A day in the life of Ryohei Ozaki
A day in the life of Ryohei Ozaki
French Major, Princeton University
CUPA Year 2012-2013
The sun is setting behind the southern wing of the Louvre that sits along the Seine. The bustle of people below is calming. The Ferris wheel at the western entrance of the Tuileries turns slowly, beyond which stands the Arc de Triomphe and the surreal cityscape of La Défense. On Sundays you might find me on the third floor of the Louvre taking a brief break from the paintings to take in this view. On Thursdays, though, my day starts early across the river at the Musée d’Orsay with my museology class – “9 AM at the elephant!” I chat with the French students beside the metallic animal as the bravest, art-seeking tourists begin to form a line. Once inside, we discuss the history, architecture, and design of the building, which once served the city as a majestic train station. Afterwards I head home to my little room on the top floor of a typical Haussmanien building right at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. On the way back I stop at the boulangerie for a baguette and the fromagerie for some delicious chèvre. Then I take the bus past Les Invalides, Montparnasse, and the Jardin du Luxembourg for my cinema and philosophy course at l’École normale supérieure, where I also have classes in beginner’s German and Hegelian philosophy. The central courtyard is a wonderful place to have coffee and overhear vibrant conversation. I bike home using the Vélib’ system (which is the absolute best way to see the city) and make myself dinner. At night, I often stand by my window and catch myself dreaming about my plans for the next day.
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