Fashion Week: the good, the bad and the ugly

As the tents and trailers and models and cameras rolled in this week for the Pret-a-porter shows, so did the tourists, the closed lanes and the traffic. Two lessons learned: allow 25 extra minutes minimum to get anywhere and always carry a camera. Just to scratch the surface of what I have seen this week: the skinniest women in the world, sky-high heels, fur coats and one silver metallic fingerless glove. But who am I to complain-I get to be in Paris for Fashion Week.
On Thursday morning we arose at 6:30 to see the sunrise at the Sacre Coeur- a church up on a hill which overlooks all of Paris. The weather had been clear all week so we thought the conditions were optimal. Regardless of the freezing cold, I think this is a necessary adventure for anyone visiting Paris. It was absolutely stunning and it lacked all the peddlers and crazy people who normally hang out in Montmartre. Outside the sunrise was glorious as was the church inside. Wonderfully peaceful, it was a fantastic way to start the day. Much to our surprise, the church still has a group of nuns (full habit-wearing nuns) who practice in the church and live next door. While we were walking through the ambulatory of the church, they were on the altar praying and then started singing. It was quite magical. After the sun had risen, we went to have breakfast in the Marais and got to school in time for our first class. All in all a very productive morning.
Friday, two high school friends came into town so I met them at the train station and took them to their hotel. It felt nice to actually be the knowledgeable one for once. Saturday we explored the area around the eiffel tower which I had not done yet. We didn't climb it because Paris on Saturdays is mind-blowingly crowded. I showed them the Champs-Elysees, Hotel des Invalides and the Louvre.
Today, Laurel and I went to a flea market. Suffice to say, I cannot let myself go every weekend or I will completely blow my budget. They are so cool! Everything from old prints, to clothes, to street signs and dishes. Everything you could every want, really. I got a beautiful antique map, shell dish and a silver egg cup. One stand had a vintage Chanel bag for 1500 euro. yikes. Tonight, Helene made dinner for Sonia's birthday which was on Thursday. I think it was one of the most French meals I have had so far.
Midterms start this week. Oh no....

Notable Meals:
Sunday
Lunch: Mushroom and cheese crepe from a stand at the flea market. So amazingly delicious. Galettes (savory crepes) are made out of buckwheat flour instead of white and have a rich, earth taste. With the mushrooms and cheese it was absolutely etherial. And only 3.50 euro

Dinner:
Salad of spinach and arugula with shrimp and mushrooms with Thomas's famous balsamic vinaigrette.
Boeuf bourguignon with polenta. (I had never had this dish, though I have heard so much about it. It fulfilled all of my dreams about it)
Chocolate fondue.

During dinner Helene was asking if we ever ate lamb or rabbit, which of course I said yes, so she said she will make her rabbit ragu with gnocci soon. I cannot wait.