free free FREE

Many people leave Paris for the month of August and many stores and cafes are closed. The city of Paris, realizes that not everyone can afford to go jet off to Italy or wherever for a month, so they provide many free events during the month of August. Which I took advantage of.

Cinema en plein air & Cinéma au Clair de Lune were two different events that took place in different parts of the city from July 17 til Aug 22. They showed various movies on these inflatable screens & everyone would picnic before hand. So lovely! I saw My Private Idaho & a french musical about a threesome. They were both excellent films that would never be shown on a big screen in America due to their racy content! I was going to see Science of Sleep, but I got lost on the way.

Paris Plages was happening as well. They basically built a beach along the banks of the Seine & blocked it off to traffic. It was really cool.



free foosball!

free dance lessons!

free music!

I have been doing a great job of staying within my budget here in Paris thanks to all the free entertainment!

Junggesellinnenabschied (JGA)

Let's talk German traditions.
Junggesellinnenabschied is a German bachelorette/bachelor party aka hen/stag party. Let me tell you, they are fantastic! I encountered probably 10 or more while in Mainz.


The bride or groom to be dresses up in some silly outfit & their bridesmaids/groomsmen wear a shirt or hat that lets the public know that they are in unity. The goal of the evening is to sell goods to the public that can be carried in a basket. They sell all sorts of random things..lighters, shots, condoms, candy, lottery tickets, whatever. The bride/groom also makes money by doing little dares their party has predetermined. The money is then used for the party to drink at the next bar.

so. much. fun.


attractive photo of me with my purchase from the hens

if you look closely you can see the lighter i purchased from these dudes.
also..depp means fool in german!

these ladies chose to spend their evening on a bicycle bar across the town!

Also, apparently, in a certain city in Germany, i cant recall which city. If you are male who is single when you turn 30. Your friends dress you up as a pig & you have to clean up garbage at the city hall until a girl feels pity for you and gives you a kiss. How terrible/amazing is that?!

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

This song is the jam!

FOOOD

If anyone knows anything about me, they know I love to eat. I even have a food dance if something is really really good. So of course I should do a post about all the delightful foods I have had to eat thus far.
I love big cities for the fact that I can eat what I want and not gain weight because I walk everywhere. Unlike in the midwest where my typical mode of transportation is a car and I eat fast food once a day because I lack self control!

CURRYWURST:

So good. Bratwurst and french fries covered in curry ketchup and mayonnaise sprinkled with fried onions.

GERMAN POTATO SALAD:

Malina's Oma made some for us and it was wonderful!

THOMY:

A wonderful mustard that I ate on everything.

SPIESSBRATEN:

(waiting for spiessbraten)
I'm not exactly sure what makes this pork dish so amazing, but it is.

DONER:

(my first doner)
Lamb or pork with chopped lettuce, cabbage, onions, cucumber, and tomatoes. You can choose between hot sauce (scharfe Soße), herb sauce (Kräutersoße), curry sauce (Currysoße), cocktail sauce (Cocktailsoße) garlic sauce (Knoblauchsoße), or yogurt (Joghurtsoße). Wrapped in thick flatbread (Fladenbrot) that is usually toasted or warmed. I want one now!

BAGUETTES, BRIE, CUCUMBERS, & WHITE WINE:

This is what I have been living on in Paris. I'm too timid to go order food in a cafe! At least it is delicious & cheap!


PICNICS:

everyone picnics in Europe. Quite lovely!

DRINKS:
SCWIPP-SHWAP

cola & orangejuice from Germany.
Fun fact! Soda in general is not as sweet here. That is because it is made with sugar cane & high fructose corn syrup.

MINERAL WATER


COFFEE:

keeps the world running. love that french press!

JACK & COKE IN A CAN:

surprisingly good.

GUMMIES:
The love of gummies is shockingly amazing in Europe. All these pictures are from Mainz, but the love is strong here in Paris too.



Bon Appetit!

my little studio on rue saint maur

So I found a delightful little studio in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It's in a hip little neighborhood and i live above two cafes, one that has live music every night. Unfortunately, August is when the people of Paris go on vacation, so those two cafes, along with many other businesses are closed for the time I am here. But there are still many that are open for me to visit! It is also a block away from a fairly large Islamic community, which is really interesting to walk through. Maybe I will take some pictures. Anywho, here is my place!

it's on the 5th floor. no elevator.

my neighbors seem cool.
view from the back.

view from the front.

view from the inside.
(bathroom entrance)
my parisian self portriate


i'm going to go on a bicycle tour today. take care!

Gloss - Lonely In Paris

This song sums up my feelings about the first few days in Paris. But I put my brave girl boots on, gave my self the pep talk of "Kelly. You are in Paris! Snap out of it." and things are less intimidating.

oh man oh man. i have not been doing a good job of documenting my tales. AT ALL! It's a rainy day is Paris and I have few distractions, so i will do my best to give a good update.

Left the States 12 days ago. Cried a bit at having to say goodbye to Benjamin. It is a wierd feeling getting frisked my airport security while tears are rolling down your face! Flew FWA to DTW to ATL to FRA. Malina picked me up from the airport, I was a little worried as I couldnt find her, but alas I did.

We rode the train to Mainz, where we stopped at the bakery to get bread for breakfast. Got to the apartment & met Hannah, Malina's girlfriend, who had a cup of coffee ready for me! I really couldnt ask for better hosts. They showed me around Germany, taught me german phrases, made sure i ate all the authentic and delicious German food..all the time.

Here are some highlights of my time in Germany...
hanna sunshine! malina! bicycle bar! america needs this! dwjawad & i
views from our picnic

more will be posted later! au revoir!