Paris Adventure Day 4 of 7

July 9, 2014

Today is day number four of seven in the Capital of France: Paris. As I think of my expectations of what Paris would be like, this is exceeding all of them. I reflect on today and realize that I appreciate the fact that I have a car, a driver’s license, and free will to go and come as I very well please. The day began slow because it was not supposed to rain, however, it did. I was prepared for rain as Dr. Shanklin explained in orientation that it could start raining on the drop of a dime or even while it was still suspended in the middle of the air.

Rain is not a bad thing. Here in Paris the people have not stopped and I have not heard any grumbling about it either. We the academic tourist, on the other hand, have had enough. Anyway, Tao, Tjaya, and I began our journey today looking for sports stores for Tao, a radio station for Tjaya, and Perfume/Cosmetic stores for me to do research for our papers.

First things first, the traffic here is terrible, but no worries, we took the subway and made it to our destination just fine. It is amazing I have never taken the city bus in Nashville, yet I have been on the subway every day since I have been in Paris. This proves to me that I can do anything that I put my mind to do. The secret to riding the subway here is to know which direction you need to go and get on the correct number line of the train to get you there. It was frightening at first, but I trusted God and Tao to see me through. Yes, Tao was instrumental in navigating the subway. We ventured back to the Musee Du Louvre so that we could scout out businesses that fit the criteria we needed to get our work complete.

This is a process that is taking time because one, we have to map our route out so that we don’t waste time back tracking or overlooking stores that are in the immediate area. Paris is known for having top fashions and perfume aromas that are sweet to the snout. Today I found out that it also is the home of SkyRock radio station. This is a station that touts itself as a premier rap station. If you want to visit its website it is www.skyrock.com I plan to log on tonight to see if they are true to what they say: premier. I can say this; they had photos of the rapper 50 Cents, Alicia Keys, and Common plus many others on their walls advertising the fact that they are in the music business.

To move on through the day, we hustled through the streets of Paris searching for perfume stores and Nike or Adidas stores for Tao and me to get information pertinent to our causes. We ran in and out of the rain, happy as can be. Notice I did not say happy and gay. Speaking of gay, we had a conversation today about how the world is changing. The world view of homosexuality is increasingly shifting. We all need to realize that it does not matter what sexual orientation a person is, but it matters how you treat your fellow man. Enough of that!  

On to one of the highlights of the day: falafel. Dr. V told us about chickpeas and how they made the falafel. Ironically, none of us even ate what the restaurant is famous for, but all of us had pita sandwiches. Dr. V was oh so excited about the FIFA World Cup. He hopes that the Dutch wins the game tonight so that when we arrive in Amsterdam we can see the final while in the capital of Holland. If the Argentineans win then the game will be held on Saturday with no hoopla for us to enjoy while in Holland. Last night the Germans skunked Brazil 7 – 1 and pushed them on to the finals. I know nothing about soccer, but I love the excitement of the hostel and am eager to see how it ends tonight.   

Day 4---Paris

July 9, 2014

It’s still a raining day. But I got lucky today because I found my lost umbrella last night. It helps me a lot. The goal of today is doing the interview for my research. I am doing two stores today. When I ask them to do an interview firstly, they don’t want to help me because they have rules for forbidding this. However, I said it’s just like a chat, and you are not that kind of busy, let’s just talk about the World Cup. Then he doesn’t reject me. When I asked him what do he think about this France team, he was so depression. He said they have chance to beat Germany, but lucky doesn’t in their side. Meanwhile, he thought that this national team is doing great in this World Cup. The coach, Didier Deschamps, is making this team better than before. He solved the problem of internal conflict. Although Ribéry can’t play in this World Cup but Paul Pogba let them think that he is a superstar and they can win the championship again in the future. Tonight I will watch the second semi-final game which Netherlands VS Argentina. I wish Netherlands could win. In this way, we can watch the final game, which is Germany VS Netherlands in Amsterdam.  Let’s go Netherlands.

After I finished the interview, Dr. Lukosius buy us the dinner and dessert. This dinner is the best I took in Paris so far. It called Fallafel, which has turkey, chicken, and lamb inside, and a pita outside. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of that restaurant. But t is near in the Saint Paul Metro Station. Hope anyone who can see this blog can come to try it.

Paris Adventure - Day 3

July 8, 2014
Today is a very special day for me as it is my oldest child's birthday. Marquitta was a beautiful baby and has grown into an even more  beautiful woman.
Now for my day three adventures in Paris, the capital of France. Early this morning I woke up with the anticipation of working out a plan for accomplishing my task of gathering information for my paper. There was a change of plans. My group took a tour of Paris like a whirlwind. We mapped out the route in which we would take to gain the knowledge of Paris that is outlined in the syllabus.
It could be very easy to forget that this is a study abroad trip and not just a wonderful vacation. I am so thankful to be here. Studying abroad is just that, studying while abroad in another country. We earned our keep today. Tjaya, Coshia, Tao, and I walked a while, climbed lots of stairs all day, and took the subway to our different destinations. We traveled from District 15 all the way to District 9 looking at two star hotels. Also, we visited so many grocery stores that I know the price of a liter of whole milk, a dozen of eggs, and the price of rib eye steaks per kilo all across Paris.
Today was similar to a  scavenger hunt except there was not a prize at the end of it. In addition to that today was not a game; it was all about business. Searching different Districts for the same items was enlightening because it is the same as it is in America. Prices differ depending on what location you are shopping.
District 5 was my favorite District because it was the most beautiful of them all. I am so thankful for seeing a large building up on top of a hill because if I had not spotted that building, I would not have been driven to climb the hill and witness pure splendor: Place Saint Genevieve. The church was being cleaned or painted, maybe even repaired but it was a beautiful sight. The architectural masterpiece was divine. I ventured inside and was totally blown away. The utter beauty of the church was fascinating in itself, but once inside the Holy Spirit took over. I immersed  myself in it and prayed. I pray all of the time, but I got a power surge that will help me for the days ahead. The hill that we climbed also took us to the Parathion. A magnificent building in itself as well. The sheer magnitude of this building was amazing too.
Today in Paris: my daughter's birthday, a Tuesday, a great day!!!
(I am having trouble getting the photos to upload. I will continue tomorrow to get them in.) Done...

Day 3---Paris

July 8, 2014

As we start before today’s journey, I didn’t expect it is also a tired day. However, I have the best experience in Paris so far. The mission of today is going 5 different districts to visit the two star hotels and ask the price per night of a double room; visit butcher shops and food store to list the price of a dozen eggs, a liter of whole milk, and p/kg of rib-eye steak; and take pictures of the most prominent architectural object, the most prominent commercial business, the most prominent tourist attraction, and a two star hotel in each districts. It made me feel like it would be more interesting for me to experience the whole Paris.

When we in the 5^th district, we found the Panthéon. The inscription above the entrance reads AUX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE ("To the great men, the grateful homeland"). By burying its great men in the Panthéon, the Nation acknowledges the honor it received from them. As such, interment here is severely restricted and is allowed only by a parliamentary act for "National Heroes". Its, architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot, had the intention of combining the lightness and brightness of the gothic cathedral with classical principles. Soufflot died before his work was achieved, and his plans were not entirely followed. The transparency he had planned for his masterpiece was not attained. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important architectural achievements of its time and the first great neoclassical monument. I can’t tell you how greatness it is through the words and pictures, because the only way to feel the greatness is coming to watch it.

First Day in Paris!

As we began to land in Paris, I was so relieved that we made it here safe. Before we came I ended my summer session 1 with a term paper in my Law and Ethics class over Coleen Rowley. Flying has always been a slight fear of mine but I think me taking intrest in learning over seas helps me slowly but surely get over it.

My first day here was... intresting. We had to tote our suitcases through the train station, up and down the stairs. It was so frustrating. I kept saying to myself "Why did  I pack right at 50 pounds". Carrying our bags up the staircases just to get to the trains expeditiously was well worth it because I did not want to get left behind. However getting on the trains was just as complicated.
Imagin you have your 50 pound suitcase and so does the person to your left and right and behind you does to and you all are trying to go into the same door to get on the train, not only do you have that in common but the fear of being left behind on the first day with no sense of direction in the train station, also you don't even no where your hostel. Regardless if I get left behind I knew the smartest thing for me to do is to just sit there if my intructor does a head count he will realize I'm missing. Thankfully it didn't have to come to that.
Getting on and off the train at a timly matter sounds like its not hard huh? LIke I said before I had suitcase and the all around me did as well, but also you have to get  through the French citizens who were bumrushing the doors just like we are. It was like we all had a mission and that was to not miss our rides. So we did what we have to do; push, shove, whatever. I kept a good grip on the poles in the train so I wouldn't lose my balance as the train jerked us away and jerked us when we stopped. In the end my first lesson in Paris but also life was to be aggressive with life and hold on tight.

Paris Adventure - Day 2

July 7, 2014

Today is Monday and I am in Paris, France. I keep saying this because it has finally dawned on me that I am over 3,000 miles away from home on another continent in another country. Wow! Today along with three of my classmates: Toa, Cosha, and Tjaya I toured the city of Paris like I have never toured another city in which I was a visitor. I walked…yes three hours maybe more. I toured the city of Paris. To begin I must tell you about this lovely experience. Tjaya and I waited for Toa and Cosha in the lobby of our hostel, but they were nowhere to be found. She and I decided that we did not want to be late nor miss our guided tour of the city so we struck out on our own with maps in hands, tennis shoes on our feet, and the name of Jesus in our mouths.

Up the street, down the street, down the steps to the Metro with transport pass in our hands we began today’s adventure. Tjaya and I matched up with the names of the places we were headed with the ones on our maps. Needless to say we made it fine. I was worried about my pengyou, Toa (that is friend in Chinese) and Cosha. I looked and looked until I saw them come walking up. Tjaya was worried as well; but we knew the show must go on. We arrived at St. Michel Fountain at about 12:35 pm. Our professor, Dr. Lukosius, told us what we had to do for the day and the tour began at 1 pm so I would like to say, mission accomplished!

We met our guide, Nancy Bentley, from SANDEMANs  neWEUROPE  tour company. Yes, the spelling looks funny, but that is how it is on my ticket from the tour. We walked, it seemed, the length of Paris, but I loved it tremendously. I saw the church of Notre Dame, the river which runs straight through Paris, the only skyscraper in Paris: the French people hate it as they think it ruins the look of this beautiful ancient city. As with anything else, you cannot please everyone, but they did stop with the only one skyscraper.

Nancy, the tour guide explained that King Henri IV was her favorite king. She also told the story of Joan of Arc and how she was considered a witch. Poor Joan! Wanting to answer the call of God and fighting in the war was not a good choice for her as she was killed while trying to do a good deed.
No photo today as I am still learning to navigate this program. I had a photo from yesterday, my hubby, but I did not want to add him today. I have a photo of Joan of Arc's golden statue that I will post tomorrow along with whatever I blog about tomorrow. Merci...I understand what I did wrong with the photo. Done

Paris Adventure: Day 1

Good morning! Well it was a great morning on July 5, 2014. I woke up feeling great and sad all at the same time. I was about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime headed to the three great European Capitals: Paris, France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Berlin, Germany. As you can tell that was the great feeling. Now for the sad part. I was leaving my wonderful husband Ron at home.
To many people this trip is about getting away from people, but to me it's about learning about being enlightened about a new culture that I have never experienced before.
Paris, France by way of Atlanta, Georgia. I am so grateful to God that I have the opportunity to learn about new things instead of always recycling the old information that I already know. A wise person once said that the more you know, the more you grow. The Paris leg of this adventure is the beginning of a fantastic journey that will span across Europe. I look forward to learning more about the people who I am traveling with as well as learning about the people of Paris.
The flight from Nashville to Atlanta was uneventful and a standard flight. Once we arrived in Atlanta I had the opportunity to speak with the other TNCIS students who would be traveling with me to Europe. I tried to do my best to meet and greet everyone in our group. I am terrible with names, but I don't forget a face.
Dee was the first person who actually talked to me with genuine emotion. I talked with two sisters that I have yet to master their names; however, I did speak with their mother and she was nice as well. Before I go any further, everyone was very nice and cordial. I met Hannah again and somehow I knew I would be rooming with her. As a matter of fact I knew this from the first orientation at Columbia State University. Hannah was nice then and is still just as nice now. Jessica, the comedian of our group, is from Memphis, Tennessee and she is hilarious. I met Brad and Kevin who arrived super early at the airport. Lizzie, Michael, the three professors, Ms. Davis, Dr. Northcut, and Dr. Shanklin were all present and accounted for at the Nashville International Airport. I asked several other ladies and gentlemen what their names were and from memory I recall Megan, Melissa, Charity, Emily and others but their names took flight as soon as they gave them to me. I said before, I never forget a face, but a name...
Finally for this first day headed on this wonderful adventure, there is one name that I will never forget...Ronald Henry, the man of my dreams, the father of my children, and my dearest friend. I love him!

Day 2---Paris

July 7, 2014

It is a tired but amazing day for me. Today all of our four marketing students went on a three-hour walking tour. Our tour guide Nancy is a really passion tour guide. I had joined some tours before. The guides just repeated what they said million of times ago, which made me feel so boring. But Nancy is out of their team. She has so many energy and tell you what is this buildings, what is the history about the museums, even told us how does thieves cheat you money.  During our tour, there is a girl let a man from our group to sign something, Nancy just stop this and tell that man she is a cheater want to cheat your money. Back to the buildings and museums, the Louvre Museum gave me the deepest impression. In 1190, a rampart was built around Paris, which was Europe’s biggest city at the time. To protect the capital from the Anglo-Norman threat, the king decided to reinforce its defenses with a fortress, which came to be known as the Louvre. It was built to the west of the city, on the banks of the Seine. After more than two centuries as a royal palace, the Louvre is opened as a public museum in Paris by the French revolutionary government. Today, the Louvre's collection is one of the richest in the world, with artwork and artifacts representative of 11,000 years of human civilization and culture. It’s a pity that I can’t get in there today because we have to move to the next spot. I hope I can back to see the inside of the Louvre Museum before I leave Paris. It definitely an amazing experience in my whole life.

Day 1---Paris

July 6, 2014

It is the real first day for me in Paris because I actually arrived in Paris last night. After I have enough rest, I am on my way to the Aloha Hostel. Taking the subway is not easy for me because of my two big luggages.  But it cannot stop me to experience the Paris transportation. I bought a sim-card, which can let me connect the Internet, so finding the route is not difficult for me. When I go out to have a dinner, I passed the Eiffel Tower. It’s really shock me. I have seen it many times in the pictures and films. But when it appeared in my sight, I really shocked. What a greatest building it is. I can’t wait to explore it. What’s more, when I walk on the street, there always are the pigeons in the street. They are not afraid of people. They just focus on their things. I took of picture of a pigeon, which was just finding some foods. The weirdest thing for me is the sunset in Paris. It is later than Nashville. In summer, the night will show up at about 8pm in Nashville. However in Paris, when I finish my dinner at 9pm. It still looks like afternoon outside. The sunset time is almost 10pm. The last picture below is what Paris looks like in 9pm. My first day filled with lots of shocks and curiousness. I can’t to wait to see the whole Paris.