Au revoir, l’été!

Two weeks in, I feel I'm settling nicely into Paris. I've been wearing my scarves and flats, jostling people around on the Metro, and I attended my first two classes today (both interesting, but both the unfortunate standard French length of three hours...I've been spoiled by Colby's 50-minute morning classes!).

It's suddenly, and dramatically, become fall in Paris. I went to Giverny, Monet's home & garden, this past Saturday, and I couldn't have picked a better day: absolutely gorgeous weather, not too many crowds because of the time of year, and an all-around beautiful change of pace from city life.

This past weekend was the Patrimoine, so most museums and cultural sites (like Giverny) were either free or dramatically cheaper. It also meant that certain government buildings were open. A couple of us tried to get into the Palais L'Elysée, but when we arrived the police officer there kindly told us that they'd stopped letting people in to see it because the line to get in right now was approaching eight hours. Apparently Parisians like Sarkozy more than they let on, if they're so determined to see his digs.

Of course, while we were there, I realized how fully it's become fall; especially after my very summer-like adventure on Saturday in Giverny, it was startling to see that the leaves are changing here. It's a good reminder as to how little time I have to explore here, though!

I'll try and write more entries soon...there are tons of things I've been meaning to post about, I just haven't had time!

Bises,

Annelise