Gettin’ Carried Away

Women in Paris: The Wicked and the Revolutionary.

This is the title of a literature course I decided to take in college. Why did I take it?

1. It fulfilled a requirement for my major.
2. It met once a week.
3. One of the requirements was to travel to Paris, France for one week in the summer.

~* Carrie in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France *~

Taught by two of the most amazing women I have ever met in my life, Women in Paris was led by Dr. Gina Rossetti, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Kathleen Waller, Associate Professor of religious studies. Along with about 15 other classmates, I explored how Paris served as a site for women’s radical movements for centuries.

Prior to the trip, I explored texts and films about Joan of Arc, and I thoroughly examined excerpts from Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary. I also read William A. Shack’s Harlem in Montmartre, and I imagined myself living in Paris during World War I, as jazz music started thriving in the Montmartre district in the 20s and 30s. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey and see everything that these female historical figures and fictional characters had spoke of so vividly.

When the time came to travel to City of Lights, my professors, my classmates and I piled into a coach bus and head to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. I packed lightly, and I had a passport for over five years already, so I really had no problem getting through to security. However, my professors were horrified to discover that a few of the students somehow were not even registered on the flight! Because of this, our entire group was upgraded to First Class! This is the one and only time I have ever flown in this cabin. And if you have the money — it’s worth it!

The seats recline almost completely flat to simulate a bed! This really helped me sleep through the almost nine-hour flight. And while airplane food is not my favorite thing in the world, you do get a slightly better meal in first class. However, I have flown to and from Europe four times, sitting in regular ol’ Economy, and it really isn’t all that bad. I recommend getting a window seat! Sure, you have to climb over someone to get to the lavatory, but you can rest your head near the window and get a bit more comfy if you’d like to fall asleep.

I will spare you the details of going through customs and checking into the hotel, as most of us have already been there. My next post will explore my fantastic journey to France, including sites like Notre Dame, the Louvre, Montmatre and Versailles!