Paris Deja Vu

I’m writing these words from Paris. My excuse (as if you need one) is that I came to help my adventurous daughter, Sophie, settle in for the spring semester. She can certainly handle the transatlantic flight and meeting of her new roommates in a new apartment, but I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to hop on the plane and travel with her for a week. It’s crazy that many years ago, when I was also 21 and a junior in college, I boarded a plane to study abroad in Paris at the Sorbonne.

In 1985, I had a room in Cité Universitaire,  a large campus housing area with 5000+ rooms for students. I came with an international program, and quickly found myself surrounded by new friends from all over the world. Our common language - French. My plan included meals at a nunnery, which meant fish on Fridays.  Breakfast, lunch, snacks, or any whim in between was a stop at one of the many patisseries along the way. Chaussons de pommes (a.k.a apple turnovers in the US) were my favorites. Yes, in case you were wondering, my clothes were a little tight by the time I returned home.

My classes, all taught in French, included several discussion and conversation classes. One I particularly enjoyed was an architectural walking tour of the city. We would meet weekly and each day, a few students would present (in French) on the history of the day’s sites and neighborhood. I doubt I could have the same level of conversation today, as we had to learn the architectural terms in French and I am not sure that I would remember them in French or in English. 

A week in Paris - what have I been up to? Other than carrying Sophie’s suitcase, I am preparing for a longer, 6 week return trip to Paris in March. I have already rented an apartment, and look forward to checking the neighborhood out. I am packing my easel and paints so that I can work on smaller pieces inspired by my French surroundings. Living in a residential area, I hope to tune up my French by shopping, eating and playing with the locals. 

Museums, flea markets, cafes, and neighborhood markets are all on my shortlist.