Reflections on the Sorbonne

During my time in Paris I spent six months studying at the Sorbonne university; the most well-known and historically influential university in France. I spent most of my time in the several other campuses around the city rather than in the old building in the centre of the city. Nevertheless I used to opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful buildings in the city especially as it is only accessible with a Sorbonne student card. Not many people get to look around the building and it is certainly off limits for tourists. It’s a shame really as the building really is amazing, but it does feel special to have access to a special, secret little area.

I enjoyed my time at the Sorbonne but found the difference between English university and French university difficult to bridge at times. For one, in France there is no real campus that students live on and most students live with their parents. Similarly there are not many student organisations or clubs, or even special areas designated for students to socialise. Due to this difference I found it difficult to feel involved in the student environment and to meet other students other than in class. I definitely missed the buzz and energy that exists in all English universities.

Classes were much more time-intensive which I greatly appreciated, not just because it meant I had more time hearing and practising my French but also because it felt like I was getting value for money. Ironic considering in France University is state funded, whereas in England my heavy tuition fees are rewarded with a few measly contact hours a week!

The university buildings were of course stunning and made for an interesting, historical and inspiring place to study, however I am used to this at home as my English university just happens to be a castle.

I enjoyed my experience, leant a lot and met some wonderful people and as much as I can say that I really appreciated and valued the wonderful surroundings I can safely say that I am very happy I am an English student at an English university.

Mood – Grateful 

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Palais de Tokyo

A lesser-known but equally interesting sight in Paris is the Palais de Tokyo. I only recently discovered this little, well actually rather large, gem and thank goodness I did because so many tourists get very wrapped up in the Eiffel tower and the Champs Elysees that they miss amazing things right in front of them. From the beginning I was determined not to fall into this trap and so finding places like this makes me feel very accomplished. Silly really considering all good guide books will at least have a little paragraph dedicated to the Palais and the fact that it was just a hop and a jump across the Seine from the apartment.  

The centre itself is a modern art museum and the reason I love it is because of its large-scale art installations that feel interactive to the point that you cannot help but get involved and drawn into the pieces. In particular the rainbow room as I like to call it is sort of a cross between a paint-shop explosion and a skate park and as such attracts adults and children onto is colourful levels. We are drawn in to become participants, not observers but part of the work itself, to use, play and explore the art. That to me is what art is all about, enjoying oneself and feeling part of something.

Several other statement pieces reflect powerful opinions and thoughts on society, calling the watcher to question and reflect on this interactive dialog.

When you have finished being manipulated and examine by pieces of art take a moment to notice how amazing the actual building is in itself, especially the courtyard and garden, which make the whole experience even more pleasant. The café also deserves a mention and is the perfect place for a little pause, chat and pick me up. I would even come here for dinner it’s that cool!

The artwork even continues outside!

Mood – pretending to know what I am talking about!

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Little Black Jacket

 With winter just around the corner, tiptoeing every so slightly a little closer, I started thinking back to winter in Paris and realised that I had completely forgotten to share the details of an exhibition that I saw in November at the Grand Palais. So, without further ado here is a little reminiscent post about the Little Black Jacket exhibition that I went to see with Miss JJ and IS.

The collection was put together by the Chanel fashion house and was comprised of hundreds of photos of influential fashion people, actors, musician and other recognisable faces all wearing a little black jacket. The photos were mainly in black and white and were largely taken by Karl Lagerfeld himself. We spend an hour of so wandering around appreciating the diversity, simplicity and beauty of the photographs and the fashion. I find it amazing that such an iconic garment can be so universal but so unique at the same time. Each person imprints their own personality and life into the jacket and yet the jacket in itself makes a unifying status that is instantly identifiable.

The best thing was that entrance was completely free and we were all given a poster of one of the pictures as a souvenir. An absolute bargain way to spend a chilly afternoon. Although the exhibition is finished in Paris now, it is making its way across the world and will next be arriving in Shanghai!

Mood – Chilly 

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Twenty three

Yesterday on the 09/09/2013 I turned 23, an age I consider a little boring. It holds no special significance, marks no particular landmark and seems just another rung on the ladder to the big 3.0!

In order to jazz up the dreaded day I have decided to make this year more exciting with a few goals. Some of which I think are very achievable, some are silly and simple and some are a little more crazy. 

Here goes:

23 things to do while im 23!

1) Read 23 books
2) Visit 4 new places
3) Get a haircut that differs from the usual
4) Get a degree
5) Do something that scares me
6) Find a lipstick colour that suits me
7) Learn some Spanish
8) Learn how to shoot in manual with the camera
9) Host a dinner party
10) Watch less trash television
11) Set up a linked in profile and use it!
12) Make a proper Christmas cake
13) Finish a knitting project
14) Run 5k
16) Have my first massage
17) Redesign my blog
18) Wear yellow, at least once
19) Make far too much effort on a dressing up costume
20) Try a new style of dance (twerking not included)
21) Bake homemade bread
22) Attend a Ted talk
23) See the sunrise

Here goes!

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Breakfast in America

Sometimes croissants and and baguettes get a little too much when you eat them everyday. Hard to believe I know but it is nevertheless true. I know as soon as I get home I will regret ever saying this and will be wishing, praying and begging for some freshly baked parisian goodies. With that said, my fellow blogger and beautiful friend IS and I headed out to find a different brunch spot and decided to try a much talked about place called Breakfast in America. A typical American diner providing pancakes, crispy bacon, bagels, fries and eggs sunny side up.

We feasted on delicious brunch's of American-sized portions in an amazingly authentic and fun surroundings. The whole diner was buzzing with happy and well fed voices chatting away with friends on a lazy Sunday morning. Breakfast stretched into lunch as we helped ourselves to yet another milkshake, feasted on fluffy pancakes and gorged ourselves on great conversation.

I would recommend Breakfast in America to anyone needing a little taste of the US of A or even just a little break from the boulangerie!

Mood - Feeling full just thinking about it!

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Musee d'Orsay

One of the first things that I visited when I arrived in Paris was the Musee d’Orsay, to check out Degas’s ballerinas and to see the giant clock. In reality the museum is so much more than that. It is an old train station and so the giant clock provides a window into Paris as well as being a nice reminder of the past. There is a romantic atmosphere to the whole museum, which I feel is largely due to the rich history of the building. It is easy to stand on the balcony and conjure up images of lovers meeting on the platform after months apart and families being joyfully reunited. Basically, the same sort of warm, snugly feeling that you get at airports watching people in the arrivals hall comes across you, but in a much more reminiscent and romantic way.

Of course the paintings are also beautiful and time passes so quickly as you wander through gallery after gallery. Ironic really as time is watching over you in the form of the giant clock, a bit like Midnight in Paris, when the hour comes it is time to go back to reality and to the busy streets of the city.

The museum is well worth a visit, several times in order to have time to enjoy each painting as it should be enjoyed as well as to stop at the lovely little restaurant which only adds to the romanticism.

Mood - Charmed

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La Pagode

English speakers are spoilt in terms of cinema and film as a large quantity of films are produced in English, and therefore we are used to just being able to watch whatever we want to watch very easily. In my opinion this has created a sense of linguistic apathy amongst the English-speaking world. This of course is a very generalised opinion but in my experience it is true. I believe that foreigners speak English to a much higher standard than English people speak foreign languages. This, of course, is largely due to education but I think that media and culture play a role as well. Simplistically, English speakers do not need to learn other languages because a large majority of popular culture, including films and television, are produced in English. Whereas, other language speakers often are forced to learn languages and are much more pro-active about learning other languages whether this is driven by need or desire. Films and television often are a crucial way that other language speakers learn English, whereas English speakers very rarely view media as a linguistic tool. These views are, as I am aware, very generalised and maybe exaggerated but nevertheless are an interesting observation.

My point in noting these opinions is to highlight the number of independent cinemas in Paris that focus on showing artistic, smaller budgeted and often foreign films. I completely respect and appreciate the existence of these cinemas. Sure we all want to go and see the next big blockbuster, however there is a whole world of beautiful cinematography and interesting, engaging and fun forms of media that people are often not aware of. I used to include myself amongst this group of people and it was only in Paris that I started to become aware of this new world of film. Not only did I discover some of the most incredible films and documentaries that I have ever seen but I also discovered some amazing independent and unique cinemas. One such cinema is la Pagode in the seventh arrondissement.

Based on a Japanese pagoda this cinema has two intimate screens, each with hand painted frescos and chandelier lighting as well as a natural tea garden overflowing with ferns and grasses. AS and I arrived early and spent a while having a drink in the garden before taking our places. Sadly, we were two of about 15 people who had shown up to see that evening’s showing and I couldn’t help but wander how many people were just up the road in the bustling UGC cinema on the Champs Elysees being crammed into one of its twenty screens. I enjoyed what felt like a private showing in my plush red velvet seat in on of the most incredible film theatres I had ever visited. (This includes my visit to the Cinema Paradiso a few months ago). I cannot wait to go back!

Mood - Thoughtful

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