Oh la la, Paris, You're My Style

Bonjour!!!

Wow, I'm so sorry I didn't realize it had been a couple days since my last update. Things have been busy busy here which means I've got a lot to cover. Grab a drink and snack and enjoy- it's going to be a long post.

I've come to the realization that red(ish) colored hair is rare in France. It was a bit of a surprise to me. Also, most of the women here have boyish figures, no real curve or shape. So as you could imagine me and my red(ish) hair and my curves were a fresh sight for these men. Most Persians and French people don't smile or make eye contact. Being American, I smiled a lot and I made eye contact. I'm sure that was also a bit unusual. Difference tends to entice people. Most of them just stare, but every so often I get an "Oh la la". I find that really entertaining. When I arrived in Paris I asked my friend what the biggest difference was between American men and French men...she couldn't really answer but i've come down to this- an American man could like you for a year and never tell you or ask you out (can i get an Amen?!) but French men are very vocal and forthcoming about what they think about you. The Oh la la is the perfect example...and most of them ask you to at least share a Coffee or a beer (since they drink at or before every meal there is no time of day a beer isn't acceptable) in the first 5 minutes of knowing you. Some of my favorite quotes of the day have come from the select few men who have approached me. I'll break it down:

Character Drawing Guys- you all have seen them at six flags or any major tourist attraction...these are the people that ask to draw character sketches of you for a couple bucks. There were a ton of these guys most places we went and they were like metal to a magnet when it came to me. There wasn't a one who didn't comment on my face, my eyes or my hair color. My favorite one though said "Oh I like...you're my style. Oh la la". I'm not entirely sure what style that is...but still pretty flattering, right?!

Creepy Dance Guy- there was a group of three guys "dancing". And when I say dancing what i really mean is thrusting their hips and swaying. At the end of their performance one of the guys (the creepiest) came up to me and pointed to his cheek. I hesitated for a really long time because I wasn't even sure I wanted my face anywhere near his. Believe me if you had seen this guy you'd feel the same way. Everyone was staring so i decided to play along...just as I leaned close to his face he whipped his head around and planted one right on my lips. Um, Ew. I'm convinced though, I made his day.

Italian Guy- as we were leaving L'Arc De Triomphe a man passed me and very loudly said "oh la la" i whipped around thinking it was my friend (since i had just been molested by the creepy dance guy, see above). when he saw i turned around he started following me out of the tunnel. We got to the top of the stairs and he stopped me and we chatted for a while. It was about 2 minutes into the conversation he said "I could talk to you for the rest of my life!!!!" He then asked me to have a drink with him by saying "I want to have a drink with my love..." He then promptly started undressing himself so I could check out his skinny body. It took everything in me not to just bust out laughing. I guess what stopped me is he had a really sexy accent.

Direction Guy- I know this sounds funny cause we all know in America a man wouldn't ask for directions if his life depended on it. So, when he approached me asking for directions on how to navigate the Paris metro I knew he had stalked me around the metro for something a little more. My friend and I humored him anyway and gave him directions. After she went to all that trouble he turned and looked at me and asked me to have a beer. Had we not been rushing to catch a train i would have said yes; he was really cute. Anyway, he was really polite and did I mention he was cute? :)

Ok, well besides all the fun I've been having with French men I'll give you guys some other things I've been doing the past couple of days.

L'Arc De Triomphe

This beautiful arch is a symbol of the end of the revolution. There are tons of names and a fire that burns in remembrance of those who lost their lives. It is also surrounded by the biggest traffic circle in the world. It's at the end of a long shopping strip called the Les Champs Élysées. The following pictures are from the arch and the strip.


























The next few pictures are of a concept car at one of the dealers on the strip. I have a couple car nut friends (cough AMS), these are for them:













There is a famous bakery place, LaDuree on the strip as well. They, to my understanding, invented Macaroons (what I call little hamburgers). Of course I had to stop and get a few to taste. Hopefully I'll have time to pick some up and bring the back with me so people can sample them too:




To end the day we stopped to eat at a little cafe close to Notre Dame. I had beouf bourguignon for dinner. It was simply fantastic. The meat was so tender it fell apart on it's own. MMM. This place also served the biggest beer in the world, at least to my knowledge. The glass you have to pick up using two hands.






The next day was by far my favorite day. I got to visit the Musee Du Louvre. In school you learn about all these famous artist and sculptures but it was so special being able to see these historical pieces in person. I was only able to cover 2 wings so I'll definitely have to go back and visit sometime so I can see the rest of the museum. I've included what pictures I was able to take of some well known paintings and sculptures and the outside of the Musee. The original outside of the building is the brown colored houses. Architect Pei designed the glass triangle piece that is now the entrance and focal point of the Louvre.
























Just a couple pieces I liked:





Now some more famous works:



























That was my last full day in Paris. We rode the train to Normandie to bunk up at Ashley's for the next couple of days. Before hopping on the train we stopped to grab and early dinner. I ordered a martini and it came complete with a glow stick- now the party is really getting started. I couldn't help but find that funny...so I took a picture to share. :) Once back at Ashley's we kicked back, had some home made cider and spent the next few hours blowing up an air mattress (only to realize when I went to lay down it had a hole and we had just wasted the last four hours of foot pumping). Just a few silly pics for your pleasure.




This has to be the worlds biggest vending machine. No kidding. It comes complete with drinks, food, laundry detergent, and toilet paper...and of course various other objects. I think America should have some of these....seriously.





Ashley's friend Bertrand in my slippers, ha:



Ashley working hard to blow up my bed:






The past few days have definitely been an adventure. Tomorrow is Sunday and most of the shops and places in Ashley's town will be closed, it'll be nice to have a day to just relax. On Monday I leave for Hungary to spend time with family for the week.

Au Revoir!!!!