post Barca

Thanks to papers and school work galore, my post-Barca week totally flew by! That Tuesday, though, I did have the distinct pleasure of welcoming Erin and Allie, two of my friends since freshmen year, as well as two of their sorority sisters, to Paris. Their group of four has been traveling for nearly a month and spent 3 weeks in Europe, and they are now in China! I took them to my favorite, moderately-priced French restaurant—Café Etienne, in the Marais, where the food is great but the service is crap. Very French all in all. Two papers and three days later, I met up with three of them between my afternoon classes, and they treated me to a picnic on the Champs de Mars—the grassy area in front of the Eiffel Tour. It was lovely seeing Erin and Allie and nice to meet their lovely friends.

Last Thursday night was the eve of the birthday of my good friend Andrea, and in celebration, we popped some bubbly in some benches by the Tracedero—an area right across the Seine from the Eiffel Tour with picturesque views of it. The tower sparkles every hour on the hour, which at midnight was a great marker of Andrea’s 21^st. I don’t think life gets any better than Champagne in front of the Tour Eiffel.

The next night, some of my Aussie friends hosted a Great Gatsby party along the Seine, which was a great opportunity for me to bust out some sparkly headbands. Have I properly mentioned my love for the Seine?

Finally, Saturday we continued Andrea’s birthday celebration with a game of beer pong in a park, which later turned into King’s cup in an apartment after we were informed their was no alcohol allowed (I guess there is an open container law in this country…?), after which Andrea and I grabbed some snacks, cider, and then watched a movie at her place. Sunday, Miss Allison Bagg and I met up and picnicked at Monceau, and then watched Good Morning, England (Boat of Rock or something like that in the States…?), which was FANTASTIC. Think: About a Boy + Love, Actually + The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou + Across the Universe + a bit of vulgarity and male bonding + Phillip Seymour Hoffman. If that sounds like your type of movie, GO FOR IT.

Now, I am in total and complete shock as to how little time I have left here, when there is absolutely so much to do and see. My only comfort is knowing that I can always come back.