Sunday, February 3, 2013

Today we slept in because we stayed up late and were super tired. I worked on my blog and edited some pictures this morning, and then we all headed into Marais and Ménilmontant, also known as the Jewish Quarter. As the French name implies, the area was a marsh/swamp before it was converted into farmland. It was once home to aristocrats and their mansions. It is now a trendy area with quaint shops, bookstores, and cafés, and cobblestone streets. Because it was cold and cloudy and we were quite tired, we didn't plan to see any of the major landmarks such as Bastille ou Place des Vosges, mais we did go to what is supposedly the most popular place to get falafel...and it was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted! It was falafel topped with spices and veggies in a toasted pita...yummmmy!! We also walked around, and I got my first pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) from a pâtisserie. Afterwards, we came back to la Cité and explored the campus. We found a pool and a workout room...success!!