Madeleine

Micha

2010-06-13T23:57:00.000+02:00

Micha was here!! Weeeiii!
We keep the tradition of seeing each other every year. We've done Munich, Stuttgart, Stockholm, Rome, Amsterdam and now Paris. Well done I say.

It was nice to see him again. Good timing because the "British boys" cleaned out their apartment and packed up their life to leave Paris. It was painful to see. I have gotten used to saying goodbye to people but it always stings when you are approaching the end of a beautiful road. I wish I could go back but it's a one way street. You cannot back into it as they do in Paris, you simply have to accept that it's one way and one time. You'll always have the memories and new friendships.

Micha is a living example of this! Four years and we're still close friends. We packed the days full with activities
Day 1: Arrival, ceremony, hospital, Tour Montparnasse and film

Day 2: Marais,shopping, falafel, place des Vosges, drink at La Perle, Châtelet, Notre Dame, walk along Seine, Louvre, Tour Eiffel, dinner, Frog and his brother and Helena joined us for drinks, Oberkampf and back to Marais, taxi home.

Day 3: Clignancourt market, Champs Elysée, Arche de Triomphe, Luxembourg garden, hospital, home get ready for dinner, proper nice dinner in Montmartre, thank you Micha! out at Chacha, club close to Louvre-Rivoli.

Day 4: Bye bye Micha =(

Til next time, new city, new adventures!

Birthday and Biarritz

2010-06-13T23:44:00.000+02:00

I feel I haven't updated for quite some time now. I'm looking through pictures to remember what I've done the past weeks...
I think I left of at the beautiful sunrise at Sacre Coeur... So that evening Madeleine and Mika came over and saw the apartment, we had a classic wine evening with home made chocolate cake, strawberries and vanilla cream, yummy! I treated Mika to a massage and later the boys came over to try some of the almost non existing cake (what do you expect when you leave four chocolate crazy girls with a cake in front of them...?)

The past weeks me and Julia have tried to do the things we've missed, like Pompidou (modern art still isn't my cup of tea) I did get offered a role in a short film though by some creepy artist, I said no.... Trying to walk to La Fayette we got lost and found the cutest and oldest little galerie with old book shops and a vintage store. Adorable!

We went to a jazz club called La caveau in Saint Michel. Located in the most touristy area it is really genuine and cute. Bartender is funny, band is great, atmosphere pleasant, top grades really! Got to dance some swing as well!

Oh and it was my birthday! Hip hip hurrah! 22 years old, wow...
We started the day before with Mika, Julia, Helena, my two old room mates from mexico, two girls from Denmark, Fynn and Phil, pic nic in the park of a student residence. We had such a great and crazy night, I got thrown in the air by the boys, we jumped through bushes (nothing I haven't done before), I tried, successfully, to climbed a very big fence, got some bruises but I made it, and then we biked all the way home, about 50 minutes...

With very little sleep, some of us had none, we made our way to Chateau Versailles! The garden is one of the most beautiful places I've seen, it wasn't too crowded either so it felt rather peaceful.

We had a party at the "British boys" house, farewell and B'day party! So much fun, some girls from Estaca had baked me a birthday cake (never met them before so this was very sweet!) and Fynn baked a banana toffee cake (it's a pie, I know!)
I got some great presents but best of all was being with the people who made my trip so great!

Shots in a Swedish flag (Vodka, orange juice and Curaca and vodka, some contain gin also)

Estaca "shitaca" crowd

I left the house at 5.00 to wake Julia up after 2 hours sleep. We packed and at 7.10 we took the train to Biarritz! Wohooo!!! Sleep zzzzzz, at least the 5 hour train ride went really quickly. We were greeted by nice weather and Flo whos couch we stayed on. I really randomly ran into Gustav Sverin from my high school. The world is a small place!

The weather went on to get shitty so we decided to try surfing! You know what... We rocked it!

Surfing is not easy.... But we managed to stand up the first time and our instructor said I did très bien! =D

Second time we tried, we went with a group who'd done surfing for some time, so I was a little worried about the level. The weather was shit, it was raining and the waves quite high. I'm not super confident in water so I was a little scared. I did get the board in my head the first day so after that I kind of felt like, well, that was the worst that could happen so... This time felt more scary because you were out on deeper water and once you got out it was fine, but if you managed to catch a wave and wanted to go out again after you had to go through all the broken waves coming your way. It was not easy, and they knock you over, but as soon as you get up over the surface again, another one comes! Really tiring and finally I managed to locate the instructor and he took us in to more shallow water. The third and last day went really really well! I stood up most times, all the way to the beach and I even managed to catch an unbroken wave and follow it sideways! So proud!

We had one day of good weather and we got super burnt. "It's the only day with sun, let's skip sun screen and just fry ourselves all day" great idea Madeleine....

Biarritz is beautiful, I'd love to go back, and I definitely want to do surfing again!

The life of Madeleine

2010-05-29T13:49:00.000+02:00

Recently in The life of Madeleine: devastated when she lost her favourite neckless, the first-time visit at the Opèra made up for it a bit, however a couple of days later she comes home to two burned scarfs, and later that day she finds out she's a victim of fraud.... You are watching, The life of Madeleine.

That is what my life feels like right now. Random things just keep happening, one accident seems to carry several more. It's a package deal, buy one get 15 for free. The words of Amanda: "Luck? Do you even know how to spell it?"
Apparently not. But with all the bad luck I've had recently I'm sure hoping for some good! Although, it's not all bad.

Market at Clignancourt

Parc Monceau

I went to the Opèra the other night, with Mika and her friend. We saw La Bayadère. It was indescribable. I have no words. I was smiling through the 3 hour show. Wow! Simply incredible...

After the ballet I went to Celine's, drank a decent amount of cheap wine, and ended up biking home in socks from Panthéon to Montmartre. It's not that far actually and the Vélib system is really good!

I've been able to visit Jen the other day. She's better. I'm really happy and relieved!

We have visited Musée de l'Orangerie, eight massive paintings by Monet. They were fantastic, it's definitely one of my favourite museums. They also had a collection of Renoir and Cézanne. Go there!! Loved it!
Madeleine church has also been crossed of the list of touristy activities left to do before leaving Paris.

Yesterday Mika had her goodbye dinner. DON'T LEAVE! =( It was really nice to meet the good ol' gang again! Madeleine, Björn, Enrique, Anton, Frog, old flatmates and a Danish girl. This is where we had our first dinner together, and now also our last... (maybe)

This morning I went up at 5.00 AM, I woke the girls up and half past we walked up to the Sacre Coeur to watch the sunrise. It was definitely worth it!

These are the moments that make it all worth it.
Some damn idiot has signed a new phone contract in my name. Don't understand how. So much has happened the past weeks that I just don't care. I almost just felt like laughing. I did laugh. What worries me is what might come into the light later on... Will he/they/she be able to do something else with whatever information they have? Little bit scary...

I'm glad I have my friends and I'm so happy that I have the best mother in the world.

Cykelpump

2010-05-26T14:27:00.000+02:00

Exams are now completely over. It went well, I think. Under the circumstances really well. Oral was yesterday, describe a picture. I got four beige men, sitting by beige desks in a beige room in a police station. Very beige. I did alright though.

I've realised that the past few months I've been around a lot of death. The entire trip in Paris has been shadowed by life coming to an end, which is a great contrast to spring in Paris when it feels like life begins. Maybe that's why I've felt it even more. I left just after the loss of my last standing ancestor; my grandmother. (Overly dramatic, but then isn't life as well?) As the trees grew greener and the flowers bloomed so did the cancer of both my grandmother's closest friend and a dear family friend, as well as my mum's closest friend. The first mentioned gave in a few months ago to the same cancer that took my grandmother away. The latter is still fighting. He has been with me all through my childhood, as far as I can remember. He's been like a father and a really annoying brother at the same time. I'll always remember his useless jokes:
"I spika betar änglish dan jo" and of course
"Want to hear a funny word....: Bikepump (Cykelpump)"
It feels weird not being able to be there with him during his last hours. Taking the first plane there, I still might not get there in time. It's hard. I am tired of death. I want life.

No matter how hard your life feels, at least you have your health, your friends and the world at your feet.
Go live!

Revision!

2010-05-22T00:12:00.000+02:00

So, revision. Oh yeah, I think during my two years half out of school I somewhere misplaced my study-skills. Or maybe just my motivation... Tomorrow there is the exam, the dreaded exam where my French will be put to the test, c'est une emmerde (it's a pain in the butt, that'll be useful in the exam...)... I have to say though that the circumstances have been rather unusual and difficult so maybe it would have been different. It is the way it is and the French grammar can bite me! Do you want to make it just a little bit more complicated please!? Future in the past, pronouns in the middle of two verbs except for this this and this, prepositions (my favourite) and why not make a few more verb forms? Nevermind. Instead of studying I have engaged in other activities!

Sunday, I took Jess and Jem to Le Marais for some vintage shopping and the must-have falafel! Oh so good... Shopping was short but sweet, definitely successful! I said au revoir and went home to watch a film with my dear flatmate Julia and the Irish and Scottish boys. We watched 500 days of summer. Never heard of it before, quite enjoyed it. Different take on a love story...

Jules and I have made a habit of going out walking every morning. We live in the Montmartre so there are a lot of stairs to climb!

Half the stairs done!

The last to go!

Quite a view...

Legendary picture!

It's such a nice area. If you want to live in Paris you want to live here! It's a more relaxed part, doesn't feel as pretentious as the center sometimes can perceived as. People aren't as arrogant, it's beautiful and very picturesque. (With the ghetto area just around the corner though, all part of the charm!) I've really fallen back in love with Paris after a little rough path. Paris will always be in my heart. There is something special about this city...

I just need to say that the French bureaucracy is RIDICULOUS! Everything here is so complicated. I'm in the process of cancelling mine and Jen's internet contract. They have hundreds of stores but no, you can't cancel it here, you have to call this number. Fine, I'll call... Don't understand shit so Frog calls for me. You can't cancel it unless you have a certain number. Right, shit, I have to send a stupid letter then... I find the number, so we call again, and the girl says: "Ok, so you send a letter to this address explaining why you want to cancel your contract and they will send you a letter back telling you where to return the box". COULD YOU NOT HAVE TOLD ME THIS THE FIRST TIME?! It would have saved me about 5 euros since the mobile prices here are insanely expensive! Arrgghhhh! So I've sent the stupid letter explaining why I want to cancel it, I wrote it in anger so I literally wrote because my room mate fell out the window and is at the hospital, I had to move so we obviously don't need it anymore... Never write or say anything in a state of anger... You have to agree with me that it's all rather ridiculously complicated?
C'est la vie en France....

A big blob of time

2010-05-17T20:03:00.000+02:00

Time has become blurred, the days go into each other and it all becomes minutes, hours of a roller coaster of emotions. Stress, sadness, happiness, hysterical laughing, anxiety attacks, heart ache, relief, worry.

"She'll be OK" I said. "It's critical" the doctors say. I still say she'll be OK. She has to.
Her sister and father are here. I see the stress, anxiety and panic in their eyes. Well enough having to deal with the thought of losing a sibling, a daughter; they also have to sort out the practical things, school, apartment, insurance.

I have moved. I had to. I'm so lucky to have so many caring friends. I've had the opportunity to stay with many people and I really appreciate it, but I wanted my own place. I wanted and needed the security of my own place, a safe spot. Julia moved with me. It's a thrill, I love her. We love the new apartment! Moved in Friday night, just hours after my dear mother left and my cousin Jemma and her friend Jess came to visit. Not the best timing but it forced me in one way to get back into real life. The fact is that I can't sit in the hospital 24/7, I'm not allowed to see her and the doctors won't speak to anyone but the family. 3 hours is the visiting time we re given to see Jen and of course the family should have every second of that ridiculously short time.

As I sent Jem and Jess away to tourist attractions Julia and I settled in in the new place. It's literally five minutes from Sacre Coeur. It's so beautiful and so big (Paris-wise)! We had a little move-in party Saturday night, the Scottish, Irish and British guys came around (so much easier to just say British but comme tu veux) as well as Björn, Anton and Enrique. We ended up playing poker til 4 am. I'm never inviting you guys to poker again. Especially not Joe.... It was a very pleasant evening, and it's nice to know that life does go on and even though you sometimes feel like you just want to break down and cry you have people around you that make you feel better.

Big dinner table!

My wonderful cousin Jem and her equally wonderful friend Jess

Oh, yes, playing with actual money! I teamed up with Fynn (spelled correctly this time) to increase my chances of staying in the game longer than three rounds.

School. Uh, just no. I just have no energy for school and know what?! Exams are on Saturday... Wohoo...

Last I just want to say thank you to Celine and Frog in particular for being there for me and Julia.

New perspective

2010-05-12T17:59:00.000+02:00

Its strange how your life can change in a matter of seconds. Just one event, one decision can change everything. The window shot changed it all...
It has now been almost three days since the accident. I dont know what to say, what to do. I have no energy. I feel like I'm walking around in a dark tunnel, where occassionally some light finds it way in. Seeing her was a kind of strained relief. She's seriously injured but will be OK. No trauma to the head or the spinal cord. That was good news. And surprising too. It's a long distance from the third floor to the ground, she is lucky to be alive. Exetremely lucky.

I keep seeing images in my head. The hand dropping from the rail.The run downstairs, the longest run in my life. The sight of her in fetal position on the ground. Open eyes... She's dead. I took her head in my hands. She was breathing. She looked at me. Eyes filled with pain and fear. I fought the panic that was constantly growing inside me. Julia sat next to me, call the ambulance! What's the number?! I didn't know... I didn't fucking know!! The neighbour yells out, I've called them! Ok, try to remember Madeleine, what do you do in a situation like this? Don't move her, she has highly likely damage to her head and spinal. I kept her head in line with her spine. She's bleeding from the back of her head. She's bleeding from her mouth. She tries to turn around. -Keep still darling; I know it hurts but I need you to stay still. Don't move! You are going to be OK, I hear my voice saying. My mind is screaming.
The pompiers comes. They tell me to move. Grab her head, I tell them. I move. I cry. My body is shaking. My hands are covered with blood. I have her blood on my hands. Name? Age? Passport? What happened? Questions! What did happen? One second we were dancing and singing and posing for the camera, next second I'm sitting here.

Julia and I went to school today. Exams are in 10 days. Exams. Apartment. Internet. Practical things. I don't want to. I want to sleep, I want this nightmare to be over. I want her to wake up. I want this experience erased from my life. I want to go back in time and nail the windows shut! But I can't. No one can. I have a new outlook on life. Life is fragile; life is precious, we are not invincible. I am strong. But I am human. I will survive. Julia will survive. She will survive. This memory will survive, it may fade with time as all things do, but it will always exist.

I love you, my crazy girl.

Love, drinks and poker!

2010-05-09T16:00:00.000+02:00

This blogging thing is a little annoying but I've realised that it's great for remembering what you've done! So here goes a quick recap of the week and weekend.
Thursday had a to be a quiet one, reserved for studying. Got quite a little bit done, but oh well. Friday was all the more fun! Jen, Julia, Celine and I went out after me and Celine very cheekily booked tickets back from Biarritz. So now we pretty much have to go! We went to rue Mouffetard, where we've never ever been before......... Started off with drinks at Chez Felix:

I ordered a Pina Colada a partager between two. Ended up drinking most of it myself... Also treated Julia to a nice blue poisonous shot which I think had her pretty much ready for the night!
Then we went to New York Café and sang karaoke! Four of us on the stage singing Britney Spears - Hit me one more time, legen..wait for it.. dary! We even got high fives going off the stage... Stars born to perform!
We moved on to another little bar to meet up with Björn and the guys. Good night good night indeed! (Yes I like that word...)

Saturday! Alarm at 9.00, powerwalk! Yeah yeah, did I really believe that was going to happen? No no, up at 12, ready for a day of shopping! We went for a jumper hunt, first to one H&M, then to the other further up in Chatelet to find medium, which they didnt have either so back again, I've done H&M enough for a long time now! Mango has really nice dresses in though, so many deliciously bright summer dresses! I firmly and successfully resisted. We made our way to Marais, Jen made some real catches, had a falafel before heading home to get ready again. We met Björn and the guys in the park, it started raining of course but it was very cosy anyway.

We just chatted and played stop! At closing time we made our way to the British/Irish/Scottish guys apartment to continue the festivities. Drinks, music and poker dominated the great evening. Of course I was the first one out, see why I don't play strip poker? Fortunately we didn't play with money so I didn't lose anything except my pride... I can live with that though... I joined up with Björn and we did really well until he kicked me off his lap, then he lost it all. In your face Björn!

The cards and the chips disappeared and a guitar appeared! Yay, sing along! Finn, the Scottish guy thought I had a good voice. He must have been temporarily deaf or just really drunk.....

(I'm thinking drunk)

At 4 we gave in, woke up again at 10 and enjoyed pouring water on people from the balcony....

Okej, I'll do some actual studying now. Oh and we booked the tickets to Biarritz!! Weeiii, 5-9 June by the sea!

Concert crash

2010-05-06T11:38:00.000+02:00

Back to real life (in Paris!), school and morningwalks in the park. I love that there is always something going on in Paris. Tuesday night, Kelis was on at Fleche d'Or. I admit that I'm not entirely familiar with her music except for Trick me, Millionaire Milkshake but still, who'd turn down a concert for 8 euros one drink included?! No one sane...
So off we were, standing in the queue about an hour before doors open, frickin cold it was! Sunshine and heat, why did you leave Paris? Please come back, I beg of you. My always-cold fingers could have worked as ice blocks! We eventually got in to the pleasant sauna of fleche d'or, great for any viral upper respiratory tract infection also known as a cold...
The pre-bands of Laura Marling were fantastic so no doubt we had high expectations for the band warming up for Kelis. You'd think that they would choose a band in the same category as Mrs Nas, hip hop, RnB etc. Oh deary me... No. Instead they give us a band not even remotely close to the genre. I can't exactly describe the music, maybe bad indie rock with a hint of hardrock and techno. Get my point? The singer's voice wasn't too bad, I think, the instruments pretty much drowned her out so we only heard the occasional english word, so I'm guessing she sang in english. Then it was the entire performance, they were weird or trying to be weird, she danced as if she wanted to look drugged and in to her music but it was just awkward and forced. Why pick a band like this when the crowd is quite clearly not indie. Julia, Celine, Fransesca and I sat outside waiting for the horror to end, anf eventually a DJ started playing, I think he struggled about with the hip hop theme as well, but it was fun and the music was good. After three hours though, you didn't really care cause where the fuck is Kelis?!

We had to take the last metro at 23.58 so to make that we had to leave quarter to. She came on 23.35... The crowd was not happy but as soon as she hit the stage everything lit up and the entire evening went into a pink shimmer, she's a great performer, captured the audience and got everyone in a great mood. So it was a bit shit having to leave after 15 min but at least we saw her and heard the best songs...

So it wasn't a total train wreck...
Pete Doherty yesterday was definitely a train wreck, it was a fucking plane crash. I like Truskel, it's a really cool place and yesterday they had a surprise concert with Pete D, the former boyfriend of Kate Moss and Amy Winehouse, ex member of the Libertines and Babyshambles and mainly known for his massive drug addiction. Yes I'm asking myself the same question, why did I even bother going?

We had a nice time until we went up to the stage area, it was frickin crowded, I could physically not move, not even my hands and people were pushing and trying to get through and just being the regular jackass. In the words of my beloved roommate: "Who the fuck does he think he is, to let us wait over an hour for him to rock up" Scandalous but predictable. As soon as I saw his pale ruined crack face I was satisfied and could leave. So we did, getting out was NOT fun, a room full of drunk and probably drugged people, packed like fucking sardines was not my idea of a nice night out. I should have been able to guess I suppose, but the what, at least I can say that I've seen Pete D! Then again, why the hell would I want to be able to say that?

Spring holiday!

2010-05-04T10:47:00.000+02:00

So, you got a little pre-taste of what's to come. Helena and I packed our bags and a little late, a little ill and a little extremely excited we made our way to the train to begin our journey to Montpellier! Wohoo!

We are well greeted with a warm, humid spring night and a very happy Julia at place de la Comedie. A glass of wine later it's time for the bed. Pleasantly surprised we go to bed in our own room, no dorm, we have breakfast included in the morning and it's actually quite fresh. The only complaint was the damn door... We had to spend at least 5 minutes and 50 swipes to get a green light, once the green light shone we had to break our way in with force to open the door and that quickly before the light went out and the process started all over again. This is til we realised that you pull, turn, push and not turn, throw yourself at the door....

(We forgot towels...)

BEACH! Oh dear beloved sun caress my body and bronze my skin. After two whole days at the beach we were almost tanned, my legs aren't too bad... I'm very pleased. The best part though was playing volleyball with Carl and his friend Sebastian. Julia went to school with Carl who is now studying French in Montpellier. It was great fun and we did well! Just barely bruised, tragically tired muscles (its the gym that priority one once back in Swedenland!), sun kissed skin and a somewhat sore mind we went out for sushi. Next day we were up early to profit as much as possible from the sun and the heat.

In the afternoon Carl and his friends rocked up, we played volleyball, I managed to brutally tackle a 5 year old, yeah thats how its done! Great job Madeleine. His mother was not particularly happy, BUT she was the one who threw me the ball, so if your kid is in the way its not my problem! (He was totally fine), we decided to stop when we nearly killed a little baby, not my fault! I only hurt one kid a day... Julia also managed to tackle my foot so I got a bump literally 1,5 cm high, it looked worse than it felt. However, the combination of my injury, rocking my jeans shorts cowboy style (managed to drop my undies on the parking lot while walking to the dressing rooms... Great,
wasn't going to pick them up! So there they lied, bright yellow int he middle of the street...) and missing the second bus because of a big group of wreckless, annoying little brats I lost it. Helena made it on the bus, while Julia and I were left for the second time. There's one bus every half hour (France!!!) and about 100 people waiting again... So we walked to the next bus stop, me not having anything to throw at something, took my anger out by screaming, very mature... We decided to hitchhike home instead of chancing it with the next bus. Eventually a really nice black well-polished Mercedes stops and gives us a ride back to town. Perfect! Instead of a sweaty bus we get a first class ride. The man driving us was an old Italian and I kept my guard even though he made no attempt at anything. It was actually a very pleasant trip, I got to speak French and discuss the Roman civilisation, the renaissance and Mussolini's time in power. All in French!! Well done me!
At night we went out, a little intoxicated, the Mussolini convo kept going as Carl apparently also is interested in the Italian history, after bar we went to club, danced a lot, Julia and Helena got a drink which was purely alcohol so no surprise they got a bit drunk and at 2.20 we realise that the hostel closes at 2.00.... Great....
Luckily we met some guys who lived in the neighbourhood and knew the man in the reception. Thank you for that because the back up plan was climbing up through the window and it was a bit higher than I primarily thought.... Not a brilliant idea....

Next day we met up with Celine in Nîmes where we waited for the bus taking us to Uzès. We found a small Colosseum so me and Celine went in while Julia and Helena remained at the café.

The bus to Uzès offered an incredible view and despite being on the border of throwing up for most part of the trip I really enjoyed it.

(Uzès - beautiful no?)

Uzès is a tiny town, very old but oh so beautiful. We had four hours to spend here and it went by too quickly. It is definitely worth a visit even if it's a bit out of the way. In the afternoon the taxi picked us up and we continued to Celine's house in the middle of nowhere. The nearest house was about 2 km away...

We only had 2,5 days here but we really made the most of it. We went up early, went for walks through the vineyards, took time to prepare wonderful meals, relaxed with wine, films, reading, playing cards and board games. There's a little hill not too far away which we climbed friday afternoon and it was such a beautiful view! We decided that we were going to try to catch the sunrise the next day. So we made pancakes to bring and eat for breakfast on the hill, with fruit and nutella, mmmm!

It took us about an hour to climb it and although we weren't blessed with sunshine it was an incredible feeling and made for some great conversations and reflections.
Celine said something rather interesting about me. "You can jump from a rock to another which could even kill you without fear whereas a spider will freak you out." True... I had a traumatising experience visiting Celine's wine cellar. I discovered a little late that there were a lot a lot of spiders in a very little space and I was caught because Julia and Helena were blocking the stairs. Turns out I haven't really gotten over my fear of spiders. But after that I was prepared for spiders, I know it's only when they surprise me and I can't get away without having to go pass the little creature. It's interesting what scare us though, being several hundreds metres up in the air, jumping between rocks that could kill me if I misjudge the distance or land just a little off and fall doesn't scare me at all, it's just adrenaline and I love it!

The best thing though, was being able to walk around in pyjamas all day long, no make up no caring about anything!
I must mention that we took the train back to Paris from Avignon and this town is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to! Many old buildings, very picturesque, a nice river going through it, big park and fantastic castles!

Finally I shall finish my novel by thanking Julia and Helena for a great trip and especially Celine for inviting us to her house. It was an unforgettable time spent with three wonderful girls.

Montpellier!

2010-04-28T09:20:00.000+02:00

SUN, BEACH AND THE FIRST DIP OF THE YEAR!

I have a tan, believe it or not!!

The hostel is cheap, breakfast included and we have our own room, it's awesome! At least when we get in to the room that is..... It just needs a gentle touch followed by great force to open the door, we got it down now.

We get along great as long as we're not hungry. We all get cranky when we're hungry which we found out yesterday in the search for a restaurant.... S'all good though!

Helena: We're having a great time in Montpellier! The sun is always shining, we're eating great food and we're all getting a tan! Since we are Swedes we are not really used to the sun, but all I can tell you is that we're enjoying every minute of it. Hasta Lavista/bisous from Montpellier.

Julia: Correction; everybody's getting a tan except for me, I'm getting freckles. The good thing is that I'm so white the sun is reflecting off me, so Helena and Madde are getting even more tanned, haha.

Today we're going to the beach, hopefully we'll find ourself a volleyboll, so we can get even more bruses on our arms. We are kicking the guys asses allright!

Peace out!

Chartre

2010-04-24T20:34:00.000+02:00

Yesterday some of us went for fondue, il faut try fondue when in France. I took a salade though. I've been ignoring my cold for a week at least now, I'm still of the belief that if I keep ignoring it it will eventually go away. Like annoying children; ignore them long enough and they'll stop harassing you. Anyway, it was a very pleasant night, I'm not a fan of raclette and fondue though. Unless the fondue is melted chocolate and the pieces you dip is fruit. Now that's tasty!

It was an early night though because the morning after, that is today, we were going to meet at Gare de Montparnasse at... wait for it... 7.20 a.m. No I'm not kidding. Ambitious! I made it. I'm proud. However, once we got there the tickets to Tours, France were not as cheap as expected. 90 e is not in the student budget so highly disappointed Helena and I made our way to the ticket office for trains within Île de France (that is area around Paris) to see if we could find a place to go for less money. I mean we were already there with pic-nic ready for a field trip. So we asked the man in the ticket office if he knew of a nice castles not too expensive away. Versailles? No, it's an obvious one. Fountainbleau? Already done. Château Gilles? Ohh, that sounds good, where is that? It's my château he answers... Oh come on. Louvre? Seriously... Then he mentioned a cathedral in Chartre. Score, we'll take it! No idea where it is, what it is or how far away it is we grab a coffee and get on the train, single journey if we feel like going somewhere else after it. It felt pretty good to just not stress, care or worry about literally anything. Turned out to be one of the best decisions made since I came to Paris. The day just kept getting better and the ridiculous tiredness of both of us just made it a very giggly day.

We began with the Notre Dame of Chartre.

It was me, Helen and the pensioners. We found a map and saw that there was a big park, and we love our parks so after a brave attempt at showing some interest towards the cathedral we made our way to the nature instead. And you know! As soon as you get outside Paris people are so much nicer to you... The town was absolutely adorable, felt like walking through a 18th century picturesque village.

And as you can see the weather was goooorgeous! Summer heat, not a cloud in sight and just fantastic! The further we went the more beautiful it became...

Fun fact 1: Helena came home at 3ish, and just went to bed without undressing, washing of her make-up or any preparations. Helena wakes up at 6.30 (we are meeting at 7), rolls out of bed, dressed and ready. I would never have known though...

Fun fact 2: Helena, a little tired, packs her baguette, ham, a tomato and because she doesn't want to "wake up her room mate" she takes a knife with butter on it and doesn't smear it on her sandwich but puts it in directly in her bag... When she later wants to butter her baguette the butter has fallen off the knife. What a surprise... Helena, you crack me up!

Fun fact 3: Madeleine is half asleep when suddenly she is woken up by someone throwing water on her legs. But no, it wasn't water. It was bird shit... And the frickin bird manages to hit my right calf and left thigh. That's it, not on the ground or anywhere around me, just my legs. It's like it was aiming for me and bulls-eye! Got me. Later that day I also managed to walk it dog poo. Lucky day. Didn't get me down though!

Honestly, the tranquility of coming out of the big city is so relaxing, the fresh air, the quiet, the animals and wild nature (as opposed to the planted perfection of Paris' gardens). I need it, I may be a city girl but I need my countryside trips and experiences.

An ice-cream, a vintage dress, a long walk later we stumble upon a car show of some kind, extremely cool cars, Rasmus you would have been in heaven with all the Porsche and Ferrari there!

I particularly liked this, proper summer car

What a day Helena! What a great great great day.....

The girls' got skills!

2010-04-22T15:49:00.002+02:00

Elin on the rap, Madeleine on the beatbox, Helena stands for the hand movements and Julia is on commentary: Fast Food Freestyle

Musée d'Orsay and karaoke

2010-04-22T15:46:00.000+02:00

So I began the day with studying in the park, well done Madeleine, an entire hour of mediocre concentration. Good enough... I then felt good enough to meet up with Julia and visit musée d'Orsay for the second time.
First time I barely made the right side. I love the impressionist and post impressionist art. I was particularly blown away by Renoir, my favourite piece was: danse à la ville.

This picture really doesn't do the piece justice. The colours are amazing in reality, the blues, greens and light pink creates a warmth in a romantic spring evening by which it's easy to get swept away. I'm such a "fleur-bleue" and this painting enabled me to enter a different world of where nothing but the current moment exists, no stress, worry or pain. But. If you look closer at the eyes of the girl, her look reveals a feeling of absence or fleeing happiness. I guess every great moment has its ending, but that ending can be the beginning of another great moment.

Because there were beaucoup du monde, I walked through the museum with a notepad listening to Mozart to drown out the busy environment surrounding me and I could write an novel if I would develop all my thoughts. So I won't. It's better if you see the paintings for yourselves.

I will just say something about Van Gogh though! Since I read his biography by Irving Stone (thank you Carl!) I've been very interested in his history and his art. I never really liked his art, too abstract and obscene, I didn't understand it. Until now. Reading the biography and now seeing some of his pieces, the amount of colour he uses, his technique, you can almost see that each painting looks like a stroke of inspiration, the lines gives each painting life and movement and the almost look three dimensional. The colour palette is striking and you see straight away if it's the work of Van Gogh. Oh, I could go on forever! I will just say that I recommend Lust for life by Irving Stone whether you are interested in art or not. He was a very interesting person.

On to something completely different! KARAOKE! oj oj oj....

We went to a really cool bar called the Cavern on rue Dauphine in Saint Germain des Pres, which has karaoke night every Wednesday. When we arrived there was a live band playing but after the band the karaoke was on! We found ourselves a table and started reading the song choices. A guy went up first. Let the laughing begin we thought. But oh no, this guy knew how to sing! So another girl goes up, we're hopeful of her lack of singing skills, but let down as a sweet sounding jazz voice strokes our auditory canals. Merde! Is this a karaoke bar for professionals?! Apparently so, because it didn't get worse... Until! Enrique and I went up and sang Robbie Williams Angel. How about that huh?!

The best duet of Angel ever!

Two other girls also gathered the courage (or rather enough alcohol in their blood=P) to get on the stage. Singing their heart out to Hotel California; Cary and Helena!

Helena you are just hilarious!

I don't think they appreciated out performances but honestly, THIS is what karaoke is all about, just singing your heart out whether you know how to sing or not! Well go back and show them how it's done again! Whether they like it or not....

Update!

2010-04-21T11:40:00.000+02:00

Better late than never right?!

The past week has been mostly relaxing in different parks, enjoying the sun and pic-nics followed by calm nights at Jen's and my place with the girls. It's been a really good week!

After père lachaise we went out a big group, some old members and some new. Pre-party at our place before we headed for Mix club in Montparnasse (again). It was as good this time as last time, but it always is a good night when you are out with a big group of awesome people! Lots of dancing, laughing and fun.

Compliment of the week: "You have really cute teeth" (said with a bad french accent)

Friday wasn't too rough, essay in school, easy topic: What's your favourite activity? Dancing, what else?!
Which brings us to the night, I went out with a friend, tried the supposedly best crêpe place in Paris (rue Moufftard), took a walk and then headed to a salsa club! Hell yeah, dancing to 4.30 in the morning!

Saturday I must admit I was a little tired and worn out from two nights out with little sleep, after all I'm not 18 anymore! We managed to get out though, sat in the Luxembourg park for a while and then went home to a calm night of watching Avatar. I hadn't seen it before and I must say that even though it was predictable I loved it! I really like the idea of a world where everything is connected and lives in harmony with each other. Until us humans ruin it all that is... I believe in one sense that the earth and all its creatures are connected but, again, technology, capitalism and consumerism among other factors have contributed to the loss of interaction between the earth and its living inhabitants, mainly humans. In any case, I like the film.

Sunday me and Julia tried the best falafel in Paris, namely "some place with a massive queue" in Le Marais. We ate it in a little cute courtyard enjoying the warm weather, before we went and visited Place des Vosges. This is where you can visit Victor Hugo's house, which we didn't do unfortunately, but I'm here for a while so I think I'll have time to swing by... In the evening, I watched I love you, man! with Helena, Jenna and Julia. Cute film, rather funny actually.

Monday I went with Julia to try to book a train ticket to Barcelona since flying obviously isn't working at the moment. There are so many people stuck in Paris, I feel sorry for them, well not really, the city has compensated with giving them gorgeous weather! We finished that and decided to climb Notre Dame. 400 stairs! 400. It was the exercise of the day.

The view was beautiful, but you realise how polluted the city is. No wonder why I feel like I constantly have a bit of a sore throat... I'm totally a city girl but I really miss the fresh air, the forest, the mountains in Åre, the ocean......

In the backgound you can see Tour Saint-Jacques in Châtelet and far back you have Sacre-Coeur.

We then met up with Helena and took a promenade to Parc des Plantes, where they had animals! You had to pay to see them though.... Which we didn't. There are so many nice parks in Paris! We met up with Madeleine, Jenna, Mika, Joseph and two other girls and, again, just enjoyed the sunshine. Thank you Paris for the wonderful weather!

Yesterday we went to the exhibition of Yves Saint Laurant and it was amazing. Definitely worth seeing, lots of beautiful dresses and history of fashion.

"Chanel gave women freedom, Saint Laurant gave them power."

Petit Palais

True that! The smokings, jumpsuits and masculine cuts were very fashion forward and emancipating for women and fashion is still inspired by his creations and his creativity today. Go and see it, but be there early, as in 9.30 early if you want to limit the waiting time to about 30 min. Be there after 11 and be prepared to wait two hours. While you are in though, the exhibition isn't too crowded which makes the experience oh so much more enjoyable. We followed the exhibition with a stroll down Champs Elysée, tanning in the park, I got burnt(!) and a shopping spree in the area around Reaumur-Sébastopol, which is supposedly the hooker streets in Paris and I can surely vow for that! Honestly, me and Madeleine thought that we had found all these little cute boutiques when we one night were walking to the show of Gaultier, so we wanted to check them out when they were open. The shops were not boutiques, they were cheap market clothes in a storage massively overpriced. 50 year old nasty hookers were spread out every 10 metres and disgusting old men staring at you as you walk by. EW EW EW, don't ever go there!! I cannot believe those hookers make a living because they were nasty, or as we say in swedish, så jävla skabbiga!!! So to comfort ourselves we went to Châtelet instead. I just don't have the envie to buy things anymore. I don't know whats happened to me, I'm just not myself, I see something I want and I don't want it. Doesn't make sense? I know...

Time to do some studying before my second visit to musée d'Orsay! Love it!

Père Lachaise

2010-04-12T12:34:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I visited the graveyard Père Lachaise with Mika. I think cemeteries are serene and calm but I can't really ignore the feeling of discomfort. It feels a little wrong to visit a graveyard for a tourist purpose. It was a nice day though, we saw the graves of:

Oscar Wilde

Edith Piaf

Chopin, Jim Morrison and Balzac among others.

I don't want to be buried but if ever I would be I'd want an angel watching over me...

We left the cemetery to meet Björn, Enrique and Anton, who we haven't seen for ages! We stopped for a falafel before going home to Julia for wine and cheese. Always a good evening!

(I've missed you guys!)

Random thoughts

2010-04-11T01:38:00.000+02:00

As Jennifer has her mother, all the way from Canada and her aunt from Greece, here I have been staying with Helena and now with Julia. I've noticed that I'm calling all places I stay "home". I'm "home" at Helena's, I have to go "home" to Bezons to pick up my stuff before going "home" (Jennifer's), Julia's place is "home", honestly I think the entire world is my home. Unconsciously I think I feel at home wherever I am because in the end we are inhabitants of planet Earth. It feels good to feel safe and at home in so many places, as soon as they become familiar they in one way become "home" because I feel safe there. Before, I longed for my home in Eskilstuna, where I was raised but now that I've travelled a bit and kept moving around, it has become a lot easier to settle. I will want a proper home, where I will live for more then a few months or even years, but it's nice to know that I don't need a firm spot to call home... I think because I'm trying to become less attached to material things it's so much easier to refer to any place familiar where you feel safe becomes a "home". In the end home represents a place which you are familiar with and feel the most safe.
To return to materialism, we are so wasteful with our resources and consumption has become such a major part of all of our lives without we really even notice it. I didn't think it was strange that I couldn't go past a shoe shop without wanting to buy something, but as I'm becoming increasingly aware of the effects of consumerism I'm trying to detach myself from the want to shop and put my needs and wants in perspective. I'm not saying that it's wrong to want, but we all really need to put our wants and consuming in perspective. Honestly, do I need my 40 different pairs of shoes? No, I really don't, but I want them, and more pairs, but I can now go past a shoe shop without even noticing that there are lots of beautiful shoes inside. If this remotely interest you (which I really think it should!) have a look at this: The Century of Self. It's incredible and very enlightening.

We went to Truskel friday night. It's an intimate rather cheap pub/club which has hosted artists like Pete Doherty, The Kooks, Justice and many others. Really like it, the atmosphere and the interior, but I'll probably go back a weekday because it's seriously crowded during the weekend!

This morning Julia and I went for a walk in the park in Porte d'Orléans, and it's so beautiful! The sun was shining, it was warm and nice, people were happy and smiling (not common in Paris) and the flowers are blooming, it's wonderful! So we decided that we were going to go home and get ready, make a massive fruit salad and go into another park called Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th. First time there, but I absolutely loved this park! Definitely worth visiting. Oh, and when we were walking around, there's a high point with a little monument, it's beautiful and when we came up we were welcomed by music from violins playing for a newly married couple. I know, I'm a sucker for romance...

"Those of us who are lost and 'lone, I know how it feels, I know it's not right, but it's real"

Laura Marling's new song from the concert.

She's brilliant.

Laura Marling

2010-04-08T12:15:00.001+02:00

Laura Marling's concert. Fantastic. Amazing. Serene. Personal. She sang straight into my heart.

We had the chance to listen to a French band called Erevantusk. Really good band, kind of indie rock, with a semi-Swedish singer! Way out west guys!

The second band was an entirely Swedish one called First Aid Kit. If you like Laura Marling you should definitely Spotify these young Swedish girls!

Remember this?

2010-04-06T19:37:00.000+02:00

Lovely memory, seems so far away, yet it was not even three months ago.

I just must say that I adore Paris when she offers weather like this! We had our first little pic-nic, Celine, Cary and I. It was absolutely brilliant, the first of many! We have to wait 10 more days before we can sit on the grass, but it's worth it! It's just so hard to focus on school and go to class when the weather is great and there are so many more fun things to do.....

Fontainebleau

2010-04-06T09:58:00.000+02:00

Sunday some of us managed to get out of bed despite Saturday's festivities (erhmnot Jen erhm) to go to the château de Fontainebleau about 30 min with train outside Paris. It's a grand castle which has hosted many royalties such as François I, Henri IV, Louis XIV, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and also Napoleon.

On the way to the castle, to which you can go by bus or walk (walk!), you cross a beautiful forest, or more like a huge garden with a river. The feeling of freedom and the contrast from big, loud Paris was just amazing.

The castle is beautiful, we even got a private guided tour through the small apartments in which the children usually lived. The luxury, the riches, the lifestyle... The history, it's very interesting and one of the best things is that there weren't many tourists! No stress, just sunny weather, beautiful sights and great company!

Ikea and swedish easter dinner!

2010-04-04T19:22:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I wonder why things can't ever just be easy? Maybe it's just not meant to be if you have to work for it too hard, or maybe it just makes it more worth it...? All I know is that I'm tired of it. I have always taken pride in my independence. I've always said that I would never do anything for the sake of a man whether it's moving, putting your dreams on hold or you know any sort of life-changing decision. I've seen my friends getting hurt and promised myself I wouldn't make the same mistake, but I've never been able to speak out of my own experience, solely because I've never felt strongly enough for anyone to even consider putting myself out there. Even though there's a bit of a hole in my stomach I can now proudly say that I really wouldn't change my plans for anyone. I put myself, my will and my future first. It's a comforting feeling...

On to another subject! This is the third time I've visited IKEA since living in Paris. Not only have a managed to go three times in three months but I've also been to three different ones! So if anyone needs any Ikea-in-Paris related tips, I'm your girl!
So Jenna, Jules and I started off a little tired and hungover but managed to get out of the apartment at 11am, well done on us! Took the RER and bus to Thaisas all for free, I've learnt how to jump it now and it's good fun. The best part is when the information desk actually helps you to cheat the system! At Ikea we found a bed for 20 euros! I just woke up from sleeping in it and I dare say that it is a good bed, bargain! We found lots of things for very little money but we realised we'd have a bit of a problem trying to get it all home. So we stole the Ikea trolley and went out on the street and called a taxi. It took ages so we decided to just try the bus so while crossing the street two guys in a mini truck look at us with pity so I said ironically that maybe we should ask them for a lift. Before I know it Jen is asking the guys to drive us to the RER! And the guys laughed and agreed, so we get in the back of the truck sitting on a cardbord box and praying that they'll drive us to the station and not somewhere else! One of the guys (mind you they were not good-looking!) asked Jen for her number and yeah, what choice did she have, we were already in their car, definitely not a good time to piss them off haha. His name is DONT ANSWER on her phone!

Later that evening Madeleine came and saw the apartment and we went to Julia's in Alésia for a Swedish easter dinner! We were about nine people and six Swedes out of that crowd so it was really fun to have sill and snaps. Poor Jenna didn't want to try the sill first as she thought we were saying seal, so she's like 'I don't know how I feel about eating seal, it's not baby seal is it?' Bless her! We weren't many but hell we made it loud! Definitely a night to do over maybe not the jumping the metro, holding the doors of the last one for all of us to make it, meeting interesting guys smoking away on the train, nearly missing to get out, poor Celine literally falling out of the doors and walking for ages to find a working vélo station (the bikes) when surprise there's one right outside Jen's apartment!

Jennifer in her new gorgeous hair!

Time to get the party started before Jen hits me with the wine bottle!

Dancing!

All the little things...

2010-04-03T17:44:00.000+02:00

One thing I love about my life in Paris is that it never gets boring. The daily routine is very satisfying in the sense that we are always doing something, whether it's going to the cinema, drinking a glass at a café, girls night with wine and snacks, night out, museum, there's always something going on.
Tuesday we went to Alice au pays des merveilles, great film! I haven't always been a fan of Tim Burton's twisted world but this was definitely in Edward Scissorhands category! Loved it! We ventilated the film and general life at a café before going home to bed.
Wednesday we had a bit of swedish dinner, and a proper girls night.
Thursday I managed to get lots of things done, running in the morning, cleaning and sorting out packing, copy insurance card, Marc by Marc Jacobs, school, studying and lunch/dinner with Julia before Jen came home. The three of us then decided to take a walk to Alésia where Julia dwells at night for a film night with wine and fresh pineapple. We watched Tim's film for the Nottingham Council called 'Trust me', a short film used for sexual education and it made for some interesting conversations which quickly turned into a long discussion about society, history and politics. Turns out Jenna is also a fan of Zeitgeist...
Friday I went to get my bank card in La Defense, the french banks uh!, then I met up with Julia and Jenna in Marais just to discover that her favourite falafel place had closed down... So instead we had gyros in Saint Michel before school. The teacher seemed to want to get out of class as much as the rest of us so we finished a bit early. Julia and I sat with some coffee watching a documentary about Niko Tesla, who discovered the AC, very interesting doc about a man nearly forgotten by history. When Helena finally (you are so slow!!) answered I went to her place with wine and chips and we started looking up travels for the spring break! Yaay! Marseille and Montpellier here we come! I think.... We decided to think about it until today seeing as our judgement was a bit blurry by that time...

Weeii!

Thumbs up for that!

A little bit of Burberry obsession

I pimped Helena to make some extra cash... Day and night, she's always open ;) haha sorry that's horrible.

We picked up Julia and Elin and went to an underground Czech jazz club, had a great time, spoke a lot of French, Julia flirted a bit but never got the chance to actually speak to the guy soo, when we left the club we see the guy and his friend walk towards Odéon. Me and Julia were going home anyway so Julia the crazy person runs across Blvd Saint Germain without hesitation despite all the cars. So, what could I do but run after and we actually stalked these guys so that Julia could continue flirting... What girls will do for a cute guy! And what friends will do for a good friend!

Bye bye Bezons!

2010-04-01T00:18:00.000+02:00

So, I haven't told you this but I have moved. To Jardin du Luxembourg. With Jennifer. I'm so happy! I love Jennifer, I love this apartment, I love the location, I love the fact that I can go running in the Jardin in the morning (which I did this morning), I love that I can walk to school in 5 minutes, I love that I don't have to worry about how to get home to the banlieue anymore and I love that I'm so lucky to have found Jennifer. She's my sole-mate! (I didn't misspell it, it's because we both love shoes, so sole mates, höhö, clever I know, Jennifer made it up...)

So bye bye Bezons, no more bus rides alone, no more reasons to moan, I'm in a good zone, I'm even rhyming a poem =P

Today we moved my last stuff, had a Swedish meatball dinner, went to mine and Jennifer's apartment (love it!) to have some more wine and enjoy strawberry's and chocolate for dessert. We managed to smash three of six wine glasses, spill half the couscous and lentals on the metro on the way here haha, poor Julia tried to pick it up it's such a typical thing that would happen to me! (and to you Amanda...)

Perfect girls night in!

Londontown!

2010-03-29T21:26:00.000+02:00

Wow, where to start!? From the beginning perhaps....
Eurostar took barely 2.5 hours and was rather comfortable. Stupid here just didn't realise that I'm actually going to another country, and not just any country but paranoid Britain. I arrive with about 15 minutes to print my tickets and get on the train, not particularly stressed until I see a check-in queue. I run to a lady to was very nice and let me through, she explained that I have to go to customs and passport check and hurry to the train, I am very late apparently... I'm just happy I remembered to bring my passport!

Got to the house of my cousins Jemma and Michael and Jemma's other half Michael aka Jethro in New Cross, just a little south of London. Very nice house with a little garden even!

Next day Jemma had a massive exam which she was massively stressed over. (Went well though!) I went to do some shopping and look for an open hair salon. Little did I know that all the hairdressing salons require you to take an allergy test before colouring so I was screwed. Not being able to fix my colour I at least got a haircut at Toni & Guy. Not impressed. While waiting for Jemma to finish her exam and Tim to arrive from The Notts I eagerly took to the shops at Covent Garden! Urban Outfitters! Need I say more?! It was great to be there in the morning because it was rather empty so I got to look around without being pushed here and there by ferocious girls pulling and grabbing and tugging all clothes and ready to stomp you to the ground if you get in their way. Shopping is a dangerous activity... and a very pricey one as I have experienced this weekend.

Jemma and I had lunch at a Mexican restaurant apparently named the best cheap-eat in London, Wahaca. I recommend! Not far from Covent Garden...
We went home, caught up with the lovely Mr Smith and went back into town. Tim and I went to see a dance show called Blaze, forgive my language but fucking awesome show! If you have a chance to see it it's well-worth its £30! The lighting effects, music and the humour just made for a really fantastic show, whether you are a dance freak or not. We continued the night at a restaurant in Soho, very popular in the gay community, called (I'll let you know when I remember...) It was a great restaurant with the best cocktails! Apple martini yum, but also, their Caipirinha, usually not a fan but for this I'd give up wine! (Metaphorically speaking, I would never give up wine)

Day after we were up early once again to make the most out of the day! First up was Borough market, lots of nice food most of it ethical and organic. We had lunch at a seafood restaurant which was superb, best smoked salmon I've ever eaten. Yes that good.
Then the shopping began: The massive Top Shop and Urban Outfitters on Oxford Street. Headache. I found a lot of nice things =) But I must say that it's rather scary how much useless stuff exists, all the unnecessary resources that goes into satisfying consumption, unnecessary consumption. I'm a victim, you're a victim, we are all victims of consumption.

Completely exhausted after ravaging through the shops we decided to go for a coffee and in true London style the rain came down heavily on us while we rushed to a Scandinavian café quite nearby. A mocha and cinnamon bun later we were ready to go home, make dinner and bus off to Brockley Jack Theatre to watch a play called Blavatsky's Tower. A really interesting piece with great actors! Worth seeing, the pub is really nice, the price is cheap and the theatre small and intimite, yes it's a bit of a travel from central London but well worth the trip!

On Sunday Jemma and I went to Brighton, did some more shopping (although both me and Jemma admitted to being a little tired of shopping, who'd thought!?) and just strolled through the small cosy streets and boutiques. I got my hair dyed and cut (second time around) and I'm quite satisfied with it now. We had some really good sushi for lunch at Moshi Moshi before we headed to Haysomething something where my aunt Ulla lives. We had a lovely family dinner, which we really have far too seldom, which Jemma stood for. Absolutely delicious! Then it was really just go to bed, get up and get on the train back to Paris.

London is great, many ethical shops and restaurants and people are so nice compared to Paris. As much as I love Paris London is just a little bit more welcoming. Sorry, there are no pics, completely forgot!

A big thank you to Jemma, Michael and Michael, Jess (Jemma's awesome best friend) and to Tim for making this weekend special and packed with fun! ♥

Food, friends and shoes!

2010-03-24T21:28:00.000+01:00

FOOD! I'm eating again! I honestly can't believe I made it this far, 4 whole days without food. A bit short for a detox but I still feel great, especially since I can enjoy all the culinary deliciousness of the world again! I'll definitely do this again, for the whole week, I'll try anyway... The most difficult thing was beginning to eat again. I started with smoothies that I took about half an hour to finish and then I had some lovely lentil soup at the even lovelier Jennifer's gorgeous apartment just off Luxembourg garden.

I met Jennifer yesterday when some of us were going to go to a jazz club. She is in the same class as Elin and they are both au pairs. She is such a lovely girl and we decided to catch up today since she lives so close to where I go to school. Comme d'habitude we sat in the Luxembourg garden before class then I skipped phonetics (bad I know!) and Julia and I went to Jennifer's. Food, drinks and lots of yummy girl talk later we decided to go for a walk to buy some nice wine for... LONDON!!!... and to drop off some cereal. Yes, cereal... And this cereal person just happens to live on The Most Amazing Street in Paris (in the category of shoes naturally...)
I'll let the images speak for themselves...

Rue de Grenelle. Quelle rue!

Christian Louboutin... *suck*

So many fabulous designers with beautiful show shops.

If you have the money, enjoy!

Now I shall begin packing for London to where I head tomorrow for meeting my cousins, my aunt, Tim and for some shopping! Urban outfitters, Top Shop, Oasis, Warehouse.... Here I come!
Have a nice weekend and see you when I return!