Madeleine's first classy bar ^_^

For those of you who know me, you know that I don't go out. I don't really drink, not because I don't want to. but because it's too complicated in the States and the prospect of hanging out illegally with drunken bros really does not appeal to me. For those of you who don't know me, why are you reading this? That's creepy. Go away.

Back to the point: I don't go out in the States; however, apparently when I'm in France with other young people, I go out somewhat frequently. Again, it's not that I really have a rabid desire to go out and hit the town. Actually, I would rather not. I feel like I need to be sociable and "bien profiter" from the experience while I'm here, however.

One thing that I really enjoy is how I don't have to be terrified to drink or buy alcohol. I can walk into a store, pick whatever the hell I want, walk to the counter, slap my money on the counter, and go for it. Or, similarly, I can walk into a cafe and get what I want. Also, because it's France, it's obviously more classy and more appealing than in the States (probably because there are no French bros).

Last night was the birthday of one of the girls in the program, and so we went out to celebrate. I also went to my first ever bar in France, and my first ever classy bar. I have been to Tinkers and Mug-z once each, and there was a reason why I never returned. Because they're gross, and filled with bros. Not appealing in the slightest.

This place could best be described as a Fripster bar that was tucked away in a corner off the Bastille. Andrea, the girl whose birthday we were celebrating, has a cousin who lives in Paris, and who knows good places to go out, and so she took us. I don't even know the name, but it was a great, hopping little place, with purple walls, fluffy chairs, almost no light, and a shiny round bar right in the middle. It was also filled to the brim with really attractive Fripsters. I felt like I was in Brooklyn--with French people. It was great.

We all ordered the same drink, with a base of vodka and some kind of sweet fruit juice, called a "Jolie Poupee." It was amazing. I wish that I remembered what the hell was in it. Hm, let's see. I think it was vodka, lime, and some kind of tart grapefruit-like fruit. Miam miam.

We chilled there for a few hours--I think from 11 to 1-ish--and it was a great time, not to mention excellent for people watching.

I also had a first--it was the first time a guy ever approached me of his own free will and asked to buy my a drink. He was a cutie, too, probably because he was dressed like a metrosexual, as all French men are. Andie and her cousin went somewhere, and Monika and I were there together, when he walked up to me and said, "Oh hi. Are you French?" When I replied no, he (predictably) said, "Oh, so you're German!" I didn't even fight it, and, heck, it's better than admitting that you're American. We chit-chatted for a little while about what I was doing in Paris, what I was studying, how I was German, etc. and he asked me if he could buy me a drink. Inwardly I was like, oh! score!, but I wasn't going to give him any false hope. He was a nice guy, and that would have been unfair. I hope he was ok with me taking a creep--I mean, flaneur picture of him on the sly (Note the good sweater. Good sweaters = always important).

But, anyway, it was exciting! It was a good night: I got home somewhat early, skyped with my Alex, and went to sleep. A perfect end to a good day :)