I went to go see Caroline today. It was fantastic.
Last night I put on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and turned off the light. I was sleepy after five minutes and closed my eyes. I woke up with a start this morning to see my laptop sitting on the chair that I use as a nightstand; it was still plugged in and on. I quickly unplug it, turned off the computer, and tried to go back to sleep. The damage had already been done. I turned my laptop back on and started my day. I spent most of the morning eating a snickers and potato chips in bed while watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I've missed the show, and now I can use it as an excuse to not do anything with my life. I was meeting Caroline at one so I got myself out of bed by 9:45 and did my pop reading. I wanted to wear my fuzzy socks while I read but I seem to have lost them. I slipped them off inside of my bed while I was skyping with mom last night, and now they're missing. I'm sad without them.
It was still early so I watched another episode of Gilmore Girls before doing my hair and makeup. I want to look like an adult when I see Caroline so I took a lot of time picking out my outfit. I finally decided on my gray sweater dress, my v-neck black sweater, new white scarf, my fleece tights, and cute brown boots. I even took the time to try to clean my coat. I took a razor and many strips of tape, and it only looked slightly better than before by the end of it. I had a few more minutes before I had to leave so I spent some time lounging on the internet. I emailed Caroline at 11:40 that I was leaving the house, grabbed my coat, and went out the door. Of course Hanna had to catch the elevator right before the doors closed. We made chit chat in the elevator and then both walked out the front gate. Awkward.
I did my familiar walk across the Austerlitz bridge and then took the street between the train station and jardin des plantes. It was hotter than I expected it to be so I took off my coat and scarf while walking. I didn't wear my glasses today because I didn't want to mess up my makeup. Vain but true. I was forced take detours to get next to the street signs so I could find the right street. I thought that I had gone to far, and was just about to turn around, when I saw her street.
I found number five, entered the door code, and went into the building. I found Caroline's name on the intercom and called her apartment. She told me to come up to the 8th floor. I got myself into the tiny elevator and went upstairs. I was greeted at the door by Caroline and her dog Lily. I put my things next to the door and went inside.
Caroline's apartment is beautiful. The apartment is one two floors, and he has two patio areas on either side of the upstairs area. The apartment is filled with beautiful furniture and artwork. She had set the table with beautiful flower print plates and cups. There was bread and jam, ham, orange juice, brie, swiss cheese, and grapes already sitting on the table waiting for us. She poured herself a glass of orange juice and poured a glass of wine for me and we went outside to enjoy our drinks in the sunlight. We sat and talked while munching on walnuts and almonds while we waited for Hajar.
After awhile we went inside to prepare the rest of brunch. We made a mushroom and potato omelet and a salad with basalmic vinegar. After awhile Caroline called Hajar to see where she was. It was already about two. It turns out that Hajar had mixed up the dates and had ended up making plans with her friends. She told Caroline to give me her number so that we could make a date for coffee; we'll just have to meet another time. While we were cooking her husband came upstairs. He is a very nice, introspective man. Caroline convinced him to bring a phone for me so that I can call her and Hajar while I'm in France. He brought the phone upstairs and we set the table for brunch. Caroline made a pot of coffee and we started our meal. Brunch was delicious. I mostly ate pieces of baguette with strawberry jam and butter, but I also had some of the omelet (I ate eggs!!) and some salad with brie. I also had a huge glass of orange juice along with multiple cups of strong coffee with milk and sugar while I finished my wine. During lunch we spoke both French and English so that I could practice my language skills.
Caroline's husband Marcel only stayed with us for a few minutes. He was in the middle of doing some writing. While Marcel was still at the table, Caroline invited me to see a musical on Sunday. It's about Billie Holiday's life and is going to be in the Vincennes park. I'm so excited to go! She told me that we could meet there because she's going to be in the countryside this weekend. The conversation drifted a bit, and she ended up inviting me to go to the countryside with her this weekend! I'm so excited. She an her husband have a countryhouse in Normandy; they even have a horse. We're going to plant her new rose bushes and make pasta with white sauce. We've also decided to go to the patisserie to pick out lots of desserts so I can try them all. This is going to be the best weekend ever.
Caroline and I stayed at the table eating salad and chatting over coffee. After awhile she called Marcel to come for dessert. We had a traditional rice pudding from Breton with grapes and more coffee. After dessert Caroline and I chatted at the table for awhile longer before going downstairs. I have such amazing conversations with Caroline. We talk about art and literature and France. She's so smart and insightful. We're the perfect pair.
After we ran out of coffee we went downstairs to where the bedrooms and studies are. I was instantly attracted to her book collection. We looked at her books for a bit, and she lent one to me! I need a new book after I finished the Phantom Tollbooth. I can't read Poe all the time; he's just too scary. I'll let you know how my reading adventures go. We then went on google maps so that she can see my parent's house, and then we googled the town where her country home is. We also looked up where she vacations in Croatia and where her mother lives. Caroline told me all about her world travels and where she vacations. She has had the most interesting life.
After our googling we took her dog for a walk. Caroline wanted to show me the mosque and tea room so we walked over there. The mosque is beautiful. I'd never seen a mosque before, but have always loved studying them. Islamic architecture is so detailed and beautiful. I really regretted not wearing my glasses. I went inside the mosque while Caroline waited outside with her dog. The mosque is all white with white and blue flower print tiles on the walls with a stunning garden in the open courtyard. The decoration is so intricate and geometric. I want to go back to see it again. After the mosque we walked towards her apartment while talking about a museum that she had been to in the neighborhood that had a collection of babies in jars that had birth defects. She said that mythology had come from people trying to explain anomalies in real life. I had never thought about it that way. On our walk we also passed the natural history museum. It's an old building, and we could see skeletons in the window. It kinda of creeped me out and fascinated me all at the same time.
We got to the intersection and went out separate ways. I'll see her this weekend.
I walked home in such a good mood that I think I might have actually been smiling. Big mistake. I got to the intersection of Daumesnil and Rue de Lyon when I saw a man standing on the corner. I knew I was in trouble when I heard him whistling and saw his figure come up behind me. He leaned against the pole that sticks out of the middle of the sidewalk and bonjoured me. I didn't respond so he continued with ça va and some other French words that I didn't understand. I didn't even blink. The best part about creepy French men hitting on you in the street is that if you don't acknowledge them they get the hint and just go away. I was so thankful when the light turned green. I pulled my push in front of me and walked as quickly as I could home.
It was almost six, and I was supposed to skype with mom at eight. I edited my histories paper and then took a break to online shop at Nordstrom Rack. I think the wine is still making me slightly lightheaded. I didn't find anything good online, and then turned my attention to my pop paper. The paper is coming horribly. I just don't know what to do with it. It's too bad to take to Nic or Mindy, but I'm too frustrated with it to do anything with it myself. I can't ignore it, but I really want to.
At eight o'clock I tried skyping with mommy. My internet connection has been terrible all night and we kept getting disconnected and breaking up. We're going to try again tomorrow after I get out of class. While we could still talk she made sure to ask me what gift I took to Caroline's. I had totally forgotten to take a hostess gift. My mother always succeeds in making me feel like I've messed something up.
I was disappointed that we couldn't really talk, but I was kinda glad. I was starving, and I don't think my growling stomach would have allowed me to get through an hour phone call without seriously growling. Drinking always makes me hungry. I made myself some ramen and settled in with an episode of Gilmore Girls. I should really get to bed, but one episode of Gilmore Girls never killed anyone….right?
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