Cloudless Skies

Summer has begun here in France, at least as far as the weather is concerned. Cloudless blue skies have greeted me every morning this week, making it much easier to get out of bed and go about my business. My business included such things as; Leading the parade as Mickey Mouse's favorite pup. Marching around as a militant green toy. Obeying Captiain Hook's every order (Mr. Smee is quite obedient).

I have officially come to hate the ever so popular super store known as Auchan. The only way to describe Auchan in terms that may be understood by my beloved American family and friends is to call it the French equivalent of Wal-Mart, if every Wal-Mart had a giant grocery store downstairs. I much prefer shopping at the market known as Champion, seeing as how it is much smaller and less overwhelming. I could walk around Auchan for hours without finding everything I need. At least in Champion, to walk from one side of the store to the other in search of honey doesn't leave me too exhausted to go back to the other side for a baguette. I shall do my best to avoid Auchan at all costs, even if it may seem more convenient for one reason or another. I must remember that convenience by locale doesn't necessarily mean an easier shopping trip for me.




The highlight of my week (besides receiving dark chocolate covered pomegranates from my mum) had to be going to the ballet. That's right, my dear friend Katie took myself and her visiting friend Alyssa to the the Palais Garnier, aka the Paris Opera House, to see the ballet. Without a doubt, the Palais Garnier has to be the most amazing building I have ever been inside. As we walked up the grand staircase in the entrance hall, I couldn't imagine it getting any better. But upon entering "our box" and seeing the theatre, I think my heart may have stopped for a moment. I felt like I had stepped back in time. The chandelier, the private boxes. It was like something straight out of Phantom of the Opera (which just so happened to be inspired by this opera house, fyi). As the ballet started and I watched those dancers on that huge stage in that beautiful theatre, I got such a rush thinking about it from their perspective. What a dream come true. To be a part of the audience enjoying the ballet, sitting in that grand theatre, looking at the dancers was wonderful. But to actually be performing on that stage? Looking out into the theatre? Doing what they love doing? They have an even better opportunity to appreciate the beauty.

Honestly, just watching was a dream come true. I had to keep reminding myself to watch the stage, I was so taken by the theatre itself part of me just wanted to look around, take it all in. The experience at the ballet has me even more excited to see more of Paris. I realized there are so many things I don't even yet know about that are sure to blow me away. I didn't really know anything about the Palais Garnier, and it had such a powerful affect. I can't wait to stumble upon beauty after beauty after beauty, discovering more and more things I will remember for the rest of my life.