Ginners in Paris- My Parisian Musings: So much more than a poppy...

This weekend was strange for me. Remembrance weekend has always and will always be a huge part of my life and means so much to me. I've discovered through being in France just how well Britain does Remembrance weekend.

The 11th November, Armistice day, is a national holiday in France and we decided to head to the Arc de Triomphe for the service of remembrance in the morning. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. All the roads coming off the arc were blocked off and heavily policed so we could only stand and watch from about 200 metres away, we couldn't hear the speech and could barely see what was going on. Being British I couldn't help but compare it with the service in our own capital and how un-involved the public here were.
Remembrance day to me is a solemn day in which we remember those who have died at conflict and those who are still dying today. Being a musician, the music to me forms a huge part in allowing people time to reflect. The music at the service was not sombre or reflective but felt more triumphant and I couldn't help but feel this day was treated more as a day of celebration than reflection.
The main thing that upset me however was the political protests that took part against the French socialist President Francois Hollande. I feel of all the 365 days in the year, choosing this one to actively protest through a ceremony of remembrance was wrong on so many levels. We chose to leave at this point, which was probably wise as we checked later, around 22 arrests were made following this.
Although this made me sad, I am glad I experienced it.

I think the difference in these 2 news articles says it all;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24893272http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24896789

Following this we went for a walk all the way up the river as it was the most crisp* day and then walked down canal Saint Martin and got massively judged for taking the worlds most edgy photos. Then had a meeting with our year abroad supervisor in a little restaurant just away from Bastille. It was lovely to meet up and talk about our year abroad and made me realise just how much I am enjoying myself here.

We then walked home. Now, following our drunken affairs last week, the security guards at work that we like to think are a bit like our 'hostel uncles' have had a running joke that we're alcoholics. Which was only further worsened when the handymen at work came into our room to change the curtains and had to fight the way through our growing collection of wine and beer bottles. Needless to say, we've tidied, but we can't tidy away the shame.

Today was a grim and horribly rainy day, so we spent most of the morning hoping it would stop before heading to Auchan to buy all the essentials we had put off buying in the hope that the toothpaste tube and the shower gel bottle would magically refill themselves.

This evening we went to the cutest French restaurant (I know, an actual French restaurant) in the Marais and I had the nicest 3 course meal for a bargain 15 euros. Actual Parisian dream.

I can't believe I only have 5 weeks left here, it's going so fast and I don't think I'm ever going to want to leave!**

*British expression for a cold but not wet day, massive fan
**I do miss you all really***
***mainly the dog