Yesterday I had the good sense to visit the mosque of Paris. It's located in the 5th arrondissement not too far from the Jardin du Luxembourg, so it's pretty central. The mosque is grand, spacious and bright. Certain parts such as the prayer hall were of course forbidden to us visitors but we were able to catch glimpses into such rooms including a marvellous looking library in which a group of muslims appeared to be participating in a seminar. There are several outdoor courtyards which would have been even more beautiful if the weather had been somewhat more pleasing (it began raining just as we got there). It's hard to tell you what it all looked like so take a look for yourself below!
Being poor au pairs, we were a little bit annoyed that we scooped out 2 euros to visit the mosque (yes I know, how scrooge of us) particularly as the tearoom turned out to be the best part of the visit! The tearoom can be found outside of the mosque, on the back of the building. It is also located in a courtyard, complete with arabic doorways and table patterns, trees and residential birds (no, really). If you walk through this initial courtyard you will find a small but delicious-looking assemble of arabic cakes (2 euro a piece choose what you will) followed by a beautiful restaurant and another inside room which extends the tearoom.
Arabic tea is served at 2 euros a go - you don't order, the waitors simply carry a full tray of tea at all times and provide you with it when asked. Sheesha smoke pleasantly fills the outside air and a sheesha costs 8 euros. We went for the whole experience: tea, cakes, sheesha. It was delightful.
After spending a substantial amount of time there, relaxing and talking and enjoying the atmosphere, we headed to Jaures for a beer in a student bar by the Seine, and then finished the night at my friend's apartment in Chinatown. Once there we bought cheap French pizza (6 euros a pizza, there were 4 of us and 2 pizzas sufficed aplenty and it was yummy).
Friday night we decided to have a quiet one and ate sushi at the restaurant in Le Vesinet. It was delicious, not too pricey, and the staff were welcoming. Afterwards we indulged in a couple of drinks at what we like to call the Green Pub. Incidentally, we discovered a new yet simple and refreshing drink there called a "monaca" (I think!) which consists of beer, lemonade and grenadine. It was cheap and good, I'll have to have one again soon.
Well today is Sunday and there's not much to report, but I did experience a gorgeous array of French patisserie with my family for dessert. The cousin, who is currently staying with us, is attending a French pattisserie course at one of the best patisseries in Paris, and she spoiled us with a fresh collection of cakes from her work. We cut small pieces of each cake and shared them out. I tried chocolate coffee eclair, lemon tart, orange tart and almond pastry. Yummy, I love France!
A bientot xxx
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