A Taste Of Parisian Life: Rodin and Rodents

Today we met in the morning at the Musee Marmottan Monet. To get there we had to walk through this beautiful park, in the light rain. The museum was full of school children, so not that enjoyable. But they had a really interesting collection of Monet's late work and a wonderful room of medieval illuminated manuscripts. There was also a few paintings of Julie Manet by her fabulous mother, Berthe Morisot, which I automatically liked because of the model's name and thought that we looked similar. Then we took a few people to our neighborhood cafe/boulangerie for lunch. It was really delicious and nice to sit outside and people-watch. Then it was a five-minute walk to the Musee Rodin. I had only seen three or four works by him, and was indifferent towards his most famous work. But this visit was by far the best, so far. It was moving, inspiring, and completely different and unique to see his work in person. I fell head-over-heels, mad crazy in love with Rodin. Wandering through the gardens and the forest, where his bronzes were hidden and secluded, was fantastic. I was in complete awe at his talent and genius and the unique quality of his process. The more I saw the more hopeless my love became. Each one of his pieces was monumental and captivating. I desperately listened to every word my professor had to say. The best part was being able to walk completely around the pieces, to see it from every angle. This is why I came to Paris. I could wax poetic about this visit and Rodin for ages and ages, so I'll stop.... After this profound experience, I avoided my midterm by going shopping with Lauren. We headed to the 6th arrondisment and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering in and out of boutiques, slowly winding our way back home. Then later this evening we all were in our rooms, progressing though the midterm when Sam saw a mouse. I had suspected a rodent infestation for weeks, due to strange rustling in the trashcans and clinking dishes when no one was around, but had desperately hoped that I was wrong. But no. Am thoroughly freaked out and trying hard to caricature it into a cute Ratatouille-esque figure. C'est Paris.