Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Le Marais

I am often asked what is a "must see" when visiting Paris.  Answers like climb the Eiffel Tower and visit the Musee D'Orsay quickly get old so my piece of advice when visiting the city for a weekend is to visit the Marais in the 4th arrondissement.  On the right bank and not too far from the Centre Pompidou exists this beautiful and very historic area of Paris.  Famous for its hip restaurants, museums, vintage shopping and, of course, falafel. 



The Marais is often also referred to as the Jewish quarter.  

Star of David

When Alexis was visiting last week we made multiple trips to this area for the most filling meal you will find in paris for just 7 euro!  My personal favorite falafel restaurant thus far and also one that was recommended by friends is L'as Du Falafel located at 34 Rue des Rosiers 75004 Paris.


Yup, it's monstrous.

Good food and vintage shopping is not all that exists in this area.  Combining class and comfort food, the Marais is home to the house of Victor Hugo, the Musee Picasso, and one of my favorite museums I have seen thus far, the Musee Carnavalet.  I visited this museum in particular to see an exposition on Louis Vuitton and the history of their high-end fashion bags and luggage.  It was interesting to see the progression of what was once a small family business between a father and his sons turn into what is one of the largest shops on the Champs-Elysees today.

Musee Carnavelt
Massive Louis Vuitton Store on the Champs-Elysees
Moral of the story, when visiting Paris make sure you check out this neighborhood because it is certainly a place that can be enjoyed by all!

Bisous bisous,
Mary

Monday, March 14, 2011

24 hours in Normandy

This Saturday, for the first time in over a month, I left Paris and traveled one hour north to Normandy to visit the city of Rouen, France.  My friend Melissa has a friend from the US teaching English to high school students in Rouen and she invited me to come along with her to visit her friend in the charming city.

We saw some amazing things in Rouen like the place where Joan of Arc was burned and the church that was later dedicated in her honor.

Melissa and Joan

I was reminded that we were not too far from home as we explored the city, as traces of the Seine were everywhere...Located on the right bank, Rouen has a much more industrial view of the river in comparison with Paris. However, the Seine trickled it's way through the town in the version of a small canal:

Small Canal descending from the Seine

Rouen is filled with beautiful gothic cathedrals.  The number of gray gothic towers popping above the buildings was almost disorienting, it was hard to distinguish exactly where we were in the city with such a large number of beautiful churches.
Rouen Cathedrale
Monet's Rouen Cathedrale

View from inside the Cathedral
The cathedral was bombed 7 times during World War II and miraculously still stands today.  The bombs just slightly missed hitting some of the central pillars holding up the church.  To this day, many of the windows have not been restored back to their original stain glass windows.  My grandfather was a pilot during WWII so this history of the church was especially intriguing to me.

Something I also found rather interesting about the cathedral was that it was colder inside the church than than the Normandy winter air was outside.  I could even see my breath!  Not sure how people sit through mass here?

Get ready to hear all about Alexis' trip to Paris!  Many fun restaurants, sights, and stories to come tomorrow!

Bisous bisous,
Mary

London!

"Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

And I say it's all right."                 
                                                              -The Beatles
Yesterday I got back from a week long trip with my International Business class to London! It was nice to be back in a land of English, Starbucks, and peanut butter. I was shocked at how much London reminded me of the states, and how different it was from Copenhagen.

My favorite part of the trip and one of the best things I've done in Europe so far was a bike tour of the city. My whole class (21 of us) cruised through the city for four hours led by a great tour guide. We were so lucky with the weather too. It was actually 50 degrees and sunny which made me finally believe that Spring is actually coming! Biking was such a nice way to see the city since we could cover so much ground in a fairly short period of time. Some of the highlights of the tour were seeing Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The Tower of London, London Bridge, The Tower Bridge, Trifalga Square, and the many big parks and lakes throughout the city filled with people enjoying the weather. Halfway through the tour we took a break and had a beer on our professor in a traditional English pub. Here are some pictures of the day...



Tower Bridge



Buckingham Palace




Governor's House


Trafalga Square
classic phonebooth shot
Westminster Abbey....the site of the Royal Wedding next month!
First buds I've seen in Europe! Spring IS coming
Hyde Park (reminded me of 101 Dalmations)

 For dinner that night we went to a pub called The Goat and had an authentic British meal of Fish n Chips...also known as "The CODfather." Brits are so clever... It was huge!


It was funny how literally OBSESSED everyone is with Prince William and the "Royal Wedding" that is happening next month. One of my friend's uncle, who lives in London, said they are expecting it to be a bigger deal and cause more media and hype than the Olympics. On every corner there is Royal Wedding paraphenalia being sold and the people talk about "Will and Kate" like they're old friends. Obviously I had to get something from London, so here is my newest purchase...


Can't wait to wear this around Copenhagen on April 20th in honor of the big day! Might have some champagne too...It's not every year you have a royal wedding :) 

On another day we went up in the London Eye, which is the huge Ferris Wheel in the heart of London right next to the Thames. It showed us an unbelievable view of the city and of Big Ben and Parliament right across the river.
The London Eye
Big Ben/Parliament
Big Ben/Parliament
inside the eye
at the top!
Another highlight of the trip was having authentic British afternoon tea. It was delicious!


One night we saw the musical Wicked which was amazing! We found out afterwards that the lead role was played by the understudy on the night we saw it, and she was exceptional. I can't imagine how good the usual actress is.

We even had some class bonding at a few clubs in London which were all good fun. Our professors even tagged along.


London was such a cool city, and the trip was a huge success! It did make me realize though that I am glad I chose Copenhagen to study abroad in since I am able to experience a culture very different than back home. The UK definitely has its own culture but there were times that I forgot that I wasn't in America. It feels great to be back in Copenhagen, especially since it broke 50 degrees yesterday for the first time all semester! All signs point towards SPRING :)


sunset from my room this evening


Sending my love from Denmark,
Hej Hej,
Kelly

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Flèche d'Or

Flèche d'Or
Two weeks ago I attended my first concert in France at a venue on the right bank called Flèche d'Or or "Golden Arrow".  We saw four bands, none of which were French may I add, but I enjoyed the concert immensely.  I was amazed by each performance. 

Lead singer of the Airborn Toxic Event
Here is a link to my favorite song that the Airborn Toxic Event sang called "Sometime Around Midnight"
 

Friends Hannah, Abby, and Sonia
 
Beautiful electric violen

The Airborn Toxic Event

At the end of March I am going to a second concert at the venue and seeing Matt & Kim who are a popular band in the US.  Here is a link to one of their most famous songs that many of you may know:


Bisous bisous,
Mary

Monday, March 7, 2011

Possibly my favorite moment in Paris...

Today Alexis and I were planning to spend the late afternoon in the Musee D'Orsay but to our surprise when we arrived at the museum it was closed (as it is all Mondays, whoops).  So what to do instead?  Sacre-Coeur...
 


Best soccer player EVER
Alexis and I
Sunset at Sacre-Coeur

He sang Californication for Tarbz... notice the soccer player climbing down in the background.  I am not one to ever give money to street performers but this guy was amazing and for the amount of time we listened, he deserved at least one euro from me.

Bonne nuit tout le monde!

Bisous bisous,
Mary

Saturday, March 5, 2011

10 Things Tarbet must do while in Paris

1.  Advice courtesy of her UVA Professor: drink champagne in front of Jim Morrison's grave at Cimetiere Pere Lachaise
Jim Morrison's Grave
2.  Do some star stalking because it's Fashion Week in Paris (Round II!)
Outside the Dior Show
3.  Day trip to the chateau Versailles!  And bike around the gardens if the we have warm weather...
Versailles Gardens
4.  Dinner at St. Michel so we can enjoy a three course meal for 10 euros...very touristy but possibly the best deal in Paris?
So French
We will also without question be eating at the one and only gluten-free restaurant in Paris: Des Si et Des Mets

5.  Angelina's, because we all know Tarbet can't last a week without hot chocolate...

Yummmmm
6.  Go to Kong to hear some classic American rap music...sometimes I feel like I'm at a high school dance due to the music selection here



7.  Sacre-Coeur, possibly for sunrise?
  

8.  Go to AT LEAST 3 museums....my list includes Louvre (of course), Musee D'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou

9.  Run the Paris Half Marathon!  It will be my fourth all-time as well as fourth half with Alexis...

Finishing the Charlottesville Half Marathon


10.  Need I say it, but HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!


Bisous bisous,
Mary