Autumn in Paris

I started my second (of three) semesters at AGS about a month ago and it is amazing how quickly the time has flown. This semester I am taking two in-class courses (scramble for African resources and modern Middle East), writing my thesis proposal, taking courses in French three days a week and babysitting two afternoons a week. I am also involved with the Graduate Student Association and writing for the school newsletter. Needless to say, I am keeping myself busy. With so much going on I have barely noticed the gradual shift of seasons from summer to fall that has occurred. Days are now shorter and cooler and it is not longer possible to go outside without a coat. It is in the fall that I most miss Maine, I miss the brilliant colors of the changing leaves, apple picking and the sweet crispness of the air. For some reason Parisian's don't seem to have any fall traditions - there are not carved pumpkins sitting out on stoops, no halloween decorations adorning windows in shops, no children's crafts of leaves or jack-0-lanterns in the school one of my babysitting chargers attends. I am sure Parisians have their own way of celebrating the change of seasons - I just haven't discovered it.

Notre Dame from the Seine

Part of what kept me distracted to the changing seasons this fall was a visit from my parents and brother. Mom, Dad and Jacob came to Paris at the end of September and stayed for about a week. We did a lot of sight-seeing and exploring during their visit. Of course with Dad visiting lots and lots of time was spent looking at art - at the Musee Rodin, Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'Orangerie, and the Musee du Louvre. We also walked around some of the most interesting sections of the city - Montmartre and the Marais, saw Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur, went up the Arc de Triomphe, and took a riverboat ride up the Seine. We also left the city twice - once to visit Monet's gardens and house and the other time to go up to Omaha Beach and the WWII American Cemetery. Aside from the touristy things we ate some great food and just spent some quality time together. It was hard to see them go, especially after such a short visit, but I will be back in the States for Christmas so that made it a bit easier. In the two months between now and the time I come home for the holidays I will continue with my busy schedule, finish my thesis proposal, take a much anticipated school trip to Berlin, and continue to look for those elusive Parisian fall traditions.

Monet's Gardens Sacre Coeur