Nostalgie de Paris

I saw Paris on the news last night and nearly launched my slipper at the TV presenter, hissing wildly. Okay, exaggeration, but I am missing Paris more than I thought I would. It's been over a month since I first met Lionel now and, as he also studied in Cachan (I know right), we talk a lot about Paris. As much as I adore Berlin, love living here and feel more comfortable in Germany anyway, it's true what they say about Paris- there really is something about it. I feel a bit sorry that I didn't live in the city itself and I am now seeing pictures on Facebook from my friends who still live there (namely Andrea who takes incredible photos) and I'm all jealous because spring there looks gorgeous! Oh well. I still had an amazing time and I don't doubt I will go back.

So have some pictures, while I find a good creperie to visit with Lionel on Friday evening.

A short but pleasing video of Lewis and I at a pub in Montmartre on  my 21st

And one of my absolute favourites, taken on our last walk along the river

I thought I might be meeting Jean tonight, but I haven't heard from her in a few days, so before anxiety sets in (who I am kidding, it already has) and I start (already am) worrying whether I've made her hate me, she's bored of me, or even dead or seriously ill, I am going to finally finish the last story in the Sherlock Holmes collection.

Bis bald
xx

Crying, sprinting, puking, climbing - lots of extreme verbs this week

Salut tout le monde! I've now been here a month and am now a 21 year old honorary Parisian. My birthday weekend was brilliant and I'm so pleased Lewis came to visit. We've now been tolerating each other for six years, and here's to sixty more!

I love you man

The beginning of the week was spent in a constant state of excitement and impatience. I realised that our uni is really close to the Jardin du Luxembourg, thanks to Niamh who took me there on Tuesday afternoon. I really need to stop taking the metro everywhere and walk. On Wednesday, I had a German presentation on Til Schweiger, which went down an absolute treat actually. I've been a bit concerned about my German, but after a few grammar lessons and that presentation, I feel much better and even managed a whole conversation in German with Joachim and Polymnia tonight. Granted, it was about chocolate but it counts, okay?

I have finally eaten some pie! It's been pretty impossible to find something even slightly resembling a steak and kidney pie here, but thanks to Joe, there was pie. Took us about three hours to cook (what is it with blokes and instructions) but it was so damn good. 

This is actually a gross picture, but it was really nice

I spent Friday wandering around Paris waiting for Lewis to arrive. I've found my new favourite shop: Freepstar. It is fantastic. I bought 2 shirts and 3 jumpers for 5 euros. I think it's my new home. Anyway, Friday was a bit of a nightmare actually because guess what? The RER B was on strike. Thanks guys. Thanks a lot. Me and Lewis had to come home super early because the trains were all messed up, nice one.

So my actual birthday was Saturday and I'm pretty privileged to have spent it by the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Couer and the Arc de Triomphe. Sacre Coeur was absolutely beautiful and well worth the climb- the view of the city from the top is actually breathtaking.

I should climb stuff more often

We had a couple of beers in an Irish pub round the corner from Sacre Coeur, where a very jolly french man played the accordion and sang 'champs elysees' and 'la vie en rose'. It was pretty French and I loved it. We were supposed to be meeting Joe at the Arc de Triomphe but we were so late, mainly because Lewis needed the toilet and I lost him in a crowd. Both my phones were dead, so I had no way of contacting them. After sprinting through the tunnel to the arch (yes, you read sprinting correctly), I asked this French man if I could use his phone. I must have told him it was an English number about 20 times, but it was all okay and we all found each other and started my birthday celebrations looking at a glittery Eiffel Tower. Pas mal!

Why do I always tilt my head like this?

We headed over to Saint Michel (which is fast becoming my favourite part of Paris, I always seem to be there) and had too many pints at a bar called Polly Magoo or something. Lewis and Joe clubbed together and bought me a white rose, which I lost later :(

It's my birthday, I'll look insane if I want to

I'm a camera hog, soz

I was worried (of course I was) about how we were going to get home as we'd long missed the RER and I had no idea how much a taxi would be, but it turned out to be 17 euros! Perfect.

Unfortunately, I spent the next morning feeling a little worse for wear and actually ended up throwing up against a tree on the way to the train station. Stay classy, Kirsty. Lewis and I did have a nice day though and ended the evening with a beer at a gay bar in le Marais. Of course we did!

I left Lewis wandering on his own today while I was at uni, and collected him afterwards. We just wandered around again, had another beer, lost Lewis' tabacco and very nearly missed his train. My room is far too empty now :(

On the brighter side of things, I HAVE A TOASTER. It was my birthday present from Joe, what a diamond. No more fried crumpets for me!

FRIED EGG ON TOAST HERE I COME

I apologise for the capitals, but maybe you don't understand. I haven't had toast in a month. That isn't right.

I also have a little job, go me right. The woman at reception here wants me to help her with her English and is going to pay me 10 euros an hour, I am actually so grateful for this!

Sadly, it's back to the real world in the morning, no more romping around Paris with my bezzer. C'est la vie.