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Lord. Long story short. I had a youth ticket to London. I am not a youth. We got to the train station at 6:30am and found out that it would cost the equivalent of $550 US for me to get a new ticket. Despite the ease with which I purchased Francois, I couldn't justify spending that much money on a train ticket to London. I even woke my mother up back at home to ask her opinion and, though she was willing to pay for it as my holiday gift, she agreed that it wasn't worth the money. I'll be back to Europe. Hell, I can spend a weekend in London for $600. So, no London for me.
Lex was kind and offered to stay back as well but that would have been silly. So Lex went on to London and I stayed in Paris. I was far more distraught than an American vacationing in Paris ever should be but once I got over myself and headed out to explore, I had a fantastic, fantastic day complete with French naughty bits up on stage.
After a nice nap, I planned my day and headed to the Museum of Jewish Art & History. France doesn't have the best history with the Jews so I was interested to see what the museum offered. The most striking thing about the museum is the security. It's tighter than at the Louvre. Because of anti-semetic sentiment in France, it's a fortress. Before you can even pass through the glass door into the security area, everything has to be x-rayed. When you walk around the museum, you have to check everything except your wallet. Purses, everything. The artifacts themselves were incredible. Gravestones dating back to the middle ages, wedding rings from the 16th century. The most amazing part to me, though, is that all these years later, we're still using the same ritual items.
I decided that I wanted to see a dance performance tonight so, after the museum, I walked to the box office for a small dance company to see what was available. There was nothing for tonight but they directed me to the Theater de la Ville which is very well known for their productions. I walked to the Theater de la Ville and purchased tickets for an experimental piece by Xavier La Roy. I had no idea what it was because I couldn't read the brochure but the photos looked interesting.
From there, I walked across the Seine to check out the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter. Certain streets definitely had that university feel to them. I ate lunch at a small brasserie where I drank red wine and started my SeSa story in my journal. Long hand. I never, ever imagined I'd be writing boy on boy porn in a brasserie in the middle of Paris.
I walked home and rested for an hour or two before leaving to walk to the theater. I arrived 45 minutes early because it was general admission and, somehow, ended up in the center section, first row of the 1000 seat theater.
I'm not sure I can describe the next 70 minutes of my life. It was a very experimental movement piece that used mime and nerf balls and culminated with a naked Frenchman running around the stage, his naked bits flopping everywhere. Some people actually got up and left the theater about 40 minutes in but I was too amused to get out of my seat.
On the way home, I got my second crepe of the trip (nutella and banana) and then met up with my cousin at one of her friend's flats. Now I'm back and frustrated that AOL webmail doesn't give you first look. :)
So, it started off rocky but everything seems to work out for the best. It was a great feeling to be able to navigate Paris on my own, especially because I don't speak the language. I put on my walkman and just explored. Tomorrow, I may take a boat trip on the Seine and I'm also thinking about going to some of the smaller museums. Then, it's Thanksgiving dinner with my cousin and her friends. Thanksgiving in Paris!
I'm sorry I missed London and english_muffin and I didn't anticipate that Lex and I would have divergent paths in our vacation but, once again, I go to bed satisfied. Though that satisfaction would amplify if I could see a certain video!
PS- Very happy birthday wishes to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mickeym!!! It's tomorrow over here but it's still yesterday by you so, technically, I'm not late. Thanks for your friendship and your generosity. I hope all the wonderful things you deserve come your way!
Lex was kind and offered to stay back as well but that would have been silly. So Lex went on to London and I stayed in Paris. I was far more distraught than an American vacationing in Paris ever should be but once I got over myself and headed out to explore, I had a fantastic, fantastic day complete with French naughty bits up on stage.
After a nice nap, I planned my day and headed to the Museum of Jewish Art & History. France doesn't have the best history with the Jews so I was interested to see what the museum offered. The most striking thing about the museum is the security. It's tighter than at the Louvre. Because of anti-semetic sentiment in France, it's a fortress. Before you can even pass through the glass door into the security area, everything has to be x-rayed. When you walk around the museum, you have to check everything except your wallet. Purses, everything. The artifacts themselves were incredible. Gravestones dating back to the middle ages, wedding rings from the 16th century. The most amazing part to me, though, is that all these years later, we're still using the same ritual items.
I decided that I wanted to see a dance performance tonight so, after the museum, I walked to the box office for a small dance company to see what was available. There was nothing for tonight but they directed me to the Theater de la Ville which is very well known for their productions. I walked to the Theater de la Ville and purchased tickets for an experimental piece by Xavier La Roy. I had no idea what it was because I couldn't read the brochure but the photos looked interesting.
From there, I walked across the Seine to check out the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter. Certain streets definitely had that university feel to them. I ate lunch at a small brasserie where I drank red wine and started my SeSa story in my journal. Long hand. I never, ever imagined I'd be writing boy on boy porn in a brasserie in the middle of Paris.
I walked home and rested for an hour or two before leaving to walk to the theater. I arrived 45 minutes early because it was general admission and, somehow, ended up in the center section, first row of the 1000 seat theater.
I'm not sure I can describe the next 70 minutes of my life. It was a very experimental movement piece that used mime and nerf balls and culminated with a naked Frenchman running around the stage, his naked bits flopping everywhere. Some people actually got up and left the theater about 40 minutes in but I was too amused to get out of my seat.
On the way home, I got my second crepe of the trip (nutella and banana) and then met up with my cousin at one of her friend's flats. Now I'm back and frustrated that AOL webmail doesn't give you first look. :)
So, it started off rocky but everything seems to work out for the best. It was a great feeling to be able to navigate Paris on my own, especially because I don't speak the language. I put on my walkman and just explored. Tomorrow, I may take a boat trip on the Seine and I'm also thinking about going to some of the smaller museums. Then, it's Thanksgiving dinner with my cousin and her friends. Thanksgiving in Paris!
I'm sorry I missed London and english_muffin and I didn't anticipate that Lex and I would have divergent paths in our vacation but, once again, I go to bed satisfied. Though that satisfaction would amplify if I could see a certain video!
PS- Very happy birthday wishes to
mickeym!!! It's tomorrow over here but it's still yesterday by you so, technically, I'm not late. Thanks for your friendship and your generosity. I hope all the wonderful things you deserve come your way!