Today on our final day in Paris, we embarked on a food scavenger hunt. Professor each gave us one of four categories. Cheese and bread, fruits and vegetables, meat, or dessert.  Our goal for this scavenger hunt was to find what our chosen item was within 30 minutes at a bustling Market Street. We split into groups of three, were handed 20 euros each, and off we went!

I was assigned to the fruits and vegetables section. Me and my teammates Helena and Layne immediately went off to find the best of the best vegetables and fruits for us to enjoy.  We browsed more than four different veggie stalls in order to find the best ones within our budget. We ultimately decided on a fresh basket of strawberries, a box of Currents, some fresh cherry tomatoes, and perfectly ripe apples.

Once we all regrouped with our selected items, we journeyed to worldstrides office in Paris  to enjoy our meal.  My favorite part of the meal was the cheeses.  They were smoky, flavorful, and some of the best cheese I’ve had in Paris! We had a final toast to our last day in Paris! Many of us enjoyed it so much that we will be back one day, including myself!

Au Revoir, Paris!

Today in Paris, We participated in a cooking class with Chef Lucy. We made a three course meal while learning how to chop vegetables, peel and prepare shrimp, and stuff chicken. We made a asparagus cream soup with shrimp, and crispy chicken with apricots and pistachios. For dessert we had chocolate fondant with salted butter caramel.

After our class, we proceeded to go on a tour of the local street art in Paris. We met our guide, Sandrine, or whose artist name is Ms Beja, and began the tour. Sandrine explained to us the significance of street art. How it is the fastest way to make a collage, and the potential risks associated with it.

We learned how risk is a part of street art. How you must work quickly and cleanly as possible to do the art and then leave. Normally you would need permission from the City of Paris in order to paint on the street but most people don’t bother since it takes too long.

She mentions a little loophole about how the city of Paris doesn’t clean walls up 4 meters. So if your art is higher than that it’s going to last longer on the street.

Sandrine also explains to us the difference between tagging and street art. A tag is one signature usually used as the form of marking your territory. Street art is meant to be enjoyed and viewed publicly. 

Overall it was a very fun and knowledge-filled day. We learned about two different forms of art: the art of cooking and the art of street painting.  We learned the significance of these two in French culture and how it is a form of expression for all those who partake in it.