Shopping, Lunch...and Party Time!

8 September 2012

My first weekend in Grenoble, France! I woke up early to meet with Jessica, Lori, and Kati, and we all headed out on the tram to find one of the biggest flea markets in Grenoble, and it most definitely was big. There were shopping stands everywhere, with piles of clothes upon piles of clothes, purses hanging from more purses, more colognes and perfumes than a Macy's on Black Friday, and enough jewelry to make you go blind in an instant. It was very crowded, and as we shopped around I couldn't help but think how much of this merchandise was stolen...and how much of this stolen merchandise was being stolen in this huge crowd! We didn't stay for very long, and we left empty handed. I'll have to return their some day once I improve my haggling skills!

After exploring the flea market, we stopped by a small restaurant for lunch. We all ordered separate penne pastas, mine being a penne arrabiata. The French waitress told me that it was very spicy, but by French standards, spicy is the equivalent of a small drop of hot sauce that accidentally dripped into a cold salad. Either way, it was quite delicious!

Among all of the eating and shopping, we also managed to fit in a little mixture of the two. We went to a store called Monoprix (which is right across the street from me!) where it's half department store, half grocery store, half bakery, and half bookstore. Too many halves in one whole, I know, but this place is just that amazing. What's even more amazing is the bakery they have. The pastries and bread looked absolutely delicious! If I had won the lottery before flying over here to France, I would stop by this place every day and buy one of everything.

I also bought some dark chocolate for myself, a little pick-me-up for those upcoming late nights of studying!

I bought bread too, but that's not as exciting as chocolate!

After settling down back at home and taking a quick one hour re-charge nap, I went out on my own and came across a cute little café called Bookworm Café, owned by a very nice woman named Mag, who is Scottish! She was very pleasant, and the café was adorable. I plan to make frequent stops there during the school weeks for studying, coffee, and meeting some lovely folk!

After visiting the café I made plans with Paige to meet her at the tram stop, and we went off in search of Jessica and Kati, and with them were Jimmy, Z, and two other people named Ben and Kristen, and we all went to a local pub to enjoy some drinks. Me and Kristen hit it off pretty much instantly. We got along so well, shared more than a few laughs, and made plans to go salsa dancing this week, I am so excited! After a few drinks at the bar we headed out to Jardin de Ville and we sat in the grass and talked for hours under the stars, and of course surrounded by the gorgeous mountains. We shared stories and laughs, and thoroughly enjoyed each others' company. While in the park we encountered some French high schoolers playing guitar and singing and dancing in the gazebo, so naturally we joined them. Our French singing wasn't quite up to par, but it was very fun nonetheless!