Paris: Markets

I went to three different markets last Friday! Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, so I don’t have pictures, but they were all a lot of fun. I went to class in the morning, and then I met Jackie to go to Le Marche des Enfants Rouges. There was lots of fresh fruit, cheeses, meats, breads, etc. It was actually a little small though; perhaps I was spoiled by the market in Barcelona. I think there are other ones around Paris that are supposed to be better though. We ended up getting Moroccan food from the market for lunch, and then we wandered around the Marais and went into lots of little shops.

Then another friend called and asked if I was free, so we went to the Fetes des Vendanges in Montmartre. Montmartre is pretty hilly (and it’s way steeper and bigger than Beacon Hill), but the winding roads are so quaint that it’s really enjoyable to walk around. But also very touristy. There are lots of artists painting in front of you and selling their works. Romain actually told me that some paintings are made in China and then the artists just sell them to tourists here. I guess that’s one way to make a profit, but it’s kind of depressing! I like the idea of supporting the artists…though I suppose they probably don’t want to paint Eiffel towers all day.

There were also a lot of tents where they were selling wine, beer and cheese, so we got a beer and sat on the steps in front of the Sacre Coeur. There was a pretty cool view of Paris, though it felt far away from everything. I guess that’s because it sort of is far away. : )

Then we walked through the city and made our way to Parc des Buttes Chaumont, which is a gorgeous park. It had a really nice pond with lots of fat ducks, waterfalls, a bridge leading to the top of a hill with an awesome view…probably the prettiest park in Paris!

Eventually, I went home and kicked off my shoes since I was quite tired after all that walking. But then my roommate Johan sent a text saying that we could go to the Marche de Pays de l’Aveyron if I wanted to. We had already talked about it earlier in the week, and I had said I wanted to go, so I felt like I should, especially since I didn't have anything else planned. So Sabine and I walked to the metro and met up with him, and it was another festival with lots of tents selling beer, wine, and traditional food on a closed-off street. It was sprinkling on and off, which was quite annoying because there wasn't enough room under the tents, but it was still a fun setting. There was even a brass band playing traditional songs that lots of people were singing along to.

The party stopped at 10pm, but people were still finishing up their drinks. Eventually someone came through telling everyone “The police are coming. Stop acting drunk!” and I was pleased I understood the slang.

One of Johan’s friends is from the Aveyron area (southern France, sort of close to Toulouse), so we ended up following him to the after-party with the band. They brought out the pastis (a licorice drink from southern France) and played some more traditional songs that I didn't recognize at all. Some people were dancing, and it was just a very strange but funny atmosphere.

At one point, they played a Basque song called “Paquito Chocolatero,” which was a very catchy tune. A bunch of people started moving their hands up and down from over their heads to horizontal to the ground like they were praising someone. Then people sat on the floor in a train, one behind the other, doing the same movement with their hands. Sabine grabbed my hand and said it’s a dance, let’s go, so we joined the train and did the same thing. I really thought it was a group dance like at weddings where you all grab each other’s shoulders and follow the first person around. Anyway, it turned into crowd surfing. Yes, crowd surfing on the ground. The person did the same sort of movement back at the train of people on the ground and then he dove onto the group, and we were supposed to support him and pass him down the line. Every time the guy got to me (and Sabine, she’s so little), we couldn't support him and he pretty much crushed us and rolled off to the side. I was practically crying from laughing so hard because this was ridiculous and totally unexpected. Even band members went while playing their instruments. And then the person at the front of the train would stand up and dive onto everyone and the remaining people would slide forward. When I finally got to the front of the train, I just crawled away…My arms hurt all weekend. I guess somebody needs to do some more push-ups And just be warned, if you see a strange dance like that, it’s probably best not to join in.

It was similar to this, but we were moving our hands back and forth, not side to side. Only after I crawled away did I notice that there were only guys in the line on the ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GNe44UEH60

Sacre Coeur