Chacun voit midi à sa porte

So let's see.  I had class yesterday morning, and then we decided to take the metro over to the area where the Army Museum and the Rodin Museum are located and just see what we felt like doing.  We stumbled upon the army museum and walked in, of course the wrong way.  I saw a sign that said "billets" which means tickets, so we started walking where the arrow was pointing.  You'd think that'd be right...but nope.  The guards yelled at us so we went the other way.  We walked around the perimeter of whole museum before finding the ticket office. What a pain! Finally got our tickets and headed over to Napoleon's tomb.  The problem with that was there were about 4 or 5 tombs and we didn't know which ones were which.  So I guess I saw his tomb, but not quite sure...Then it was off to the WWI and WWII part of the museum.  It was pretty interesting.  A lot of things to look at.  When we finished there, we ended up going to a Charles de Gaulle museum.  There was a large group of high schoolers also going to this part, so it wasn't as enjoyable as it would have been on a different day.  It was really neat though, and interactive.  With the touch of a finger, you could read a book on a little screen.

After that, we went to a bakery that a friend from school recommended. Not too shabby ;)  Then, since we needed somewhere to eat our treats, we found a little cafe and had some hot chocolate.  Yet again, it was freezing! The man was very kind and even gave us some free little desserts!  We had nothing else planned, so we decided to venture to a cute little boutique my mom read about online with things mostly made in France.  After spending a while looking around, I bought a few cute things!  Definitely going to go back again with my mom.  The lady was very sweet, as well :)

I had to stop at the grocery store on the way home.  I bought more than usual, because I finally found tortilla chips and pretzels.  And with my luck, they had no bags! So I had to stuff everything in my purse.  Somehow it all fit, but it was VERY heavy walking home.  Usually on my walk home, I stop at this bakery to get a baguette.  I walked up and the lights were off, but I saw someone else walk in.  Right away, I heard the baker say to a lady "il n'y a pas de pain"  (there isn't any bread...)  So needless to say, spent my night eating dinner without my baguette...but in reality, I didn't need it after my chocolate bread in the afternoon :P

For my classes, I have to watch a lot of movies.  I decided I should start now, so I'm not bombarded with them over breaks and such.  I watched one for education (Etre et Avoir) a very cute documentary about a one room school house in rural France.  Then, I watched Au Revoir les Enfants.  Yes, it is my 3rd time watching it, but it's such a great movie about WWII.  Very sad, but very good.

This morning, I went to the market.  I found a super quick way to get there, so it now takes me less than 5 minutes to walk there!  Perfect!  Then I had class, and the only interesting thing I learned is that there is not a word for PDA in French.  Figures....

After class, we went over to find the best macaroon place in Paris called LaDuree.  They are strategically placed throughout the city so you are near one at all time.  We went to the one over on the Champs-Élysées so we could walk around there as well.  We bought our macaroons.  I got a big chocolate one and three small ones (vanilla, black forest, and rose pedal).  I thought I'd like the rose pedal one the least, but it was actually my favorite.  I also don't agree with it being voted the best macaroon place in Paris.  They were good, but not great.  To each, his own...My favorite place so far is a place called "PAUL" and it's much cheaper!

Now, this may shock you all.  Please make sure you are sitting down when reading this....

We walked around to find a place to eat our macaroons and stumbled upon a huge....McDonald's.  We figured we could just order a cheap hot chocolate and sit inside.  So we walked in to see the prices and they were significantly lower than every other place we've been to.  YAY! Now, when the hot chocolate came out, my jaw literally dropped.  It looked so good!  And you should see the pastries in McDonald's. Unreal.  Even fast food places get things right over here.  Goodness, America! Get with the program...

We walked around a little more but didn't find anything good to buy.  We stopped in a store called MonoPrix, which is just like a Target.  They have groceries as well, so I bought some feta cheese and some cheese that is similar to cheddar cheese.  My host family probably is wondering why I have 4 different cheeses in the fridge.  But actually not..I bet they have about 6 different cheeses!

Waiting for family dinner tonight and tomorrow is my busy day!

Bisous! xoxo