The interim trip “American Expatriates in Paris” was a moveable feast in every sense. We studied the journeys of Hemingway and Baldwin and other American writers, who left the country and arrived at Paris, entering an entirely new mindset as they wrote their novels. We attempted to reenact their Paris: see what their eyes saw, feel what their feet felt, seeing and walking through places that they mentioned in their books. We studied the books and the City of Light, illuminating ourselves in this completely different culture.
Paris had a lot of things to offer. Having studied French definitely helped a lot as I interacted with locals, but at times I felt that all I really needed was “Merci,” “Je Voudrais” and “S’il vous plait.” It was important to be polite and respect the language of the French, since many times they would force me to speak the language although most of them knew what was deemed as “Wall Street English,” which just meant they knew enough to do business.
I was fortunate to see and explore a lot while in the City of Light. I went to see historical monuments like the Arc de Triomphe, The Bastille, the Opera Garnier, and the obelisk, among other wonders. I climbed the Eiffel Tower and I saw the spectacular and unique museum of Modern Art, Le Pompidou, which is a museum that is built inside out.
Two of the most meaningful experiences I had in Paris were at the Sacre Couer and The Louvre. The Sacre Couer was the palace like church made out of a refined rock that cleans itself when it rains, letting out this soapy liquid that makes it seem as if it was crying milk. From the Sacre Coeur was a view of the city that was phenomenal. At night, the church glowed magnificently. People gathered around it at evening times to sing songs and be merry.
The Louvre was another great experience. The pyramids of power stood glowingly, and all I could do was stare. The side buildings also stood mirror images of each other, in greatness. It is easy to forget that it is actually a museum inside of what already was a work of art. Yet when you remember what exactly is stored inside, you’ll see why the Louvre is what it is. I saw the seated Ramses the II, the Code of Hammurabi, and the Venus de Milo literally inches away from my face. Seeing all of these at once could be a little overwhelming. But the biggest thing was seeing the Mona Lisa, Da Vinci’s work of art right before my eyes, tangible as the clothes I wore that day.
Overall, my experience was grand. The class was informative and gave much room for exploring and learning on one’s own. I took advantage of every day, venturing every corner and seeing every major sight of Paris, but I still feel that there is so much more beauty to see, especially at night, where the City of Light lives up to its name. I hope one day to go again.
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