My last days..

My last days living in Paris snuck up on me. I thought about how to spend it and came up with seeing a last few Parisian things. Yesterday we set out to see two museums and to go to a wine bar. It turns out I had a good reason for my case of the Mondays after all ... everything was closed. Unlike the first museum, Musee Legion d’Honneur, which is closed on Mondays, the Jeu de Paume was closed while the new exhibition was being installed. Thinking we couldn’t strike out a third time, we headed over to the wine bar. And yet that too was closed. I’d be upset expect I set out looking for one last French experience and that’s exactly what I got. Sundays in Paris are very quiet. Most everything is closed except for Museums which means Mondays are very quiet on the Museum front. I should have known better but c’est la vie. I can say, though, that my Monday didn’t fail me. We went to John’s dad’s for dinner. It was great! We had raclette, which is similar to fondue but instead of dipping things in cheese you melt the racelette cheese and then pour it over meat, potatoes, etc. For someone who came to Paris hesitant to try new foods and weary of all things cheese I think I’ve done well for myself!

Seeing that I leave tomorrow, we spent today in summary. As usual, I didn’t finish packing until the last moment but I didn’t want to spend my last day in Paris without one last French experience. It only seemed fitting that John and I go out for steak tartare. For the Americans reading who may not know what steak tartare is, let me put it to you bluntly: it’s raw ground beef. I’ve watched John and others eat this traditional meal many times and each time thought I would rather starve. To all those I’ve watched eat steak tartare and wrongfully judged, I’m sorry. It took a bit to get used to the texture and the Tabasco sauce really makes the difference but it’s great! The waitress was surprised I wasn’t upset when the dish came and even offered to have it cooked if I didn’t like it. And so there you have it… it only took me eight months but I think I’ve finally grown a genuine liking of French cuisine!

Espresso…check!

Wine… check!

Duck...check!

Cheese… check!

Frog Legs…check!

Foie Gras….check!

Steak Tartare…check!

On my last day I knew I wouldn’t be able to see all of Paris so we opted for the next best thing: a Bateau Mouche. I think it’s safe to say most people make this one of their first stops in Paris because you’re able to see all the major sites from the Seine River. But it was the perfect ending as well. I was able to recognize things that a few months ago were foreign. I was able to look beyond the sites and see the character Paris has (while in envy of many apartments). I was able to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to have spent the last eight months living here.

Just when I thought the day couldn’t be anymore perfect, John made crepes for dinner! Now that’s something I’ll definitely miss!!

Make sure to check out pictures from our tartare outing here

and from our last visits around Paris here