It's true. I'm going to the Paris conference in July and I couldn't be happier about it!
Despite my abject poverty and the pressure of finishing the dissertation, the conference was too good to pass up. The conference organizers are paying for grad students' hotel rooms and conferences fees, including lunches and the banquet. Evidently, my aunt and uncle didn't want me to miss this opportunity that I've talked about for, oh, four years, so they sent me a check that more than covers airfare. I tried to refuse (no, seriously, I really tried), but they were adamant, so...I'm going.
A friend I travel with a lot (or used to travel with a lot before poverty set in) is also going with me. We're staying a few days extra because I've never been to Paris and I don't know when I'll get back and I really want to see The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry and Abelard's grave and Sacre Couer and Notre Dame and all of the beautiful churches, really, and I want to wander around the streets, eating baguettes and cheese. Can you tell I'm excited? I can't wait!
The paper is already written, just needing a few revisions because it is similar to a paper I presented last year (the horror! but no one from that conference will be at this conference) and it's also part of a chapter that I've been working on, so it's in pretty good shape. If I stick to my schedule, I'll have three dissertation chapters written and two of them fully revised before Paris, assuaging some of my guilt about taking a break in the midst of heavy writing. So far, so good. More importantly, though, I already have heard from a few people expressing interesting in my new project. It's all starting to come together. Finally.
If anyone has any recommendations about where I need to go in Paris, I'd love to hear them. I especially like oddball places that not everyone knows.
Hurrah! That sounds like good timing: you'll need a break by then (and you have the incentive of an upcoming break to keep you going now), and the trip is a good mix of partly professional/partly recreational.
ReplyDeleteSorry; no recommendations; I was last in Paris in 1987 (so yes, you're right; take a few days to look around now).
Wow, sounds great! Good luck for your presentation, and enjoy your stay in Paris!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's been decades, but ...
ReplyDeleteNear Notre Dame: St Julien le Pauvre, St Saturnin, St Germain des Pres (monument to Dom Mabillon in a side chapel to right of altar).
Sainte-Chapelle wasn't open last time I was there; I hear it's fabulous.
Near Sacre Coeur, don't miss the little church of St Pierre. And the Montmartre area is interesting, though I remember the area at the foot of the hill as a bit seedy ...
St Denis is in a rough part of town, but it's worth a visit -- not least to contrast the early Gothic building and glass with the post-Revolution restoration work.
And if you haven't been out to Chartres, and can take the time for a day trip, it's magical.
Enjoy your time in Paris.
Katherine, so sorry for the late response, but if you happen to see this, the church recommendations all look fantastic! I can't wait! Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete