Life is beautiful....but also very depressing

Just got back from Paris today. I had a really great time but am very blue right now and don't feel like doing any work. I understand that for things to be really pleasurable and appreciated, one must have moments of inconvenience and pain. It's just human nature. Still, I really hate the feeling of coming back from a great trip. Plus, nothing ever really sticks in your head; the memories are there, and the pics help for a while, but inevitably the feelings attached to the memories slip away. I guess that's good since it inspires us to keep going out and taking more trips.

Anyway, much to report. Very very much. On Wed, there was a great Brazilian party (thanks Livia). On thursday, the school through this big party/ice hockey tournament. Very interesting. Basically, team of profs and students got dressed up and played ice hockey. But not seriously. Many were drunk, there were cross-dressers, performances, fake fights, and then everyone went to an enormous party at some club. There I found out what it's like to be in a german club. For one thing, there is techno, although I wouldn't say it is popular. There were about 10 guys dancing. Nevertheless, I have never seen shit like this before (actually sort of in Munich), and Euro techno dancing is worth checking out. I should have brought my camera.

Got home at 2:30 am, needed to do laundry before my 11 am train to Paris. Get to Paris, and get picked up by Carole, friend and girl-friend of Sylvain. First thing I notice: Paris, or France maybe, seemed very different from the first time I came in July. Not because it really was, but because I was, or am, now very different. The first time, I was in Germany for about only 2 weeks. Paris was exotic, strange and interesting because it was not America and I felt American. This time Paris was exotic, strange and interesting because it was not GERMANY and I felt GERMAN/American. I have to admit that that felt wierd. It was also nice to see because it showed me really how normal and comfortable I feel here now, not only with the language (which was a bitch and there is still of course much to learn) but with the people, the culture, everything. On the flip side, coming back to Germany was both depressing, since the trip was over, but also very comforting, because it really feels like h*me. (Asterisk purposely there, otherwise I will have to have a 20 min convo about this sentence).

I think I'll give you a really brief timeline of what I did, and then tell you my thoughts. It may be easier. Plus you'll see it again in my pics (coming soon - demnaechst).

Friday: Walked around parts of Paris with Carole, ate a Panini, Crepe, Chooquet (hehe). Met Sylvain at his apt in Paris, did some more walking, ate French choloclate truffles (these are not the same as what truffles are in the US). Went to Sylvain's parents' house. Spoke in English with parents and brother, all of whom could speak quite well considering they are about 50 and don't ever practice! Ate homemade 5 course french dinner - gratin something, then terrine and pork pate something, then salad, then cheese, then dessert. Very good! Drove around paris, saw the christmas decorations. Sort of like in NYC, they have window displays, but some here are puppet-like shows that were awesomely creative and well-done.

Sat: Woke up and ate a French breakfast (croisant, baguette, tea and chocolate milk drank from a bowl). Went to a farmers' market, bought cheese. Came back to Syl's house and ate lunch, I think, cause I totally forgot what. But is was good. Then drove into Paris, which has the possibly the worst traffic in the world. Worse than NYC, close with LA and maybe some Asian cities that I have never been too. Met Noemie and her boyfriend, who bought my Meghan bracelet, which is now a little wierd not to be wearing. Walked around Paris, went inside Notre Dame, to gay area, say Victor Hugo's house, went to Bastille, ate dinner in Quartier Latin (I think). It was fondue and escargot. Quick aside, fondue in france is not just chocolate (actually I don't think it is ever chocolate) but cheese or beef. Cheese should be self-explanatory, beef is served raw, which you then cook in hot oil. Went to Australian style bar in France, which was interesting, then went to Eifel Tower to see it when it sparkles (they do this thing with the lights on every hour to make it sparkle - impressive).

Sun: Woke up and ate another french breakfast a little more comfortably (it is slightly awkward when a french mother offers you a bowl to drink tea - i was confused). Met Syl's nearly entire fam (sisters, cousins, friends of fam) for his brother-in-law's 30th birthday. Spoke some english, mostly listened to french (which was fine, interesting actually, and reminded me of how hard it was to learn german, and how embarrasing it is to not be able to comunicate with people in their own language). Ate another five course, home cooked French meal: actually six courses with much wine (hor'deurves, then some meat or vege loaf, then chicken, then salad, then cheese, and then dessert). Went back into Paris, saw the Eifel tower once more with Noemie, went to her house in Versailles and met her family and had another lovely dinner (four course) and went to bed.

Ya it was a lot and I had a really terrific time. Thank you very very much to both Sylvain and Noemie for everything. (Merci beaucoup pour tous). I have more to write, but not the time nor the right state of mind at the moment. Later this week I'll post some more, with some good stories and pics. Right now I'm tired.

to come: Paris is the most beautiful major city I have seen, it was great to spend time with family and see "real" Paris, overall I had a great time. bis naechstes mal