Shakespeare and Company

    This week my mom came for a visit. My French family was away for the week on a vacation and were gracious in offering my mom a place to stay while here. It was really nice to have her here. I was able to see my mom for the first time in a few months, and I wasn't home alone while the family is gone.

My mom came to visit and she bought
me a really nice winter coat. 

     My mom and I had a grand old time walking around Paris. She was very impressed with the area that I'm living in. I have been very lucky to live in a really beautiful home and a really nice region of Paris.

     I did a lot with my mom. We went to the Holocaust museum of Paris which was one of the best Holocaust museums I have seen. It was very informative, especially on everything that happened in Paris during the German Occupation. The museum was free, but it would be worth any price of admission.

     We went to the Palais Garnier or the Opera house. It same Opera House that the Phantom of the Opera was set in. I love this building. Inside and out it is one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen. My mom loved it because of the atmosphere of the theatre. She loved the displays of costumes and makeup.

Palais Garnier

     Halloween is not celebrated in France, although it is becoming more popular. The children love dressing up and the youth love a reason to go out and party. We wanted to do something that would celebrate the spirit of Halloween, so we were able to find a Haunted Ghost Tour. The group walked around the city while the tour guide talked about haunted stories in Paris History; including the ghost of the Eiffel Tower, the murder of Henry IV, and vampire stories. The guide was very professional and entertaining.

     Although, Halloween is not very celebrated, November 1st is a Holiday called Toussaint or All Saints Day. It is a day to mourn all those who have died. My mom and I went to the Cemetery Père Lachaise Cemetery. There were many locals and tourists gathered there together. 

     

     Both my mom and I loved the Luxembourg Gardens. I loved the environment and my mom loved the actives. There was an area where about 50 adults were playing a game of Boules. Many of the things in the park seemed a bit dangerous by American standard but the kids were orderly and patient. Some of the things in the park included a spider web like monkey bars that reached nearly two stories high, a fast zip line type circular swing around, and a hamster run cylinder. The kids were running off steam and energy. They were in control and no one was getting hurt. My mom compared the garden to heaven. I have to agree, it was a beautiful place. 

Luxembourg Gardens/ Playing Boules

     My mom loves Paris. This is what she sent me in an email: “Me personally, I love the subways, I love Paris even in the rain or cold. I adore the energy, the politeness.”

Brittany loves her grandma glasses 

Batman and Superman 

     I did have a big of an issue this week. I guy that I have met several times before asked me for my number. My mom was with me and he has been very nice. Well two days later he had called me a total of 15 times, including a few after midnight. It got so bad that I considered changing my number (he called me from a few different numbers), but after I sent him a message telling him to stop the calls did stop.

     This weekend I went out with Britney. We walked around a good chunk of Paris. Visiting a few antique markets and looking for fun restaurants to eat at. It was a nice two days of walking around and searching for the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore.

     I know that this is the place that I am supposed to be right now. I love Paris and I love my life here. Thanks for continuing to support me.