Well, this week has been fun, interesting and at times, frustrating.  My friends and I have had some lovely meals, visited some very nice markets and got a guided tour of Montmartre.  I loved Montmarte because we got to see the square where the artists paint right there on the street.  Some of the paintings were just beautiful!  I made it a point to go back once our guided tour was over and spend more time there.  I bought a couple of nice scarves and some awesome perfume that was far cheaper than I expected it to be.

    This week was also our grammar-intensive week, so that part was a bit frustrating.  You can be great at grammar, but once you get to the actual country of the language you’re studying, it’s a whole different ball game.  I learned a lot this past week, but I also learned what I don’t know with respect to grammar.  Tomorrow starts our regular classes, so I’m very excited to finally get started.  I have 4 classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and 1 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Fridays are open days for cultural outings, either on our own or with one or more of our classes.  This Friday, we’re going to Versailles and I can’t wait for that.  I went once 5 years ago, but it’s so huge, it’s impossible to see everything in one day, so I’m looking forward to seeing and learning new things.

A few other trips I’m looking forward to are:  Giverny, Fontainebleu and Vaux le Vicomte.  Those are a little later though, once we get settled into the rhythm of classes and such.  Until, next week, enjoy the pics…

Mary Fisk

What?!  Steelers fans in Paris!  Things are getting out of hand now, but at least they’re civilized and sharing some lovely cheese and crackers.  Wait…where’s the wine?

Some of the beautiful paintings in the Montmarte artist’s square.  I don’t know why some pics wanted to appear sideways, but just go with it… 

Macarons in chocolate shoes!  What!?  That’s crazy…and delicious…and then there’s the shoe store to end all shoe stores…

Location: Paris, France