Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Goodbyes

After the picnic in one park, Marine and Nicolas took me to another park to have a picnic! In such great weather everyone loves picnics in the shade after a long winter. This time we met with my friends again, Yumi and Karima. They all are my sweet precious friends!

We walked into the park and it was another forest like park- not sand paths and perfect grass and flowers. I always remember my lost love of the shade from trees. I am love the shade of trees and how the light dances between the leaves.

Walking in the shade on a warm day in a park is a favorite and simple favorite thing I like to do.

The “Parc des Buttes Chaumont” is in the area of the “Gare du Nord” , “Gard de l’Est” and “Basilique du Sacre Coeur”. It is up in this northern part of Paris pf district 19. There is not much tourist things to see in 19, so it was nice to be among the locals. There were children playing in the creek, mothers with babies, the young tanning, and the old strolling.

The bridge to the  little island with the little mountain.

I love this park. Also, there is a mountain! Well, not really, but like the Sacre Coeur it has a great free view of the romantic city of Paris. The view is on top of a steep tiny island with a mountain. On top sits a Greek style building to look from. I prefer this park to Sacre Coeur. I am often nervous in Sacre Coeur and hate the people there.

The Greek structure

 

The view of Paris- a little different then the normal view everyone thinks of, but this is Paris too!

Finally, we ate. After we walking in the grass and found the shade, we made a place to sit. I had a typical French sandwich. It is wonderful. It is simple too. It was about half a baguette with cheese and a tomato. This sandwich is a over priced golden tourist trap. Please, go to a Carrefour Market or a place to buy food. a Bagette is less then or around a 1Euro and the cheese is not expensive. Pick up anything else. You can just break the bread for lunch and have it with cheese. It is a wonderful to-go, picnic, and cheap lunch. You can save a little money but still have a nice French-y lunch!

A view of the picnics

 

We finished eating and packed our things because we were having dessert elsewhere.
At Baby, the Stars Shine Bright there was a party for Megu, a friend and worker, who was leaving to return home to Japan.

Megu at Baby

Praise to Megu time: I love Megu, and I am so happy to have become her friend over time. She is so sweet and beautiful. I never met someone who was so open and kind to me. Her sense of style and makeup inspires me to be like her! She is like a living doll!

The fabulous food

Anyways, Megu’s party was very large. There was food and drinks for everyone! I ate quite a lot, because of the chocolate pie and cheesecake. Never in my life have I tasted food like here in France.

The open doors at Baby!

 

The group of Megu’s friends

I talked with different people and looked around at everyone’s great outfits. In the end I felt that I could not go. I just couldn’t leave. Megu was a great friend, and I didn’t want to turn my back on her. I said goodbye to a dear friend in December and walking away from the train station was so hard. My legs again turned to lead. But, Megu say we will see each other again. I gave her a big hug. I pray that our lives will cross again.

Me,Megu, and Claire standing together. Megu is standing on the stairs in her high heel to be taller then me in my flats on the ground. Is she taller?

 

My tears came a little on the train. It was a brief overwhelming but controlled tear up. I was entering my last month in France, June, and I was sad. I have so many friends to say goodbye to when I leave. Yet, that is why I didn’t cry, I have so many friends.

Anniversaire des Associations Rouge Dentelle Rose Ruban et Chemin De Briques Roses

In May Rouge Dentelle Rose Ruban et Chemin De Briques Roses had a anniversary picnic! The picnic also had a raffle. I bought a good amount of ticket because the event was free!

At the beginning of the day, I met a local lolita from around the Amiens area. It was nice to meet someone new, like always.
We took the RER to the park. The park was Parc Montsouris. It is a large park at the very edge of Paris. The park had large, grand trees and areas like a forest! I almost felt at home! There were also tons of open grass area for people to read, eat, play, and tan. If I lived in Paris, I would have to go to parks like this every week! I need a nature getaway because I live near forests at home.

And to make everything better, the weather was warm for May. I was so happy to be warm and sticky, rather then cold and wet. However, this weather moved out afterward, and the result have been colder then I have ever been in June.

A pirate/ steam-punk lolita!

A top hat.

My favorite thing about this meet up was the different styles! There was sweet, gothic, pirate, steam-punk, classical, and sweet punk. There were even men dressed and acting like gentlemen! And everyone was different but the same thread of love for lolita fashion ran in the outfit. My style was just sweet. I wore my favorite skirt and new blouse. I always feel a bit plain but I enjoy everything just the same!

My Outfit::Umbrella, bow, blouse, skirt, bunny-bear bag, socks: Baby, the Stars Shine Bright // Shoes: Secret Shop

Once the blankets were spread out for our skirts, the food was placed in the center. And may I say anything else, the French know how to eat. There was all sorts of food! There was fresh vegetables, sandwiches, and quiches.b Also, my friend Yumi made rice-balls and sushi.
For dessert, there was a French coconut cake (I say French because it is very different in the USA), pink cupcakes, cookies, and tea.
And even later, there was watermelon. All the lolitas were scared to eat it because of their dresses, but not me. I have a deep love for watermelon! I was ecstatic to have a few slices!

Watermelon!

My next big joy was the grass. The grass was so green and young. Most lolitas took off their shoes to sit without fear on the blankets with food; however, I took off my shoes and my socks. I was so happy to feel the grass between my toes, and dirt underneath my foot. It is simply a hard pleasure to find in a city or a city park.

Shoes, sock, bags, and umbrellas piled up as lolitas eat at the picnic.

After everyone ate their full, Marine, Camille, Yumi, and I went on a walk to view the park. After noon time the park had filled up with people who were enjoying the sun and warm weather. Every inch of grass had people sitting, eating, play, or tanning. Everyone seemed happy for the return of warm sunny days!

My dear friends and me// Credit to Marine

We came back to the picnic for the start of the raffle ticket drawing! There were many, many prizes! There were Deco-den supplies, books, Baby, the stars Shine Bright items, fan-magazines, jewelry, boxes, and a Baby, the Stars Shine Bright dress!
I bought 10 tickets with the hope of winning something. And I did! I won the Princess Luna trilogy and Misako’s book signed!

I was so sad that Misako was not coming to France this summer because she came last year. But, if you are near LA in the USA, you can meet her! I will have to do with her book and signature!

Am I excited? Credit to friend

My prizes!

Misako’s signature!

All in all, it was a wonderful relaxing picnic with friends and new friends too! The French lolita know how to dress and cook! Thank you!

Me and Yumi by the roses! Credit to Marine

Bye for now!

Disneyland Paris

I don’t know why it is taking me to long to write about my adventures. I think, it is because I have only about one month left in France before I return to the USA. I hate being reminded on all the work I must do to return, but there are so many more adventures. This adventure is a bit sad because it was the last grand adventure I had with Stephanie. She returned home at the end of May.

After the morning and a bit of the afternoon in Versailles, Stephanie and I headed back to Paris to pick up our good friend, Yumi! Once we met up we took the next RER to Disneyland Paris. It took a while to get to Disneyland, but we finally got there. The cloudy and rainy morning has gave way to a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon. Disneyland was quite empty.
I followed Stephanie around because she had been to Disney a few times, had a pass, and is just crazy from Disney! She knew the park like the back of her hand!

We tackled the rides without difficult waits and lines!
The rides we took: Phantom Manor, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Le Carrousel de Lancelot, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, and Casey Jr.- le Petit Train du Cirque.

Here are a few of my favorite rides:

The Phantom Manor was quite fun! We got into a little separate seated ride that took us around a creepy house. The effects were very impressive! I could not figure out how they did everything! The story was very sad and chilling too. A young kid would only see the haunted house but there is a story! It is like the Corpse Bride’s personal story of a sad bride.

Big Thunder Mountain was perhaps the best ride! There was a long line for this ride because it is the most popular ride. Stephanie said it was a must. We all were screaming and laughing as the train took us through the hills and valley of the west…very fast!

Pirates of the Caribbean was not what most people expected. The ride was older with less impressive effect, and the theme was based on the old Pirates of the Caribbean. In other word, there was no Captain Jack Sparrow! I didn’t care. The ride it self was fun! the boat went down waterfall and showed scenery of burning cities! The ride is once of my favorites! I wanted to go again right when I got out!

At the end of our day, I saw Le Carrousel de Lancelot. I begged to get on! We all hopped on a golden horse and went around in a whirl of lights. I really liked this carousel because it was very classical. Now-a-days carousel can be seen with modern characters and strange flashing lights. Classic fun!

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups were a must stop! The tea cups move in such a crazy way! Having a group of friends to twirl the tea cup makes a great time of laughter! Oh how we giggles and laughed together on this twirling ride!

We also explored : La Cabane des Robinson, Le Passage Enchante d’Aladdin, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

 

My favorite was Alice’s Curious Labyrinth! The maze was actually pretty hard. I was always taking the wrong turn and even got lost! Characters from Wonderland popped up here and there as we found our way. we look perfect all dressed in lolita. Alice is an inspiration to the lolita fashion.

Also, my favorite was Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The stain glass windows and tapestries told the story of Sleeping Beauty. I was breathless viewing the detailed windows and tapestries!

 

A lot of people might be wondering how 3 lolitas got into Disney with out any trouble. First of all, we were not over the top with wigs, bows, and socks. We worn our plain solid dresses with nothing else. As plain as we were in the lolita world, people did notice your style. We were even approached but people who knew the style. But that is the nice balance, the notice. If too many people notice you, Disney will not want you in the parks. The character actors must shine first!

 

After Disney closed we went shopping and ate dinner at 10pm. I bought my first collection of Disney Collector Pins!  Finally, we took the last RER back to Paris and the “sweeper metro” ( last metro) back to Stephanie’s place. We were worn out!

 

 

I have so many adventures to look forward to in my remaining time in France!