I’m sitting in London Heathrow’s new Terminal 5. It’s quite possibly one of the most overwhelming places I’ve ever been. Sooooooo many shops, and crazy fancy ones too. Bvlgari, Gucci, Coach, fancy food shops, tons of duty free with ridiculous cigarette and single malt scotch selections, and many, many more clothing stores and restaurants. It’s really pretty though…bright, airy, smells of duty-free perfume permeating the air, and people-watching and listening to languages I’ve never heard before.
Flight over was good. Mostly Indians (in saris!) and Brits, but I happened to be seated next to someone from Lyon! She was doing a 2-month internship (first obgyn, then hematology/oncology) at a Chicago hospital through her French university in Strasbourg and Northwestern. We talked a whole lot which was fun (in French, of course! Her English was so-so… she thought it was awesome I knew French though because not many Americans do, she said). I waved a lot to this adorable Indian 2 year old seated across the aisle from me. And British Airways was really nice. Very friendly flight attendants who were into giving people lots of alcohol haha.
I leave for Paris in about 2 hours. I’m totally sick of having to kill a total of about 12 hours in airports, especially since they don’t have free wireless! Grrrr. In a bus I drove right past the Singapore Airlines A380. It was crazy massive.
Guess where I got a sandwich from, Aliza!!!! That’s right! Prêt à Manger!! It was super yummy. And I learned that hummus to Brits means mainly pine nuts with a little garbanzo beans that are barely mashed added in.
Fast forward some unknown number of hours. I’m not at Lisa and Eric’s apartment in Paris. It’s amazing/gorgeous/modern/incredible. They just finished remodeling it today! The rooftop deck/garden with tons of plants and flowers and a view of the Eiffel Tower lighting up right when I walked up there (21h) was even more awesome! Lisa made me a galette (crêpe from Bretagne) for dinner. It was très yummy…a crêpe made with rye flour (that’s what unique about it) filled with cheese and an egg. And cider to drink. It was very good! Célia is really funny and cute and shows off dancing and loves me. She kissed me a whole lot. Nicolai is fun and nice too! We talked about French music and I’m gonna have him show me some tomorrow hopefully.
Fast forward again. It’s Monday afternoon now. Woke up, had some yummy yogurt, went out with Lisa and Celia and Nicolai to try to get my Visa ATM card to work. After several banks and many phone calls, still no luck. Quite annoying. Then we came back and had lunch, a little melon that’s simply called melon and a tarte aux tomates et moutarde (mustard, tomato, olive, and comté cheese tart). It was really good! The mustard was key I think. Then an apricot yogurt for dessert. Then a friend of their, Clemence, who’s my age took me around Paris. We walked along the Champs Elysées and various surrounding areas and got a cash advance so I at least have money now. Went in some stores and now back! I think just hanging out tonight. The kids start school tomorrow!
I still don’t really think it’s hit me that I’m going be in France for the year…I guess that will/should happen soon?? Maybe after my stay at Lisa and Eric’s and when I’m on my way to Grenoble….
About Me
- Geoffrey Cohen
- A regular college student who likes to eat quick, healthy and delicious food. Hence the love for cooking.
11 comments:
I love Pret a Manger! If only I had a layover in London on my way to Germany I could eat there too! I hope you're having a wonderful time so far and I will definitely have to keep up with your adventures via your blog :)
so did you send the sandwich from pret yet? you know my favorite kind. have fun and don't flunk out in the first week!
Lucky you to be touring Paris and sampling some of my favorite French foods. It's Labor Day here, almost time for the annual Marr Drive potluck and ice cream event. Potato salad and watermelon figure prominently on the menu; alas, no crepes today! Sorry you're having to do "France on $5 a day" until we can get the money/card straightened out.
hooray! finally a post. can't wait to be able to follow along. P.S. didn't the atm thing happen in Amsterdam,too?
Now you citizens of France, be on alert.
For tall, handsome Geoffrey who's really quite a flirt.
He's desperately searching for French francs,
so if you'd help him out, you'd have our thanks.
This damn, old ATM just won't work,
standing here pushing buttons, looking like a jerk.
I like cheese and winebut when hungry I can
dip into my backpack for a jar of Peter Pan.
Someone call Chattanooga number 886-6523 "pleaza"
tell Mom, Dad, or Aliza to call quick to Visa.
Lisa is waiting as I search the sky.
Help, help, another bullet train just went by.
The town of Grenoble is waiting for me
to come and study at its university.
Well that's all folks from Geoffrey Cohen
on August 31st I end this poem.
I could go for a pret sandwich, too. I think you forgot the accent mark on Celia's name the second time, which really surprised me. Paris sounds so lovely. Maybe some day we will get a nonstop Chatt to Paris flight. Time to go get ready for massive ice creamers.
tu vas le sentir... et t'as raison, tu vas le réaliser plus tard. ça va être après que tu visites paris et tu es entrain d'aller rencontrer ta famille d'accueil. :) bonne chance, je suis sûre qu'ils vont t'adorer! mais pour maintenant, j'espère que tu t'amuses beaucoup! même avec la fatigue. déjà, c'est impressionnant que tu parlais avec la médecine tout en français! tu es courageux. continues à faire ce blog... comme ça, je vis par procuration à travers tes aventures... gros bis!
Liz and Alvin called before we went to your house for the ice cream party. Aunt Liz felt so, so bad about your VISA, she and Alvin wanted to know your address and how they could wire you money!!
Awww, too bad we weren't in London during your layover, that would have been fun. This post makes me hungry, and you should take pictures. and this is Bekah, sorry, i'm always signed in on this identity.
that sounds awesome! except maybe the hummus...glad your having fun. ive been listening to dont stop me now, cecilia, down on the corner, rocketman etc. excessively in your honor. cant wait for more posts. have fun!
I just drooled all over the keyboard because all the food you are eating sounds so good.
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