Mon Quartier

La Bastille

It struck me the other night, camera in hand while waiting at the metro for my roommate before a much-needed sushi dinner, that I have yet to take any photos of the neighborhood in which I have been living in for the past 3 months. 

An awesome location, in my opinion, la Bastille is considered central Paris, and is one of the oldest sections of the city, just bordering on the Marais which is arguably the oldest bourgeoise neighborhood.  Formerly home to the Bastille Prison (where countless numbers of prisoners were held over the years which was later "stormed" during the French Revolution) the Bastille is home to an eclectic group of people - from artists to families, punk-rockers to Rasta-Jack (the rastafarian who lives in the telephone booth next to the metro station and greets everyone every morning with his "pimp cup"/chalice of champagne). I love living here and will surely miss it at the end of my stay. 

The Bastille Memorial tower. Comes in very handy when you're walking and get a little lost because it can been seen over all the buildings. 

L'Opéra Bastille, one of 3 opera houses in Paris 

Le Bastille Café, the 24 hours cafe right near the metro that is always happening. 

My metro stop

Carnival at Place Bastille that is always serving crêpes, gaufres (waffles) cotton candy, and many other goodies.

Arcade near Carnival Area 

Vélib Station

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

I knew I'd like Amsterdam based on what everyone who has been there has told me, but I did not realize how much I would love it! If I wasn't studying in Paris, London and Amsterdam would definitely be be my next two top choices. With the canals, beautiful buildings and a lot of culture, it would definitely be an awesome place to live. If only I spoke Dutch.....

clearly the Dutch hate to bike

Baby in the front, kiddie in the back. Definitely a first time seeing one of these - surprised they haven't caught on in the States.

Christmas decorations!!

wish I knew what this said

amazing bakery where I bought some Stroopwaffel - potentially the most delicious thing ever created: two flat waffle cookies with a layer of caramel inside. yummmy 

subtle warning the Red Light District is near

like a sperm bank but for your marijuana plant

Even though many parts of Amsterdam have a slight weed scent lingering in the air, it is hard to tell who actually is smoking because everyone and anyone does it there, plus so many europeans hand roll their cigarettes to its hard to tell what's a joint and what's a cigarette. But in this instance we say the sketchiest man ever in Amsterdam, walking around, hood-up, drug-rug blanket over his shoulders smokin' a J. 

casual advertisement right near the Rijksmuseum 

Rijksmuseum

smallest food truck ever

Tulip Market

a place my mom would have loved! it was blocks and blocks of bulbs for thousands of types of tulips and other flowers

Giant Music Box

Heineken Experience

Amsterdam, home to Heineken beer, has a place called the Heineken Experience which is an interactive museum for adults (18+) where you "get turned into a beer" through a simulation, get to grind your own wheat for the beer, taste a Heineken before it become alcoholic (very sugary) and learn to pour the perfect Heineken and drink a Heineken differently. Apparently it is different from other beers from a tap. Who knew?!