The Neighborhood Next Door

Goodmorning All!

So I didn’t post last night, I edited the photos but I was just so exhausted that I passed out at like 11. Which is weird since I had a really relaxing day. I woke up like usual – We had an optional day on Monday (being that it was MLKjr day) – And so I decided that I was going to shoot. It was nice a grey and atmospheric out and a perfect day for the 4x5. So I slowly got up and took my time getting ready. OH, so at 9:30am I was just about to get out of bed and Bret had down to breakfast and there was this knock at the door and then someone opened it. At first I thought it was Bret with my blurry morning vision, but then it started talking in French, so I KNEW it wasn’t Bret. It was this guy holding two squeegees and trying to explain that he was the window washer and that it would only take a minute. Well that’s all fine – but why on earth would you wash the windows at 9:30, especially on a floor full of American college student. I love the French but I am always a little confused…

So Yeah, I got up and went out to shoot. It was my goal to go off down this street ‘Mouftarde” I think. And I had vaguely seen it as being near the FIAP and down the street just a little so I went off in search of that. Well I walked down to Place D’Italie and I hadn’t found it yet; I was getting cold and a little hungry so I decided to just take the next left. (Oh anyone who reads this could you tell me if that’s how you use a semicolon? I just sorta guess for most of my punctuation :p) Anyways I walked down to the closest sandwich shop, which was across the street from a major police station, hmmm. Got my Jambon Fromage, which to be honest seemed a bit off. The bread was great, the cheese was great, the butter was perfect, but the ham looked like the prepackaged ham you can buy at Costco. And its really good ham, but its just weird that its in a rectangular pre-sliced portions. IDK Im just not used to it, especially here.

But enough of that. I continued on my walk and found a pleasant little park. I’ll have to go back and find the name – and its not on the google maps I have, but its right where I stopped at G. That grey square in front of G is this quiet little walking park. I had a nice time there. I was shooting with the 4x5 ad this French women came up to me and started speaking like a bagillion miles a minute complimenting my camera (the 4x5). She spoke no English, but I used a little French on her and we smiled a lot. In the words of Stephen Stills “If you smile at me I will understand, because that is something everybody everywhere does in the same language.” (Now Im listening to that song!) But yeah, I had fun in the park and then I was on my way. I crossed back to where I thought Rue Sant Jacques would be. But instead of turning onto it this time I crossed it. And I found a beautiful little community. Very quiet, very full of little specialty shops, very French! Unfortunately it had begun to lightly rain, and it was no longer very fun to shoot. Plus I ran out of battery and film. So I headed back to the hostel and told myself Id go back on a better day!

Got back and then it almost immediately got nicer out so I quickly went out to shoot, but like 20 min later it got gross again. By this time it was about 3pm ish and I was ready for my nap. So I napped and woke up. Bret an I went down to the bar before dinner around 6. We got dinner, which was probably the best dinner at FIAP yet. The risotto is really good! Had some wine. Finished the night by skyping with Minali, and editing pictures. Really a pretty relaxing day, I don’t know why I was so tired by the end of it. But no worry, Im awake now at 7am Tuesday. I’ll probably go back to sleep after I post this, I just wanted to get it out.

IDK whats my plan today – I think I’ll go in around 10 and develop my 120 rolls (That I should have done yesterday) but whateves, Im really glad I found that little community! I should also make some silver prints soon, hmmmm.

Until later today or tomorrow! BYE ALL!