La Défense (and the creepy giant thumb)

Just so you know, these next few weeks I won't be having hardly anything to do with school besides one exam, because Sciences-PO is having their exam period now and soon it will be the break between the semesters. So I have nothing to do but study a little bit and go sightseeing!

Yesterday Monica and I went to the north-west border of Paris to see La Défense, which is basically the part of Paris that holds the headquarters in for the bigger businesses, meaning tons of skyscrapers and such. The most recognized part of it is the Grande Arche. I don't know what this building is for exactly, but it looks like a giant metal cube with the center cut out.

Here's part of it. It looked like the tent in the center could be used for outdoor events and concerts or something like that.



This view is looking towards Paris from the Grande Arche.




If you squint really hard, you can see the Arc de Triomphe off in the distance. But you have to squint really hard. Extra for me since I'm nearsighted, ha ha.




Here's a panoramic view of the area. To me, this all seems so out of place in Paris. I guess that's why they built it on the border and away from all the historic monuments.

Here's a video I took of the area. It's easier to see the scale of the buildings here rather than in the pictures.





Peace from the steps of the Grande Arche!



Now about the weird giant thumb...
We started walking around and we found some pretty interesting sculptures, including this one. It's a giant thumb we think, and apparently it's where all the taxis go. We guessed that the thumb is there because it refers to catching a cab (I know that's more of a hitch hiking gesture- to stick out your thumb- but it's the best idea we had. Plus, they might do it differently here in France). There was no sign describing its existence, making it even more mysterious, mso I hope our guess is right. Otherwise, there's a giant metal thumb at La Défense, and that's just weird.

Here's a video demonstrating our frustration over the mysterious giant thumb:



Ok, I was honestly quite disturbed by the giant thumb. It must have been the wrinkles and nail. Eww.
It just creeped me out for some reason, ha ha.




After that we found some more sculptures that soothed my nerves a lot better than the thumb. I liked the contrast between the classical human form and the modern skyscraper in the background.





There's the thumb again. Ewwww!!!





Another classical form with a modern backdrop. Very interesting.

Also, there's a mall there too! I didn't think they did malls in Paris (just specialty shops sprinkled all over the place) but they do and they put one at La Défense!




Ever since I got back to Paris from my 2 week vacation in the US, I've been craving homemade soup. I actually tried making 2 recipes from mom, and they both turned out great! The other night, I went over to Monica's apartment and we made my mom's chili.
Here I am stirring our concoction!




Mmm it smelled so good!




It was so yummy! Mom's chili will always have a special place in my heart! :)

I'm already looking forward to making more soup, and now that Monica has tried one of my mom's recipes, she definitely wants in on the next soup too!


Bisous XOXO