Feb 22

Britney, Michelle, Stephanie, and I decided to meet Michelle's roommate, Ben, at the New York Club on Friday night, since Ben's friend had organized a party there and we were on the list - or so we thought. Unfortunately, the snobby French bouncer decided there was no more list, and, eyeing us critically, decided we could not enter the club. Instead, he let Ben - the sole guy - in by himself! In the US (and usually Paris), a group of girls is virtually guaranteed entrance into any nightspot. We determined that the sole possible reason was that we were Americans, while Ben was French. Thus, we decided to venture to another club instead, an Australian bar playing early 90s American pop and filled to the brim with rowdy party-goers, where we decided to have fun anyway!

The next day, Brit, Michelle, Steph and I went to a fondue restaurant in Montmartre with Michelle's French friend, Sebastien (Sebastien used to work for the same agency Michelle does now). Sebastien brought his girlfriend, who we affectionately dubbed "The Finn" due to her Finnish heritage. This wasn't any fondue restaurant: it possessed only two tables that went wall-to-wall, so that the waiters were required to practically catapult Michelle (and any other patrons having the misfortune of sitting on the table's opposite side) over the table with a chair! Then, for 17 euros, we were treated to a glass of wine, appetizers, fondue, dessert, and yet another wine, this time served in a "biberon," or baby bottle (I hear it's to get around the wine glass-tax law?) The restaurant was quite fun and cozy due to our close proximity to the other diners, whom we quickly befriended. Interestingly enough, we were seated next to a French guy who looked exactly like Simon Camden from 7th Heaven. Even more hilarious: his French compatriots knew he looked like Simon, and knew the show and theme song.

On Sunday, despite our fatigue, we finally met the 4th girl from our Craigslist apartment search, Marjorie. She took us to a great falafel place in the Marais, where we stuffed our faces to our hearts' content, and then went to see "Ce Que Pensent Les Hommes" -  also known as "He's Just Not that Into You" - direct translation - "What Men Think." In France, popcorn is sold both sweet and salted, and I was quite delighted to have a mainstream movie theater vindicate my sugared-popcorn addiction. After only a tiny bit of cajoling, I was able to get the Champs-Elysees concession-stand worker to mix both salty and sweet popcorn in one container, to create what will now be my signature French popcorn.