By Madeleine Fuselier

 

Hi there! I am a life-long Orangeite who just moved to Paris. I am spending this year teaching English, improving my French, and exploring France (and some of its neighboring countries) before heading to college next fall. Keep reading to find out what’s been going on “Meanwhile With Madeleine.” Thanks for allowing me to share my adventures with you!

After a relaxing break from work, I’ve now returned to reality. It was nice to have more time to explore Paris, and I was able to cross few “must-sees” off my list. I visited Saint Chapelle, Musée l’Orangerie, Place des Vosges, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, and Musée Rodin.

While I was initially eager to squeeze in as many tourist attractions as possible over the break, I ultimately decided to take it a bit slower. I’ve been thinking a lot about something Ernest Hemingway wrote in A Moveable Feast. Referring to people in Parisian cafes, he said, “The people that I liked and had not met went to the big cafes because they were lost in them and no one noticed them and they could be alone in them and be together.”

While I had time over the break, I made a point of finding places where I could “be alone together.” There’s something about losing yourself in a cafe, on a bench at a park, or even just walking down a lively street that can be really wonderful.

While Halloween isn’t as much of a big deal here as it is back home, I still had fun dressing up and going out with friends. A few days before Halloween, I went to a Dia de los Muertos festival with a friend from Mexico, where we had some delicious tacos. It was the first Mexican food I’ve had since coming to Paris, and it really reminded me of home.

Speaking of home, my sister and aunt are coming to visit soon! I’m already in full-on tour guide mode and having lots of fun putting together our itinerary. I can’t wait to show them around Paris!