Going out, Louvre, Latin Quarter/Mouffetard!

I dunno what day it is since I've been here and I am going to stop labeling them as such because I just cannot write every day!

Friday our other friend finally got here. Yay! We went to a MICEFA event in the morning, then went to advising, and then went out in the evening. We had a nice dinner and some wine without paying too too much. But then after that we went to this weird salsa event that other MICEFA kids were going to. We were the first ones there and it was SO LAME. First of all, no one knew how to salsa dance (including me). It was mostly people a little older than us. Also we had to buy a crappy drink and check our coats to even get in, so it cost a bunch of money. So we warned the others off coming and met them somewhere else, which took forever to get there. Once we got there it was super fun, though! I'm glad we're finally hanging out with other MICEFA kids.

The next day we went to the Louvre. It was nice and relaxed. Then we went outside because we were tired and got café crème from a Paul stand and walked outside where it was a bit cooler in the Jardin des Tuileries. Side note: we should definitely get Paul in the United States. It's basically a chain pâtisserie and coffee shop. In Paris it's not that amazing because there are a ton of amazing local pâtisseries, but in the states it would be ah-mazing. But anyway, while the Jardin des Tuileries was pretty, especially in the setting sun; it is going to be beautiful when everything is green again. We walked from there along the Champs-Elysées to the Arc de triomphe again so our friend could take a picture in front of it, and also because it was pretty outside.

 Louvre courtyard

Painting of the Saint Bartholemew's Day Massacre, which was the reason my ancestors left France. I thought it was powerful (if a bit melodramatic). Notice the three intertwined hands: the killer is holding the father in place, the son is trying to hold back the killer with one hand but is holding his father's with the other, and the father is pushing the son back, sacrificing himself to save his son. And his face is completely unafraid and accusatory.

Wow this ceiling!

Eiffel Tower in the distance

Louvre courtyard 

  Jardin des Tuileries

  Jardin des Tuileries

 Jardin des Tuileries

 Jardin des Tuileries

 Jardin des Tuileries

Not sure why but I thought this was hilarious. It was a Lamborghini.

Arc de triomphe

After that we headed back to the Latin Quarter for cheaper food and to show our friend our favorite street: Rue Mouffetard! It's a cool street lined with tons of bars and restaurants and to-go foods like crêpes and gyros. Basically it's very fun and cute and happening. We got another nice (and not TOO expensive) dinner with wine and walked around Rue Mouffetard for crêpes and gelato. But we didn't get back too late, which was nice after last night! I don't have any amusing or snarky observations for today, but I'm sure I'll be back to doing that when I start being around French people more again instead of being in such tourist-y areas.

Tomorrow one friend and I plan to picnic under the Eiffel Tower while the other two walk up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower. Then who knows what the day will bring! Monday I have to go to Paris 3 (Sorbonne Nouvelle) for a tour and placement test that will take all day. Bring it on.

Bisous,
La vache espagnole