same painful truth about my dad and the things that I never got from him. Except for the "be a better daughter" part. As far as I'm concerned I'm the best kid he could've asked for, whether he realizes it or not.

Post by Humans of New York.

Happa Teï + Rue Sainte-Anne

My mom shouldn't read this. Especially not if she remembers this...

Today marked the end of the first week of my internship, and I figured what better way to celebrate than going somewhere new and eating some bomb food?

So after work I headed to Rue Sainte-Anne, which isn't too far from the famous Opéra. As you know I went to Chinatown a couple weeks ago, and after doing some research I found out there's a sort of "Little Japan" in Paris too. That would be Rue Sainte-Anne and its surrounding streets. This is where you go to eat what's purportedly the best Japanese food in Paris. But there you'll also find other cuisines (Korean, Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese), along with bubble tea shops, Japanese and Korean grocery stores, and at least one karaoke joint. My destination this evening was a restaurant called Happa Teï, known for its Osaka-style menu and specialties: takoyaki and okonomiyaki!

 The friends that I invited weren't able to go with me, so I went by myself. Take-out and the kitchen are on the first floor (you can actually see the chefs frying takoyaki through the front window!). The actual restaurant, a cozy space, is on the second floor. I ordered three pieces of takoyaki and one serving of okonomiyaki in their standard versions, with a glass of Calpis to drink. It was all just too scrumptious for words! Of course nothing beats the real thing in the real location, but Happa Teï gets pretty close! It took me back to being in Japan last year, for real. Also, the staff is friendly, the service is fast, and the decor (think red) is lively. I definitely approve!

From Happa Teï I walked up and down Rue Sainte-Anne to see what else the neighborhood offers, popping into a shop here and there. Most of the establishments are food-based, though, and since I was full and didn't feel like spending any more money, I didn't buy anything. After getting a good first look at places that I can check out later on, I headed "home".


Props to me for taking myself out to dinner, and props to Happa Teï for the food and nostalgia!

 Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - JUNE
 
 Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - MAY

"Trop sérieuse"

A couple times this week a co-worker (more like a superior, you could say) has pointed out to me that I'm too serious.

While at the press conference on Wednesday, said superior named V noticed me standing around looking aloof and said, "The other day we [she, my boss, and another co-worker] were talking and we all had the impression that you seem really shy for some reason. But there's really no need for you to be shy with us. So don't be so shy, ok?"

Then this morning I arrived at the office and since I had a task left over from yesterday, I sat down at a computer and got right to work. The other interns were working too, but they were also having a lively chat about this and that. V noticed that I was focused on my work and wasn't involved in the conversation, and she jokingly remarked, "Danielle, she's too serious! She doesn't talk, she comes in and just gets right to work, etc."

Believe it or not, these exchanges at work are two of a number of reminders that I've received in the past week or so about me being too serious. One evening last week R-M arrived at the apartment and came to  greet me in my room while I was busy writing something. We were just talking casually about how each other's day went, when she suddenly sat on my bed and started telling me about how I'm a good person, how whether or not people love themselves is what matters most, and  how I'm too young to be staying in as much has I do, working so hard, and taking assignments and such so seriously.

I kind of feel bad when people feel the need to say things like this to me, because it's not my intention to be cold or distant with them. It's just my personality. I am shy, and I am a serious person. I can't help it. Sorry. But it's funny because while this is a personal issue of mine, I'm learning that it might also be an American thing. Last night I was reading the "parents and children" section of Évidences invisibles, and basically Carroll was saying that while French people tend to experience much stricter and more structured upbringings, they are given space to embrace their freedom and do what they want as adolescents and young adults. In the American case, people tend to have more freedom to play and explore as children, while later on they face a certain pressure to shape up and make something of themselves as they enter adulthood. As a result, French twentysomethings often remark that their American counterparts are "too serious" (trop sérieux). Isn't that something?

Anywho. My point in all this is to say that while it's uncomfortable to have my character flaws being repeatedly thrown in my face, I really do appreciate having kind people around me encouraging me to lighten up and loosen up. As you might have already guessed, "relax" isn't a word I use often, in speech or in practice. I can only be myself, but I'll try to take R-M and V's advice.

Solidays 2014 press conference (Wednesday)

This is a bit overdue. I hadn't been in a writing mood this week, so please excuse the delay.

On Wednesday morning, instead of heading to the office as usual all of us interns headed to a press conference for Solidays. This an annual festival put on by Solidarité Sida, an organization that aims to raise funds for AIDS treatment and research, expand people's understanding about the disease, and challenge the stigma and oppression that many activists and infected people face. The festival serves all of these purposes at once by bringing in artists from all of the world to perform and attract people to the cause. It draws more than 150,000 spectators over a 3-day period every year. Solidays 2014 (June 28-30) honors the memory and example of Nelson Mandela while carrying the slogan, "The fight must go on."  This is all just basic information that I gathered from online and what was said at the press conference. For more details, check out the Solidays website.

We stood along a wall watching the press conference, which lasted about an hour and a half. Afterward everything moved outside to the garden where the organizers of the event posed for pictures with one of this year's big names, French band Shaka Ponk. Following that there were more interviews and photos in various spots in the venue, along with mingling over finger food and alcohol. Three artists from La Métisse will be performing at Solidays, so my fellow interns and I were there to get our association's name out there and hand out copies of La Métisse's 2013-14 compilation CD. But we didn't end up handing out too many and mostly just walked around checking out what was going on and tasting the finger food. I tried almost everything even though I had no idea what I was eating, and most of it didn't disappoint. All in all it was a great experience for me (first press conference ever, woo!), and a great excuse to spend the first half of the day out of the office for all of us.

 Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - JUNE

 Bread and Butter [Paris] photos - MAY