Eiffel for Paris: Lights, Camera, Action!

Marché aux Puces...

Translation...flea market. But not just any flea market.

The Marché aux Puces St-Ouen de Clignancourt is one of the many must-see sites in Paris. When you think of Parisian flea markets, St-Ouen is typically the reference point. And this is where I found myself this morning. The various stalls were taking part in a cinema-themed weekend (Cinépuces), complete with red carpets, movie posters, and young ladies with old fashioned wicker trays dangling around their necks handing out candy...it was great fun! The sun was shining brightly and I found myself taking pictures of the wares that sparkled in the sunlight. So many textures at every turn. I have a soft spot for chairs, it seems...

Work-wise, this week consisted of a few more observations, tracking down 200 popsicle sticks for classroom management paraphernalia, lesson planning, attending a day-long "training" course, and actually starting work on Friday! My first day consisted of 5 classes (with students ranging in age from 7-11 years old). Each class went really well. I said the phrase, "My name is Cathy. What is your name?" two hundred times...I can tell repetition is going to be a hallmark this year. The teachers and directors are all lovely and will be immensely supportive this year, which is just about all I could ask for. I will be spending quite a bit of time planning because it turns out that assistant is roughly translated as teacher in the collective pedagogical minds of these institutions. I'm really only supposed to be helping the program that is already in place. Well, as it turns out, there often isn't much in place, and many of the classrooms were waiting for me to arrive to kick things off. Thank goodness I have a modicum of experience with a) teaching and b) curriculum development. And, fortunately, there is a progression that I can follow filled with themes and goals...

Between wandering around the Jardins des Tuileries before attending the theater on Friday night, trying to secure an unlimited movie pass (unsuccessfully the first time because I didn't have my passport with me - information that was only conveyed after waiting in line for 45 minutes...Hello, French version of the DMV!), ultimately watching a movie at home on Saturday, and spending a few hours at the flea market followed by walking around St. Michel and eating an Extra Pita Grèque for lunch today...I would have to say that I had a pretty amazing weekend! Check out a few of the photos after the (hop, skip, and a) jump...