Massive Paris Blog #1: Versailles.

But first I would like to finally introduce you to my friends. (The above picture was taken in Arles.)

This is Carolyn. She is probably one of the most joyful people I have ever met. The first week we were here, I overheard countless people telling her how wonderful they felt talking to her – that she truly listened, that she cared, that she was so positive and encouraging. TJ Metcalf Jersey Carolyn lives in the same room that I do in our Murrier house. She whistles and sings all the time – often with Susanna, who you will meet in a minute. Her tub of Vaseline is always nearby. And she does the most hilarious yoga instructor impersonation when we all stretch together in the evenings.

This is Susanna. This girl has so much beauty and mystery surrounding her. I very much would like to see her paintings, her etchings, and hear her play the violin. (She almost went to Belmont University in Nashville, TN to study music, but changed her mind last minute and came to SCAD for painting!) She was enraptured by the orchestra ensemble we stumbled across randomly in the Metro in Paris. Susanna is out hiking a mountain today. If we don’t know where she is, that’s what we assume she’s doing. I love that she sings in the shower all the time. She has a beautiful voice.

This is Marissa. She has the prettiest blue eyes (here, looking green) and the best sense of humor. All my girls have such great humor – such great laughs. But I think Marissa pulls us all together in our silliness. She is so laid back and approachable. It was quite interesting meeting her the first week – I sat with her randomly on the bus ride to Lacoste and learned that before she came to SCAD she was at a school for missions – now she’s here for photography – just like me. John Lovett Jersey Interesting connection & overlap of interests.

I did not expect to form such close friendships while in Lacoste. I expected to make friends… but not the kind I would want to continue hanging out with in Savannah! And three of them! A whole group, plus or minus a few extras depending on the occasion. But these are my girls. I love them. God brought us together for our time here in France, and I am so excited to see how He is working in each of them as our friendship grows stronger.

So – now that you know my people, I would like to share one big adventure from Paris: Versailles.

The inside of Versailles was gorgeous – but I had seen pictures before, so I had an idea of what to expect. Reggie Turner Jersey However. No camera could ever capture what it felt like to walk through the Hall of Mirrors mid-afternoon. TJ Metcalf Michigan Jersey Golden sun poured in from the windows, golden objects catching the light, shiny decorations, mirrored surfaces, crystal, a light airiness abounding in the hall… yet grounded by walls decorated in the most delicate details. Daniel Cruz Jersey Regal. I could not stay inside myself – I was instantly transported to another time, another way of living – alternate definitions of femininity and honor and value. How strange to think that had this been my palace I would waddle (gracefully, of course) down that hall with all my petticoats, my dresses, my lace.

We were all especially eager to see the gardens. Jack Lamb Jersey Within minutes our feet weren’t too happy.

I had pistachio ice cream for the first time. See my mustachio? Marissa documented our ice cream eating experiences.

After that we made one of the best decisions of the entire trip – at Susanna’s suggestion, of course. I had my doubts at first. But it was so incredibly worth it: riding bikes around Versailles. We took them out until closing time, and it only cost me £11. So worth it. My feet suffered a good deal from all the walking in Paris – so this afternoon was rather magical. A sudden weightlessness, a glorious afternoon breeze rushing past us, dancing sunlight shining through bright green leaves all around. We rested at the other end of the lake on the grass.

Dipped our toes in.

Marissa got creative with perspective.

So perfect – the light, the family, the buggy. I love how they faced their baby the same way they were sitting. Jaylen Reed Jersey That’s how it should be. There was quite a lot of romance going on around the gardens – many, many couples in the grass on blankets. Some with toddlers. George Frazier Jersey Sweet families. Devin Cregan Jersey Dylan Sampson Jersey I was extremely surprised to find all the park-like activity going on at Versailles! I mean, it’s a palace! But it felt put to good use as a modern-day place to spend a sunny afternoon – a picnic, a romantic date, playing with your kids, riding bikes, paddling across the lake, hiking through the woods, enjoying an ice cream or snack. There were many runners. A’Shawn Robinson Alabama Jersey All the activity beyond just visiting was a big shock to me – and I was glad to see it. I doubt we would have seen much of the gardens had we not rented the bikes. Best decision ever. So perfect.

After that we were nuts and rounded out the trip with the Eiffel Tower! Mega dose of touristy France for me, but it was worth it. I counted 671 steps down from the second platform – the line was just too slow and we got impatient. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in addition to Versailles in one day made for some super exhaustion.

Although at times the massive hoards of tourists tended to upset me and infringe upon my enjoyment of our visits… there’s no way I could ever regret going. Michael Terry III Texas Longhorns Jersey That day – Saturday – in particular. The spontaneity of it all is what got me – what made the day so incredibly joyous. I hadn’t even planned on going to Versailles… earlier that day I didn’t even want to. Susanna and Marissa invited me last minute. Xavier Kelly Jersey I was feeling the pressure to spend some time wandering about – having some Rachel time in Paris, “Lost-walking,” taking photographs. Throughout my stay in Paris, much of how I spent my time was dictated by the required visits I had for each class – and my fear of missing one. Sure, I had free time. I guess I was just wanting to stake my claim on a whole day… decide how to spend it. Well, Versailles was the perfect solution. Sure, I made plans to go. But what happened – the whirlwind wonderfulness, the glory of the afternoon, time spent outdoors in the sunshine, relaxing, breathing, exercising, taking it all in – and not having expected how refreshing it would be! That was all God. I could not have planned something like that for myself. I could not have orchestrated, calculated, or configured such a wonderful afternoon – my internal desires corresponding with the warmth of sun, the beauty of light, the rush of air – being surrounded by adventure and complete peace.

On this first day back from Paris, I am inundated by folders upon folders of photos on my hard drive. Hunter Smith Texas A&M Aggies Jersey So this blog entry will be more in immediate response to my experiences rather than depicting/documenting them visually.

Paris… was not what I expected. We left on Wednesday at 6:30 AM and got back to Lacoste last night (Sunday) at 11 PM… Camron Buckley Jersey at which point I fell into bed. After hauling my luggage up the hill, I barely had enough energy to shower and unpack enough to be able to function.

My stay in Paris was not pervaded by as much fear as I would have expected. The first day? Sure. So many new things! A desk man to collect my key from daily, food to purchase throughout the day, transportation – maps, crosswalks, the twenty Arrondissements, the underground maze of Metro stations hidden below the streets of Paris. The walk from Gare de Lyon to the hotel was beyond exhausting with so much weight cutting across my back, but it offered a 30-minute visual overview to the massive complexities of inner-city life. Jamuni McNeace Jersey De’Veon Smith Jersey Fruit stands, complicated intersections, bike lanes, gelato and crepe stands on every corner… the Seine and its peddler people. We WALKED by Notre Dame. That one got me. I’ve seen the rose window, the flying buttresses, the recessed doorways for years and years in textbooks- but while walking to our hotel, we just stumbled upon it. Markee Anderson Jersey A shock to my senses. History suddenly snapped into the context of the present day, present geography, present existence. Joshua Robinson Jersey Such a strange feeling. I experienced that at the Eiffel tower and at Versailles as well. E’Torrion Wilridge UGA Jerseys Too many stories. I shall save those for later.

I was blown away by the nightlife of Paris. Theron Sapp Jersey My latest night was the last night – Saturday. We spent all day at Versailles – RIDING BIKES in the glorious afternoon sun – watched the sunset, then visited the Eiffel Tower in the late evening. Between 12 and 1 AM we were stumbling around in complete exhaustion and delirium from the day’s adventures, looking for a bite to eat on the way back to the hotel. I was shocked by the level of activity I witnessed closer to home – everyone was out! Drinking, wandering the streets, skating, perusing, snacking, smooching – everywhere! The city was by no means as tired as I was. Every night I was able to get the full sleep my body demanded only because I packed a pair of ear plugs.

Paris was an absolute whirlwind… Joe Burrow OSU Jersey and I actually haven’t had the opportunity to write about my experiences and reflect on them much until now. Talyn Taylor Jersey Even amid all the chaos of tourists packed into galleries, shoving past paintings, obscuring the glory of the Hall of Mirrors… I managed to find a place for me to be. Jake Maikkula Jerseys Some of our required visits and field trips helped with that… I got to engage with professional artists working in Paris – an art critic and collector, the keepers of the National Library (Bibliotheque Nationale), book makers, and a printmaker. I got to meet these people, see their workspaces, meet their families (even a very young grandson – sweet Benamy), enter their homes, view prints and photographs I have only seen copied in textbooks – now inches from my face, my breath.

The city overwhelmed me at times. But there was something utterly fascinating about the rapid pace of it – the enormity of it! How a simple Metro ride could transport me from the gypsy-infested courtyard of Notre Dame – all the toursists, the pigeons, the schemers – to the quiet residencies of actual Parisians. I walked past their laundromats, their cafés, their markets, their office buildings – not places a girl with a heavy backpack and camera is expected to pass through.

So much variety. I have shared the tiniest tidbit. My five days in Paris were jam packed with all sorts of small accomplishments and failures. Just the exposure to the city was worth it – I knew I wouldn’t see it all. I will miss the Metro system, though. That small confidence in transportation. The wonderful smells of food wafting about, enticing my ever-growling stomach. Davonte Davis Jersey Walking in and around history, not knowing what you’ll find. And most of all… that sweet afternoon wandering. Whether at Versailles or around the Seine… when the sun sinks low and the air is perfect – when all duties for the day are complete and you are free to take in the life around you. The spontaneity that can be lacking in a perfectly scheduled day of visits and checkpoints. Mmm. I miss that feeling.

While my feet are recovering and my shoulders are healing, I will reflect some more on my experiences.

Gotta love those pomegranate seeds coming out of my head in the photos. Aside from that… Tua Tagovailoa Alabama Crimson Tide Jersey I’m going to FRANCE! This will be my first time traveling outside the U.S., and it will also be the first time both me and my brother will be all international at the same time!

This quarter I will be studying at SCAD’s campus in Lacoste in southern France (Provence region) – about an hour north of Marseille. Duke Johnson II Jersey Semaj Morgan Michigan Wolverines Jersey I will be there from March 25th to May 25th. The lavender is supposed to be amazing this time of year! Oh my goodness golly I’m so excited! I can’t believe I’m getting on that plane (correction: those planes) tomorrow. My first international birthday as well. (Eeek! Twenty!)

Still taking a full course load:

MW Fiction Writing I (1-4)

MW Intro to Printmaking (4:30-7:30)

TR Light of Provence (4:30-7:30)

Light of Provence is a photography elective. Looking forward to writing again. I’m super excited about Printmaking ever since I made my big book to take to France… and got the idea to (possibly) make my own bookplates! I’ll have to see how it would fit with the class schedule. But I ran across Latvian printmaker Marina Terauds‘s work and was so inspired! Click this link to see my favorite bookplate of hers – gorgeous!

I don’t know a lick of French but I’ve been practicing this week.

Bonjour! Je m’appelle Rachel. Je vais á France!

We’ll see how much better I get. Christian Barmore Alabama Jersey It’s been very humbling thus far… Brady Prieskorn Jerseys I don’t think I’m too gifted with languages. Isaiah Buggs Alabama Jersey But God very sweetly pointed out to me that of course I’m struggling with this whole “picking up some travel French” thing – I’m a 100% person. I don’t do shallow. Matthew Godin Jersey I want to master a language, not dabble in it! Anyway. Alec Ingold Wisconsin Badgers Jersey That was good to realize.

Well… Whit Weeks LSU Jersey I need to get back to tidying up my carry-on. Caleb Ellis Jersey Please stop by while I’m gone – I should be posting all kinds of stories, photos, and videos while I’m there. I think I’m actually required to keep a blog as a part of my photo class! Good stuff. And I’d love it if you posted a comment to let me know what’s up with you. My phone will be off the entire time I’m gone – so the only way to contact me will be by Skype, email, and other web-related means. Jaishawn Barham Jersey Let me know if you want to send a letter, I’d be happy to send you the address :}

Navigating the French post office will be an adventure in itself. Eeee!

Á bientôt!

P.S.