Canadian Pubs, Gregorian Chanting and Molière!

What do these things have in common? My first week in Paris, that's what! But how did I end up in a Canadian Pub in Paris? I blame the name. It is called "The Great Canadian Pub" and it is located in the 5th arrondissement, near the Sorbonne and Notre Dame Cathedral where I live. Also known as the Latin Quarter. It was my first full day. I went to work in the morning at the study abroad office and got done by the afternoon. I was then set free to discover my new neighbourhood (I'm spelling à la canadienne/anglaise 'cause it just looks nicer, and 'cause darn it I am Canadian!). During my stroll I had thought to myself that maybe I should keep my eyes open for a pub. It's been my "go to" in the past. Whenever I'm in a new city I head for the pub (usually Irish) 'cause I always seem to make friends there. After taking care of lodging and food, making friends is generally my next priority. To my surprise, I didn't come across any but then, suddenly there it was: The Great Canadian Pub! I thought: "hunh? what's a "Great Canadian Pub? ... And if it is THE great one, what's it doing in Paris?" Of course I had to stop in. They had, as suspected a bunch of Hockey paraphernalia. I started chatting to the waitress straight away and she told me that the owners were in fact Canadians living in Paris, one from Montreal and the other from Ottawa and they wanted to have a place to watch their Hockey. That explained the predominantly Habs and Sens stuff. There was one tiny figurine of Mats Sundin behind the bar, Go Leafs! Though there was some Molson Canadian, Moosehead and Poutine for 8 euros, I opted for just a glass of Cranberry juice. I was too jet lagged for the other stuff anyway. And then it happened, my first friend. A fellow Canadian, Ontarian and currently living in Toronto fella named ... hang on, I'll leave names out, I'll just call him Bob! Anyway, turns out he is in town with the circus. That's right the circus, Canada's most famous one. One of the productions is in town and he works behind the scenes, so no, I did not meet a contortionist, though that would have been cool too. After exchanging stories and reminiscing about Canadian snow (the waitress from Saskatchewan had the best story go figure) I was on my way, but not without getting a possible invite to a show. Fingers still crossed!
The following day I met a fellow graduate student (FGS) from the University of Illinois program who has been here since February and she agreed to show me around and teach me the ropes. We took a stroll down to Notre Dame when she told me about the amazing Gregorian chants she attended in the Cathedral. At this point I'm still pinching myself that I'm even in Paris, taking casual strolls through Parc du Luxembourg, walking past the Pantheon and well, just countless historic sites, so hearing chants in Notre Dame probably would have just knocked me on my ---! We looked up the schedule but the only thing they had that night was the Sacred Choir doing louanges. No idea what that was but it had to be good too. It was, and being in that space, listening to those sounds ... let's face it, I don't have the words. Just check it out the next time you're in town ;) I must add that it was almost ruined by people who brought their kids, who couldn't possibly have any appreciation for it and it showed as they wouldn't shut up and kept running up and down the nave. One of them was even carrying a change purse ... clang, clang, clang over the angelic music!!! What is the matter with people. I have nothing against young children of course just don't take them to, oh I don't know, classical music concerts, the opera, the ballet... until you know they can stay still and quiet! They left about halfway through, thank goodness. I mean I'm all for exposing young minds to the arts and culture but know when and prepare them for it, they looked like they had no idea where they were and why they were there.
The Final surprise of the week was a ticket to the Misanthrope, by Molière at La Comédie Française. Again the FGS from Illinois hooked me up with it, though I paid for the ticket. It was a great space but I wasn't all too convinced with some of the artistic choices made. The actors did their best and were committed to the material but I think the production overall was weak. Le Monde does a great review : Le Monde.com
I wish I could see the following production of "Le malade imaginaire". Many people say that Molière died while playing the main role, but apparently that wasn't the case. I believe he got really ill while performing and shortly after the performance died in his home. Dying on stage makes for a better story though. Speaking of stories that is enough for now. Just going to sit back and watch the shimmering Eiffel tower and then head to mon lit. Bonne Nuit!