JOYEAUX ANNIVERSAIRE DRAVEN!!!!

Happy Birthday Draven, or as they say in France, joyeaux anniversaire!! (have Pappa say it to you!) I hope you have a fantastic 8th birthday and get everything you wish for!! You are a smart, sweet boy and I am so glad you are my nephew! I love you lots!!!! XOXO Aunt Jennifer

As for the rest of you...you may be surprised to know that the metro has lost its charm. It was funny being a sardine several times a day for a week, but now that it's hot and sweaty, it's just plain old nasty! Now I know why everybody has a grumpy look on their face!

Stacey and I went to see the Marie Antoinette exhibit at the Grand Palais this morning. The guard asked what we were looking for and we said "Marie Antoinette" to which the guard replied, "She is dead." Who says the French don't have a sense of humor?! But the joke was on us in the end because the exhibit was closed today. I won't have the chance to go back, either, so that is a bit of a bummer.

Just as we were deciding what to do next, the unthinkable happened - my purse broke! The handle just ripped (which I am sure makes you wonder about the weight of the contents of said purse, so let's just say that when I come home from this trip, my biceps and shoulders will be ripped!) What I had to do next was horrible. I had to go purse shopping! I know, I know...purse shopping in Paris! Oh the horror! Actually, I was a little bummed because I wanted to get an outfit, but now I am stuck with a new purse...sigh! Poor me. *LOL*

After our shopping excursion, we went to class where the temperature was about 8,000 degrees, then onto the metro where it was slightly warmer at 10,000 degrees. When I got home, the first thing I did was head straight for the shower. Thus far, showers have been weird b/c they don't waste water in France...you get wet, turn off the water, lather up, rinse, turn off the water, wash your hair, rinse, turn off the water, condition your hair, rinse, turn off the water, shave, rinse, turn off the water. If you don't do it this way and just let the water run like at home, the hot water is gone in about 2 minutes. But, on a day like today, that was not a problem!

Thanks to everyone who has been posting - it has been so nice to hear from you all. Even though my trip has been wonderful, I am definitely ready to be home with my family and friends. You all get a small reprieve today in that I didn't take any pictures (sorry, none of my new purse...I know you're disappointed). Only 4 days to go, so hang in there with me just a little bit more...

Tune in tomorrow for the Paris Catacombs and Picpus Cemetery!!!

Les Femmes Tondues

"Germany Wins on All Fronts" - the Eiffel Tower (Getty Images) It is no great secret that some French collaborated during the Nazi Occupation of France. Some did it for less than admirable reasons, such as political gain, anti-Semitism, or true fascist ideology. Other people were frightened and saw no end to the Occupation, while some were motivated simply by the desire to survive. Many women who collaborated fall into the latter category. French women and German soldiers enjoying lunch at a café (Unidentified Photo Source) Food, clothes, and fuel (among other items) were scarce during the Occupation. Nearly everything needed to sustain life was rationed, and much of France's food and other necessary commodities were shipped to Germany. One way to ensure warmth and a full belly was by making nice with a German soldier. A French woman chats with a German soldier in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Occupation In a desperate attempt to survive,

A Little Zazou ~ Pour Vous

Sorry Disney fans, but I am not talking about Simba's little feathered hornbill friend in the Lion King (that's spelled Zazu anyway). No, I am talking about the Zazou Jazz Era that began in Interwar Paris and les zazous who, in their own way, defied Vichy and the Nazis when they occupied France during the Second World War. Thanks to my ADD that always manages to kick in when I am supposed to be doing serious research, I stumbled upon the concept of zazou when I was - you guessed it - researching for my Master's thesis on the French Resistance last year. While I was disappointed that I could not use this newfound knowledge in my thesis, all was not lost. This detour introduced me not only to the fascinating history of les zazous , but some really remarkable Manouche Jazz (a.k.a. Gypsy Swing Jazz) that I knew would some day make a great blog. Lucky you, mes chers , that day is today! What the Heck IS Zazou? Zazou describes a style of jazz as well as a

La Rafle du Vel d’Hiv (The Vel d’Hiv Round Up)

Photo Source: 1 st Art Gallery Every Holocaust survivor – every ghost of those who did not survive - has a story to tell. Each story is unique, yet equally tragic. Some we have heard more than once, while others lay silent, buried in the dusty pages of a nation’s shame… Occupation and Anti-Semitism 14 June 1942 marked the two-year anniversary of the Nazi occupation of Paris. By this point, many French had joined the Résistance , while others felt it in their best interest to collaborate with the Nazi regime. Many Jews had fled France, and those who remained behind lived in chronic fear. The Jewish Decrees (France's version of the Nuremberg Laws) saw the Jews of Paris stripped of their livelihoods, property, and rights. As in other occupied areas of Europe, the French Jews were required to wear the yellow stars of David. Inscribed with a single word in the center, Juif (Jew), the badges had to be sewn neatly on the left side of the chest. Failure to do so coul

Bill said…

A broken purse? Don't worry about it, just buy a few more...what is money when you are in Paris??? The kids and I want you to know that you can feel free to buy as many purses and dresses as you want because we have started a saltine diet to prepare for the loss of food money!!!! HA HA Just kidding. We love and miss you - sorry about the M.A. exhibit being closed.

By the way, you have to have a sense of humor when you are constantly waving white flags and putting your arms up!!!!

-Bill

June 24, 2008 at 4:04 PM

Anonymous said…

Aaaaaahhhh...your posts just remind me of why we are friends...you are such a dork!!! Sounds like you are having a blast. You're as happy as I would be if I were seeing Lenin in person...that's estatic.

Your life is very good right now, isn't it?? : ) : ) : )

I posted a history comment on your guitar hero entry...I have a theory. So check it out.

Must go play with Elise!

Your comrade in nerdom--Truly

June 24, 2008 at 5:26 PM

Jen!
Wow---what an adventure you are having. I was completely envious of you for this journey before you left, and now even moreso as I read your blog.
Your pictures are great, and it sounds like you getting the absolute MOST out of each day...Take it all in!
Can't wait to hear more...

Mark Sundberg

June 24, 2008 at 6:34 PM

aunt pam said…

I guess it's good that the grass on the otherside of the fence isn't really greener...but it's nice to find that out up close and personally! Home IS where the heart .....

June 24, 2008 at 9:28 PM

le blog

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