Major: Biological Engineering, Class of 2010

How long I studied French: I studied French in high school from 7th through 11th grade, and returned to it in college during my sophomore year.

Favorite part of the trip: The sights, museums, and tours of quartiers were all amazing, but I have to say that my favorite part of the trip was being able to observe simple snapshots of Parisian life – everything from noticing how people on the Métro have no shame pushing you out of their way, to seeing the crowds of shoppers doing their groceries on Sunday, to watching the lycéens smoke and joke around outside of school. I really appreciated how after staying in a new city for two weeks, despite my “touriste” status, I could start to understand the city's rhythm.

Favorite dish: My favorite single dish was a plat du jour of lapin (rabbit) at a tiny bistro Melissa and I found on rue Mouffetard.

Biggest surprise: The moment when I was most surprised (shocked, really), was sometime during the first week when Melissa and I were walking from the Métro stop to our hotel. We had foolishly slipped into English, and all of a sudden a man, who had walked up behind us, screamed “HAPPY NEW YEAR” at the top of his lungs right into our ears. He then told us to enjoy Paris, and kept walking on his way.  I was so surprised, I nearly fell over.

Favorite new vocabulary word: rechauffer. Paris was unusually cold while we were there, so I was always to happy when our guides took short detours inside so that we could “nous réchauffer un petit peu.” 

Favorite place to wander: My favorite place to wander was le Marais – there was always more to discover along the tiny streets and their little shops.

Favorite piece of furniture: My favorite piece of furniture was the chair I sat in at the dinner cruise.  Its design was unremarkable, but the views of Paris it afforded from the Seine were incredible. 

Entries that Elizabeth wrote:

Food: Aux Lyonnais, Falafel restaurant, Street Food

Museums: Louvre, Picasso et les Maitres

Quartiers: Ile de la Cité

Nightlife: Saint Germain de Pres/Rue de Mouffetard

Projects: Sciences Po, The Metro

Theater: Sifters Dinge