French cocktails, French graffiti, French rioting

Dear Reader,

I have not had class for 1.5 weeks. Last Saturday, the riot police broke into the Sorbonne and chased 200 students out of the historic building, arresting 11. This entire week, the Sorbonne is closed for renovation of damages of up to 1million euros. There is graffiti everywhere, on the scaffolding of the Sorbonne (which is receiving a facelift), on the statues adorning the square. But it has gone too far. Slogans like "Vive le Communisme" in a rakish red that even dear Chairman Mao would approve of, slathered across shattered store windows.

Tuesday, there was a student march at the Place St. Michel, and tear gas was liberally dispersed. There will be a march on Saturday, a grand one, THE grand one. And yes, I am going to see it. Shhh, I'm not supposed to. But how can I miss such a historic event?

But I have to say, there is a line. I support everyone's right, especially in this case, to protest being wronged, but don't you dare, don't you DARE touch the historical and cultural artifacts of this city. Too many times in history, precious tomes, objets d'art and testaments to the greatness of mankind have been destroyed by ignorant conquerors and supposedly egalitarian-minded revolutionaries wanting to erase vestiges of bourgeois + intellectual + royal heritage. When I think of how much cultural heritage China has lost in its "revolutions", it makes me sick to the stomach. And it saddens me, sickens me, to see the French students willfully destroy the Sorbonne, willfully desecrate statues--do you not appreciate the great gift you have been given? To live, breathe, study one of the most marvelous cities in the world? There is NO excuse whatsoever, do not even try.

There was also another march today outside of CUPA, regarding sports education program. 5 high school boys stood on top of the cinema roof, baring their lovely round behinds with words painted on. Hundreds of students and teachers wearing tshirts sprayed with a profusion of protests proceeded to run down the rue de Rennes shouting and gesticulating.

I love France. I really do. And above all, Paris.

Last night, Regina Naomi and I went to a cafe-bar to meet up with Mathieu, whom I'd met at the first CUPA soiree, and his friends. Mathieu did an exchange at Harvard last school year and taught French and knows all my former TFs. Now I never think of my TFs as actually having a life, because I know them only contexualized in class. They don't have lives, they're TFs!

Well last night, among Mathieu's friends was another former Harvard TF, whom Naomi knows, and whose class, French 48b, I'd shopped, named Charles. Naomi and I agreed later that it was slightly bizarre to know these "TFs" outside the context of Harvard--we never realized how young they actually are (22-24)...and there we were, joking, drinking (yes, actually drinking) with them!?! Did I say..surreal?

Speaking of drinks, all the cocktails listed were in English, and Naomi decided to get a Sex on the Beach, whereupon I followed with an order of "Screaming Orgasm". Charles remarked that it was a very logical order, as one must have sex first in order to have an orgasm. Well made remark. The waiter looked at me and demanded, "Young lady, do you know what a Screaming Orgasm is?" I responded (laughing and lubricated by 1 glass of wine I gulped at the CUPA soiree beforehand), "Of course I know, I'm an American!" And then I realized how that could be interpreted. Oh my. Well.

It was incredibly enjoyable, however, just to sip a cocktail and talk with Mathieu's friends, who were very witty and easygoing and fun to talk to.

I love Paris so much...blindly so!