When in Paris Series Pt.4

Hey guys, I hope that you all are doing well. You have made it to mid-January you should be proud. As we finally finish off the Paris series, I just want to say thank you to everyone for coming with me on this journey. This trip was life changing, and I got to see and experience so much while in Paris. I will forever be grateful for all my experiences; now let’s get back to the story.

As we started with walking back up Boulevard de Rochechouart towards Clichy, but we didn’t walk into Sex City though. We had to take a left to walk down the opposite the street. The one thing that me and my house sister found funny was that as soon as we turned off the main road, the streets started to become too quiet. Then you just heard our loud mouths as we walked the street. The adventure to the Eiffel tower had official started.

Since only two of us had actual service I was stuck helping direct us with the google maps app. There were so many left and right turns, at one point we thought we went the wrong way because at the end of the street it didn’t look like it could’ve have been another street to turn down. Little to our knowledge there was it was just an extremely skinny street. As we continued our adventure the clouds started to cover the sun and the temperature steadily went down.

As we were at least 40 minutes into our walk we walked pass a church that was under construction, but it wasn’t the Notre Dame, then a little further down the street there was something that I had never seen before. There was a Star Wars exhibit that was out. It literally had every Star Wars artifact that was possibly ever created before. They even have the death star and Darth Vader life size figures that were out. I think I was the most excited to see everything compared to the others. That just qualifies be as a bit nerdy compared to them, which is okay because one of my life mottos is; “If you’re not weird then you’re boring.”

If you were to ask my little sister, she would try to argue you down and tell you that it’s not true. Well it is, plus I haven’t met one normal person in my entire life. As we continued the walk to the Eiffel Tower, we ended up walking pass this McDonald’s that looked like a log cabin that you would see in the middle of the woods. I don’t eat McDonalds, but I can say that the aesthetic of that building was amazing. We continued the adventure, and then at one point we made it to the intersection that had the Louvre, Arc de Triumph, and Eiffel Tower on all 3 ends of the circle.

By that time, it was dark outside, and the Christmas lights lit up the entire city. All you could see where the red and gold lights glimmering in every direction. As we continued to walk in the direction of the Eiffel Tower we ended up on the same block as all of the “high- end” stores. We saw stores like Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, and more. I was never a big fan of “high-end” stores but let me tell you the way these stores artwork on the outside was beautiful. Then you could see the inside of the stores through the windows, and the way the store was setup took my breathe away.

As we continued to make our way to our destination we decided to stop at this small café because half of us needed a potty break. If we are talking about me personally, I just wanted to get out of the cold for a minute. While in the café we all decided to get some hot chocolate and coffee. We spent probably about 30 minuets in the café just hanging out, talking, charging our phones, and just enjoying the heat. Can I tell you guys one thing about this café that we went to? It had a smell, and it wasn’t a good one. This smell reminded me of my little brothers’ room when he decides he doesn’t want to wash his socks.

I was told by multiple people that there is a smell in Paris but that was my first time actually smelling it. I was a little shocked but some places you go may have a smell, but not all. Well that is my opinion at least. We were finally back to the adventure and we realized that we were only down the street from the Eiffel Tower, so it only took us maybe 8 minuets from where the café was. We had finally made it!

The only downside to this was that, by the time we got there is was really dark, which isn’t usually a problem because the tower starts to glow with lights so that you can see it. The thing is that it was really foggy outside that night. You could only see the bottom half of the Eiffel Tower which was disappointing because I was looking forward to seeing the entire piece of art. After about 30 minuets of walking around by the Eiffel Tower, and by the river we decided it was time to go back to the apartment. We had a mini ball to attend that night.

We called a uber and as it pulled up and everyone tried to get it, the uber driver got really mad and kicked all of us out before all of us could even get in the car. He looked at how many of us it was and then drove off. Even if we wanted to split up, we couldn’t because he had already driven away. We were stuck outside for 15 extra minutes because we had to call two different ubers to get back to the apartment. It took us about 30 minutes to get back to the apartments, but once we got there we had to hurry up and get ready for the mini ball.

After an hour of getting ready we all headed back out. Once again, we were going to on another adventure except this time we were walking in the opposite direction. The mini ball wasn’t that far away from us, so we didn’t mind walking. The location where the ball was ended up being right next to a canal. I was actually excited about that because the area was so pretty. The roads were old and made of stones (bricks). I actually hate those roads because the bricks are loose now and sometimes are sticking out of the ground. The rain that started didn’t make walking on those stones any easier.

We made it to the location and as we entered the venue, we realized that we were one of the first people to arrive. With that in mind we went and found a good place to sit our stuff but made sure it still had a great view of the floor where we would be preforming. If you all are wondering if I was able to participate in the ball, the answer is no. As I am still new to the house compared to the others, I was still in the midst of my six-month probation plus I still have much to learn about the category I will be participating in. Then also I want to work on my vogue moves as well so that I can break into that category.

As the mini ball finally got started there was this group of people who ended up sitting directly on the right side of us. As they started dancing this one girl caught my eye, her moves where so fluid and she just looked so dope. From the outfit that she was wearing to the attitude that she had while she was dancing. It all was giving me life that I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t want to be a creep but the weird part of me started to record to her while she was dancing. She ended up seeing me and actually went harder for the camera. I was shocked and happy at that moment I knew that I had to introduce myself to them.

As my moment to introduce myself slipped away I just told myself I would do it at the end of the mini ball. Before they started calling out the categories Freddie got a spotlight. As they started to call out the categories left and right there was so much creativity in the building. This was only my third ball that I attended with the house I was so excited to be there and learn from the performers.

As my house members went out and performed in their categories some even stepped out of their comfort zone to try a new category. I was so proud of them for having the confidence to get up and showcase what they can do. I have a terrible stage fright but to be able to go perform in front of a crowd you have to have a lot of confidence and I learned so much that night.

As the night went on Mery showed up a little later, which took me by surprise. I was excited to see her though. There were only a few more categories left to go, but then they called out baby vogue and I saw one of the girls that I wanted to introduce myself too. I must say that she slayed that category, it was beautiful. Then it seemed like every time one got off the stage another went up for a different category. It was amazing; if you guys haven’t noticed by now, I love dance. Vogue is an aspect of dance and it is an amazing way to express yourself. I was able to learn so much by looking at all of the performers.

By the end of the ball I went over to that group of people to introduce myself. As I gave my introduction, I learned that they were from all over. Kitty was the United Kingdom, Range was from South Korea, Ken Ken was from Hong Kong, and Chiu was from Taiwan. I was actually really excited to finally meet someone from these places. Being able to network with them made my entire night. Plus, they were such friendly people who were just as happy to meet me as I was to meet them. Also, congratulations to Kitty on her Grand Prize win in the category baby vogue.

As we left the venue we headed to this restaurant on the canal. At that time I wasn’t that hungry plus I had food that was in the house as well. In the end I ended up ordering some sauted mushrooms on a baguette and some wine. As we sat down for dinner Thundaaa decided to do an interview session with everyone after the ball to see what their thoughts were on their performances. As I started to reflect on the mini ball, I was excited that I was finally understanding the difference between an all-American runway walk and a European walk. All the knowledge that I was able to learn while at the mini ball helped my confidence rise.

As we left the restaurant Mery went to catch to her uber, and we started to walk to the apartment. As we started to walk back, we went a different direction. Then we all realized we could have walked this way to get to the mini ball instead of the way we went. It may not seem like a big deal but on the wat to the mini ball we literally made all these left and right turns when we could have walked down one street the entire time.

The next day was the really big ball that we had come to Paris for, the “Somewhere over the Rainbow ball” was that night. All those days and nights that we spent on making Freddie’s effect, all the running around we did to find Thundaaa’s effect was all worth it. The ball didn’t start until nighttime so me and Samil decided that we were going to do some sight-seeing since Emily and Thundaaa were still in the bed sleeping. We decided to go to the Louvre, to see if we could get some good pictures and see some of the artwork.

We made our way out of the apartment, and this time we took an uber instead of walking. By taking an uber it only took us 15 minutes from where we were located. As we pulled up to this huge building that looked like what could be a castle, I didn’t know that was the Louvre. We got out the car, and all you heard was the band right outside of the Louvre. We stopped and took pictures right outside of the building before going in.

As I mentioned the Louvre is a huge building and Samil and I were looking for specific place, so we had stopped and asked a local who was right outside the building selling roasted nuts. As we walked through the entry way to the museum you could see through the glass all of the many beautiful pieces of artwork hanging up. We continued to walk through the corridor until we reached the center square. You all know the place am talking about, it’s a famous spot for people to take photos. The Tuileries Garden is where the Pyramid de Louvre is located, and man it as still crowded even with the weather.

Samil and I went around taking pictures for about an hour at different spots in the Louvre, we would have stayed longer and explored more but we had to head back to the apartment to start getting ready for the ball. Also, with all the protest the trains were still shut down, so the location of the ball continued to change. As we made our way back to the apartment it actually took a little longer than the first time because there was traffic.

After about 20 minuets we finally made it back, so we all decided to start getting ready. As I didn’t have much to do except get ready, I helped everyone else finish off their effects then pack them away in a safe spot so that they won’t get messed up. As the time for the ball got closer, we finally found the address to the location. Little to our knowledge it moved to a club that was right down the street from our apartment. Which meant it was walking distance, we were happy about that.

As we finally made it to the location, we had to get in a line that just looked like a mob of people standing around. After we made it inside the building, we went upstairs to the balcony to find the perfect spot for us to put all of our stuff so that it wasn’t in the way, plus we needed a covered spaced for us to be able to change into our effects. As the night went on it continued to get hotter and hotter inside the building. At one point when I looked in the mirror my hair had gone and changed into an afro.

I actually found that part funny since it actually looked better as an afro. The only problem I would say I had was when my hair continuously kept getting stuck on the ceiling and then some pieces of the ceiling were falling off into my afro. That part kept annoying me but other than that I had no wardrobe malfunctions. The commentators proceeded by doing shout-outs, to our surprise Thundaaa got his shout-out, and of course Freddie got his as well.

After that was done the categories begun and so did the show. The first one up from our house was my sister Samil and she walked the category body. Now let me tell you, my sister went off from the outfit that she created to the moves she did as she walked. Samil made it all the way to the final round, I couldn’t have been more, proud of her achievements. Next up was Thundaaa who was giving us pretty boy realness. The way I was cheering I thought I would lose my voice.

The next thing I saw was Ken Ken coming out onto the floor for the category old way. He did an amazing job as usual. Since I have met Ken Ken his moves have yet to disappoint me. As the categories came and went, we were finally at the point where my sister Emily performed. The trip for her has been a tough when it comes to the balls but when I tell you that this woman is so talented when it comes to dance, she will literally take your breath away.

As she began her fem vogue routine all you could see was her short hair flipping around in the air. Her effect was Dorthey from the Wiz and the outfit was giving life. She looked like she was getting in the zone. In my opinion her performance was amazing, and her effect looked better than some of the other ones on the floor. Emily did end up getting cut but regardless I was still so proud of her and the confidence she had when she hit the floor.

After Emily went, we had a little bit of a break before another LaBeija had to perform. From that point on we had to go help Freddie get into his costume. As they started to call the category for bizarre, we were on the way down the steps. As we finished putting the finishing touches on Freddie, I had to go find a spot that I would be able to record him from. As he walked onto the stage all eyes went to his costume. Then as he spread his wings all you could hear from the crowd was wow, then Samil, Emily, and Thundaaa were throwing the plastic bananas that we had. On the other hand, every time that Freddie opened his wings, I got slapped in the face with them. The effect was supposed to be flying monkeys, and Freddie gave them what they asked for plus more. I would’ve been shocked if he didn’t receive the grand prize. In the end the category bizarre went to the LaBeija’s. I was so proud of this achievement not only for the house or Freddie but because it showed that all of the hard work that all of us put on the effect paid off.

As the ball continued it was Thundaaa’s turn again for the category realness with a twist. Now let me tell you, this was a Thundaaa that I have never seen before. The way he was moving, the continuous different moves being created was amazing. Each round that he passed he bought something brand new to the table. In the end Thundaaa ended up winning the grand prize for that category and I was so proud of him. Thundaaa did an amazing job throughout each round of that category, you could clearly see his growth.

The ball lasted another hour and half after that. Ken Ken, Kitty, and Range ended up performing again. It is always nice to see them perform their crafts because I am able to learn from watching them consistently. Also, congratulations to Range for winning the grand prize in the category new way. As the ball ended the House of LaBeija walked out with two grand prize wins. So proud of the accomplishments that we made! By the time we got back to the apartment the boys wanted to go back out for the let out. I wanted to go back towards the club because the pastry shop that had the strawberry tart that I wanted was right across the street.

I finally had the chance to get my strawberry tarte that looked so delicious. After I bought my tarte we decided to head back to the apartment, to hang out with Emily since tonight was her last day in Paris with us. We all stayed up most of the night talking and goofing around. By morning time, we all got up to send Emily off to the airport. It was a really bittersweet moment for me because Emily and I were able to bond so much on the trip I was sad to see her go.

Thank you all for baring with me. I have been trying to finish the Paris series for a while now. There is so much that I want to tell you all so that you will be able to experience Paris. The story is not over just yet. We have one more part to get to and trust me when I say you won’t have to wait long for the next part.

That’s all for now I will see you guys soon.

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