French people running and other news

French people running

Most French people I see running are wearing normal running gear. There is a significant proportion, however, that wears clothing not at all suited to athletic activity. Some of my favorite sightings:

• Man wearing striped collared shirt with sweater over, running shorts, sneakers.
• Woman with hair down, wearing leather jacket, running pants, sneakers.
• Old man wearing long overcoat, bowler hat, sweatpants, sneakers.
• Woman wearing furry vest over sweater, sweatpants, sneakers.

Mind you, they are running. I don’t just see them ambling down the street, they’re running (slowly) in Bois de Boulogne. I couldn’t make this stuff up.

Other News

I forgot to say that I went to the Marais on Sunday to meet and have lunch with Michael’s sister who was in town from Liverpool. JW also came. We wanted to go to L’As de Falafel, this famous falafel place in the Marais on rue des Rosiers, but when we got there the entire street was filled with people waiting to order. We decided to go somewhere else, and ended up at the café we went to after the IRCAM concert. We saw the nice waitress we had had, although she didn’t serve us. I got a cheeseburger but I wish I had ordered the full brunch since I was still ravenous after I finished.

In fact, I have determined that I eat approximately 3x the average French woman, and possibly 2x the average French man. My host mother makes plenty of food—if I ate normally. I think I could eat all of the food that is prepared every night.

On Wednesday, I met up with Emilie again. We went to Sainte-Chappelle, a really famous and beautiful church on Ile de la Cité. The stained glass windows were spectacular that covered the walls, all the way to the soaring gothic arched ceiling. I’ve included some pictures. Emilie took some too; photography is one of her hobbies. We got crepes near l’Hôtel de Ville and she gave me a book by her favorite author! I’m still amazed by her thoughtfulness.

Rose window

Taken by Emilie

Wednesday night Mark’s class went to his house for snacks and experimental French cinema. We watched Un Chien Andalou by Luis Bunuel and Salvatore Dali. It was very strange. We also watched music videos by Michel Gondry, including “The Hardest Button to Button” by the White Stripes, and a Chemical Brothers video. I pigged out on junk food, (it was “dinner”), and then a few of us went back to Jen’s house for a sleep over. Total middle school throwback.

Today I took a long nap after getting back from Jen’s. When I finally got moving, I went to Montmartre and did a self-guided walking tour I looked up in my guidebook. It was a pleasant afternoon, although I forgot my gloves and my hands were very cold as a result.

View of Paris from the steps of the Sacre Coeur

Tonight we’re going to the Lido Cabaret! Roberto, one of the program coordinators, has an in and got us discounted tickets. I can’t wait and will certainly report back.

This weekend will be spent in Amsterdam. Jen, JW, Michael and I have an ambitious itinerary and I hope we will get to see it all!