"The people want peace; indeed, I believe they want peace so badly that the governments will just have to step aside and let them have it." - Dwight Eisenhower

So anyone on American anti-French sentiment? Neither French fries nor French toast is actually French, yet their names were changed in the Congressional cafeteria. Everyone here has been friendly and understanding, even though they don't agree with Bush's foreign policy. But lots of anti-war protests, epecially in Paris.

Okay, on to me. . .

Monday we had class and more French lessons. I think it will take me awhile. And unless you go into classy places, people are fairly understanding when I have a hard time. Florence is much more of a tourist town with much more English.

Tuesday we had class and a free afternoon. I spent most of my time catching up on reading--but I also figured out how to buy stamps and phonecards. I opened my phone line in my dorm room--the tones are really different, kind of low and electronic. Each local call costs money. Kinda different. . .

Wednesday we didn't have class and went to Versailles. Wow. It is easy to see why the French people rebelled against the monarchy after visiting the palace. First of all, it's huge. The front facade is large and daunting. Inside the rooms are so over decorated that it is almost hard to believe somone chose it. The ceilings are covered with paintings and gold framing, and the walls are many different colors of marble, covered with silk and tapestries. The hall of mirors was long, large and must be impressive at sunset.

Oh shoot--people are signed up to use this computer, and I need to be at the Louvre in an hour. You'd think that would be plenty of time, but the Metro takes a while. . .

 
Yet again, too much to say and no time to say it!

So today is the day. Please don't attack Iraq.

Whoever is next on my computer is up. More later.

 
First weekend in Paris

So now you'll get the short version of this week.

Friday night went to see a moive. Expensive. Very nice theater though. We saw Chicago, which I would only recommend if you like musicals. It was well-done, but nothing spectactular.

Satuday Libby and I were going to go to a war protest, but we couldn't figure out where it was. Turns out it was located right near our classroom building, where the Bastille used to be. 80,000 protesters or something. Crazy.

Also, I went across the street to the park and got kissed by an old man, on the lips!! AHHH!!! I typed out the whole story, but it got lost and I'm not up for that again. Maybe later. Let's just say I thought he was a nice old man trying to make conversation (he knew no English) and when I went to go, he did the three kiss on the cheek bit, and then said 'la bouche' which I'd learned in French class means the mouth. Yuck yuck yuck. It was like being pursued by my great-uncle or something. In summary, it was disturbing and gross and I will never go to the park alone, or talk to anyone. I was so mad for a while that I had to walk it off. Grr.

Sunday I went to Norte Dame for Mass, which was pretty cool. They let tourists wander around the side asiles of the church during mass, which was rather distracting. But it was better than the man infront of me, who videotaped the whole mass!! AHH!!! We're all at different stages, on different paths I guess.

Norte Dame was very impressive, especially to see it being used for its purpose, rather than visiting as a tourist. The whole mass was in French, but I was able to understand quite a bit. Exciting. Okay, well, I've used quite a bit of time, so I'll fill in this story later. Paris is lovely, despite it all. . .

 
I just lost my last post, which I spent 40 minutes typing. Dah.