Paris Lindy Exchange

 This morning was the start of a HUGE flea market or "brocante" as the french say right outside my door. Literally every street near my house is filled with pedestrians and tents of antiques and junk. It's really fun to see what we can find. Aaron found some old french milk bottles; I found a prosthetic arm with a hook attachment. I did find a €5 dress....score. Check out the scale with carpet....sounds gross and I'm sure it's not new so someone else's feet have been all over it, but what a funny idea.

 Later at night was my first lindy exchange. I dressed to the 9's in an outfit that Elaine picked out from my closet. I did have a major wardrobe malfunction. While dancing, the seam under my right arm decided to part ways. So My bra, side, everything, was exposed. Luckily, I found someone with safety pins.

This is me and a guy named Remy (I remember his name because it's like the rat from Ratatouille) and we were making mustaches because the theme is "I mustache you to dance")

It's Spring!

Look at the flowers! Everywhere that sells flowers looks like this right now. I love the colors and spring!

Also, I went out tonight to a dance club literally right next to Moulin Rouge. The line for Moulin Rouge was out of this world annoying, almost enough to make me want to skip it....maybe?

The Phantom's House

 This morning I was all excited to go to school....and when I got there, my teacher was not. Damn! I had an hour and a half to wander....in the middle of Paris. I went to Les Halles, the underground mall. Look what I spotted....McDonalds sells macaroons. Bizarre, no? (I've tried one now and they weren't bad but they weren't good either) I bought myself a new dress, 2 scarves (it's freezing here still), and 3 belts! After school, Aaron and I pedaled to the Opera house for a tour. It was gorgeous. The whole time I kept thinking "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade!" I even did the little hand dance while walking UP the staircase, not down....sad face.

 The outside statues made of gold reminded me very much of the play. It was very romantic and opulent!

 Look at this lovely staircase. It was all about how much money you had and if people saw you in expensive places. That's why there's so much rich materials in this building.

 Everything was overdone, but we loved it.

 I absolutely swooned when I saw the foyer. The ladies would come out here during intermission (not that they even watched the operas because the seats were awful and you only went so you could be seen there) and have their corsets redone. You could come out and smoke, or have a drink as well. Look at all the gold!?

 We even got to go into the theater while they were having a tech rehearsal. It was such a deep stage with 5 blacks!

 And then they brought the lights up so we could see the chandelier. Luckily, it wasn't going to fall on us! But it does weigh 7 tons! The painting was a Chagall and is yet another example of the old meeting the new.

 They even brought the scrim down for us too.

It was definitely worth the €20 for both of us. We tried to buy tickets for ANY ballet while we're here but they sell out and every seat is bad. Too bad!

Today's Sugar

 We were real fatties today. While waiting for our tour time, we had a little more than an hour free to wander. Since we were near the Opera, I knew exactly where I wanted to go; Pierre Herme! We picked up some macaroons (2 each) and ate them in a nearby park. We had to get another olive oil and vanilla taste! Yummy!

We also found a candy shop that was filled with nougat and caramels! Some of my favorite things. Unfortunately, we didn't find either to be as delicious as some we've had on this trip already! It was really fun to go in though and see all the different types. We bought a rose nougat and though it tasted fine, it was hard to get into your mouth because your nose is so close and you can't help but feel like you're eating soap!

It stays light out really late

Tonight we decided to take it easy and just go to the movies to see Oblivion with subtitles. We picked the theater on the Champs Elysees. God I hate that place. I got myself a strawberry vanilla swirl ice cream for Kat! Memories! 

 The Arc was all pretty like! I have such great memories of it as a child. I'm also pretty proud of myself for having driven this exact roundabout this last weekend! It definitely was NOT a cake walk.

 The Champs Elysees is quite busy. It might be one of the most dangerous streets in Paris.

This was a super fast selfie. OMG we had to take it really quick!

Rue de Rosiers

 I've been to Rue de Rosiers a couple of times, mainly because it's very near where I live and it's also the road to L'eclair de Genie. Today we went there to meet with our friend's brother for lunch. It was pretty glorious with sun today, but it was very short lived and started raining right at the end of our "picnic lunch by the Seine." We went to the (supposed) best falafel place in Paris.

It was quite the experience. Rather than picking what you want in your falafel, you tell them "I want one" and they hand you one. SUPER FAST! I didn't even get to tell them that I don't eat eggplant or tahini sauce....I got them anyway. It was huge!

Today's Sugar

I know, horrible photo....but anything in a plastic bag will give off glare. I found a cute little Guimauve boutique (marshmallows) and they also had nougat. I spent way too much in there, but I have been craving some marshmallows and nougat. The marshmallows had a ton of flavor in them. Not sure how they packed it all in. They were all fruit flavors, like framboise, orange, lime, etc. I wouldn't get them again as I just found them to be expensive for the sake of being expensive.

Goodbye Belgium

 Today was our last day in Belgium. It was also Raymond's birthday. Aaron got a cooking lesson from Melinda and they made Boulette Liegois. It was very sweet and had grapes in it.

Aaron, myself, Stephan, and Raymond all went over to Melinda's parents house for an aperitif. Rini and Sebastian's house was literally right down the block. It's amazing that we could communicate with them since they were definitely slipping in a lot of Italian. After lunch, we went to yet another food meeting; tea and their friends' house. 

Stephan and Maxime drove us to the train station and there Maxime had to say goodbye. It was so apparent that this family is dying for a dog. Maybe in a couple of years when their new house is built, they will get one, but for now, Melinda says no.

Center of Liege

 Today was very busy, starting off with a trip to the boulongerie for picking up breakfast (chocolate croissants, brioche, and baguette) and then heading off to the American Cemetery here in Belgium.

It is memorial day weekend so there was a very special service to remember those that have perished to keep the European countries free from Hitler's reign. It was actually sunny while we sat there and listened to various important men (ambassadors, assistant to the king, etc.) and it was very moving. The most "lumpy" part of the whole ceremony was when the school children sang the Belgian Anthem, (I heard "Le roi de libertaire") and then they sang the American National Anthem. They didn't even know what they were singing and it was so sweet. I definitely got misty eyed. After, we went to lunch with some of Stephan's friends whose daughter sang today; Francoise, Raphaélle, Lilou, et William. (Lilou is a super cute name and I wish it was more common in America) 

Elise and Lilou enjoyed Trixie being with us in town and also enjoyed climbing on the center statue. Also, the three children went into a phone store and asked for the demo phones that were no longer needed and they had their own "phones" for the rest of the day, taking fake photos and making fake texts. It was adorable.)

 We stopped by a little cafe for a drink and it was nice to have Trixie just sit with us. We had our belgian beers.

 It's so nice to come back to Belgium and have people to spend time with. Though I would like to see other areas, it's so nice to have family here.

My Belgian family.

 And Elise loves Trixie now. She is no longer afraid. Maxime loves Trixie as well. Melinda even goes as far as to say that it's a whole new Maxime because before we arrived, he doesn't want to go out with his parents, go for walks, etc. Now, with Trixie, he goes out all the time. I better make sure that Trixie comes back to France with us.

 Another funny thing about Liege....there is an outdoor bathroom. Yes, just a little spot where men can relieve themselves. Not fair! And I'm not a creeper for taking this shot. Everyone was pushing me to take it.

 A weird thing that was happening today in Liege was that they were trying to break the record for most super heroes in one area. The current record is in LA where there were 1580 people dressed up. And Belgium's record? 207......cue sad trombone sound. There were a couple of good costumes but for the most part, it was just people who wanted to be a part of the record, not cosplayers. Though the Optimus Prime outfit was pretty good and the Princess Mononoke outfit was awesome; the sailor moon outfit leaved lots to be desired.

Today's Sugar

 While we were at Carette, I just had to get one of these special framboise macaroons. I see them every where, but haven't caved and bought one until now. And boy was I surprised?

The inside was filled with pistachio cream. MMMM, I really am starting to appreciate pistachio. I used to be afraid of it, but now I taste how wonderful it is. The presentation was superb. I only hate that I have to share it with Aaron.

To see the family...

 Today, we had class and it was sunny when we were in the classroom. When we left, it was rainy. Why is this happening?! Anyway, we went for lunch at the market near our house, the Marché des enfants rouge. We had lunch at the Japanese place because one of our classmates, Phuta, works there. He was in his element and we actually remarked how hard working he looked. In class, he is a bit of a clown. I will have to return when it's not so cold so we can shop through the vintage pictures and prety flowers.

 We then walked to Carette to buy a gift for my Belgian family. My favorite! I bought an entire box (30 macaroons to be exact) and it cost me €54! Yikes, but they're so good. I just asked the woman to give me all the flavors so she placed them very beautifully in an order I couldn't recreate. I was most excited to try the flavors I didn't buy last time.

 We saw Elise and Maxime, both much bigger than last time. Elise still has the same face, so cute. Maxime is now taller than his dad and now loves computers. He said that Aaron is his idol. Elise was a little timid of Trixie when they met, but as time went on, she definitely warmed up to our pup. I found out that Stephan, Maxime, and Elise all want a dog but Melinda says no....so the children and Stephan can at least pretend to have a dog this weekend. Elise made a paper Trixie.

We made sure to buy some chocolate macaroons because we know that Elise loves chocolate. The funniest part of the dinner was when Melinda brought out another box of macaroons that the family had bought for us. (It's never a problem to have too many macaroons)

Today's Sugar

I had to return to L'eclair de Genie. I just had to. The eclairs were so beautiful and it was so near my house (though I don't have much internet while running around town so it was a bit difficult to find it.) I got myself the "Fraisier" which is pistachio flavor with fruit, mint leaves, and some orange flavoring. I got Aaron a "Praline a L'áncienne" which is just another way of saying old fashioned hazelnut flavored. Mine was definitely a bit too frou frou, being all looks and not bringing in the good taste. Aaron's was definitely better and I'd go as far as to say that I'd get it again. 

Meet Mister Piggles

I bought Trixie a new toy the other day and it is seriously a new love affair. It makes a really cute low husky noise that she can't get enough of. It was less annoying than the high pitched cheap squeakers they sell. Anyway, she loves this thing and we finally decided that he needed a name....so without further ado, Mr. Piggles. She even brought him to bed with her....what a bad girl. They've only just met.

It's a lovely day...finally

 We finally had some sun. Not much...I'm not talking California sun. I'm talking about maybe a couple of hours. It was definitely needed. Here's a shot of my "bike stop" when it was sunny today. The Pompidou just loves it, I can tell. And I don't even love the Pompidou that much but....

look at this view. It's what I see when I do barre stretches in class. Yes, that's the Pompidou. I sometimes think "wow this hurts so bad" and then I notice the Pompidou and my thoughts quickly turn to "wow I can't believe I am here" and "I'm truly blessed to have this opportunity." I wish there were more moments like this to make me appreciate more what I have.

The Rainiest of Rainy Days, with a Side of Wind!

We arose in the morning to a beautiful site, a brook or small river (what is the difference exactly?) and Aaron took Trixie for a walk near some cows. She even got really close to one. 

 Trixie saw the mountain in the distance and knew that something epic was about to happen. Yes, we were on our way to Mont St. Michel. Honestly, I didn't even know what this place was and wasn't all that thrilled to go because it was awful out and it wasn't in Paris. But it was the #1 thing to do in France according to our tour book. BTW, it's a town/village on an island and there's an abbey at the top. (Sory of like Meteora in Greece only less mountain like)

 We decided to walk the 40 minute path rather than take the 10 minute shuttle like all the other wussies. Yeah, that was smart. We did get some awesome pictures of the wind nearly blowing us over. See?

 Trixie didn't mind it, but man, I didn't even pack a rain coat on this trip. (Notice my "ugly" shoes?)

 Once inside the city walls it was actually quite nice (yes, walls) and the only thing that made it bad was the fact that the temperature was still cold. Trixie wasn't allowed in the abbey so we had to do it one at a time. Since I didn't buy an audio guide, I was literally just following a path to various room and reading the titles (all in french of course). I didn't find it too interesting, but whatever. I did think that the town itself was very beautiful and came out of a fairy tale.

Check out the human hamster wheel. When we were leaving the town, the wind picked up like crazy and it started raining hard. We had umbrellas but couldn't open them because the wind would've destroyed them....we decided to take the shuttle. Alas, dogs weren't allowed on the shuttle, so Aaron had to take one for the team and walk Trixie all the way back to the car. I got to go back early and prep the car up. We drove all the way back to Paris that night and in the end, I'm glad we went. It's a gresat memory.