Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Back from the Dead

Surprise! Yes, it's me ... in response to the messages I have received, I have not dropped off the face of this earth and given up on my blog ... just super busy, on the brightside, I have been living the good life in Paris! :) I'm currently on les vacances de Noël and cannot remember the last time I was so giddy to be on vacation. A few of us at school were counting the days till vacation. I felt like I was 13 again! And I definitely think that les vacances de Noël should be incorporated into my work life going forward, however, I do know that it’s an unrealistic dream but for now I’m fully taking advantage of the time off. Did I mention I love being a student again!

Back in September when I was a fully dedicated blogger … Per the recommendation of Dan (one of my most supportive and biggest fans … he he he, I love you too Tara!) I visited le cimetière du Père-Lachaise. For a little French history lesson, le cimetière du Père-Lachaise is the biggest cemetery in Paris located in the 20th arrondissement and one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. They say it is the most visited cemetery in the world. Personally, I love cemeteries but if you are not a fan this is definitely one you should not miss, it’s absolutely gorgeous!

I went to le cimetière du Père-Lachaise with two Poles, a Spaniard, a Hongkongese and an American, with the common language being French but that does not mean everybody in the group knew French - it was an interesting day. Of course, without a map we decided to conquer the massive cemetery. I was obsessed with seeing the tomb of Modigliani; other obsessions were Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison.

Asking for directions we met a charming 94-year-old Frenchmen named Guy (who just so happens to live a block away from me) who walks to the cemetery 3 times a week to take care of the tomb of his mother. By the way, from my house it is a 10km walk - one way. No wonder the French are thin and live long, at 94 this man is walking 20km (12.4 miles) 3 times a week… I have to say I was feeling a little lazy as I took the metro!

It seems that everyone I know who has visited le cimetière du Père-Lachaise has an experience with a crazy drugged out Jim Morrison wannabe and I was lucky enough to have the same experience. I’m starting to wonder if it’s the same guy each time … I may just have visit Mr. Morrison again.

If your planning on visiting any cemeteries in France, November 2nd is La Commémoration des fidèles défunts (All Souls’ Day), which is the day after La Toussaint (All Saint’s Day) un jour férié (a paid holiday). Tradition is that on November 1st (since it’s the day off) everyone goes to the cemeteries and brings flowers to their loved ones. So the best time to visit the cemeteries is the first couple weeks of November. My pictures below are from September but hope you enjoy.

Speaking of the days of the Dead, Halloween is not really celebrated in France. It is looked at as an American commercial holiday but you can find a few costume stores for all the foreigners roaming the City. I also added a photo of me with the pink wig I was sporting for the Halloween Pub Crawl event that I attended :)




and me on Halloween!