Katelin Foley

AP Language
Ms. Crichton
19 September, 2013
Place Stanislas
There is a moment; where every worry and thought in my head disappeared. It just
vanished in this moment of excitement, carelessness, and freedom. The wind raced on my cheeks
and brushed through my hair as I ran through the turning, swerving streets of downtown Nancy,
France. In these tanglings of streets I found short bursts and moments of solace and peace.
Place Stanislas is a giant plaza in the center of Nancy. It is lined with old, sixteenth
century buildings. There are four giant arches on each corner of the plaza. These arches are black
steel with gold plated floral designs on the arches. The gold leafing is painted on building,
arches, and lamp posts all throughout Nancy. The plazas floor is marble tiles, four square feet
each. These tiles are bright white and never seem to have any gum or garbage on them. It is as if
everyone who visits this place wants to preserve its unique and breathtaking nature. In the center
of the plaza there is a giant forty feet tall statue of Stanislas, the king of Poland, who once ruled
Nancy and the region of Lorraine, France.
Every sixth of December at nine pm in Place Stanislas there are fireworks and a light
celebration to celebrate the courageous story of Saint Nicholas, French Santa Claus. Thousands
of people come from all over Europe to see this spectacle. This year I had the honor to see this
amazing light show. It is cold in the north of France and I was lucky enough to be outside from
9pm to 11pm in freezing cold weather, 0C or 32F, standing shoulder to shoulder with what
seemed like everyone else in France. But the celebration was worth the discomfort. It started
with every light in the city going completely dark. There was not one single bulb or phone on at
that moment. The only light was the fluorescent moon and the twinkling stars of a silent city. In
this second I felt excitement, anticipation, peace, and love throughout the city. These feelings
rushed through my veins and I felt this collective agreement between everyone there. I felt that
these waves of emotions were in sync with those around me. It was like I could feel the heartbeat
and gasp of the crowd as the city darkened.
Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime one burst of light shot out into the sky and the
crowd errupted with joy. Loud cheery music started playing. It was a mix between Christmas
carols and Its a Small World After All. I couldnt help but smile with true Christmas cheer as
the red, green, and white lasers bobbed along the crowd like buoys lost at sea. Only moments
later a short video is projected onto City Hall. It depicted the story of Saint Nicholas and how he
saved three children from being eaten and killed by an evil butcher (the story is quite gruesome
for a childs tale in my eyes). The video was accompanied by a narrator that came straight from
the Morgan Freeman family. It was a warm voice that comforted me even though I could neither
identify the person nor what she was saying. As the video progressed I watched the cartoon
dance along the buildings of Place Stanislas. It was as if they were jumping from wall to wall to
distract us with delight. After the video finishes the fireworks arrive. It was one after the other.
BOOM. BOOM. They twinkle and explode with joy. Anytime fireworks occur I am
overwhelmed with a sense of happiness. I dont know why this overtakes me, but I just feel pure
joy. Something that is very hard to accomplish. The audience knew, the finale was drawing
nearer as the tempo of the music had increased and a flurry of fireworks became louder and
higher and bigger. The rainbow had exploded just above my head. It was like a million symbols
were crashing around me. Every time one would pop the crowd gasped in unison as if we were
surprised by the lights that twinkled above our heads. As the celebration came to a close I hear
this eruption of noise. I thought that it might be another stray firework, but no. It was the
thousands of people surrounding me, applauding and screaming and singing in jubilation. I felt
this universal bond with every single person packed like sardines into that square. And as we all
rushed for the four arches to exit, still shouting, I felt sheer serenity both inside and out. My heart
was racing but I was calm.
It didnt matter what had happened the day before or what would happen the day after. It
was just that moment.
Another brisk winter morning in the streets of Nancy, my friend Henry and I went on the
search for something to eat. We settled on a Carrefour around the corner from his house. After
several minutes we finally decided on pain aux chocolats. Which is French speak for chocolate
croissants. After we had purchased our pastries we started our short journey back to his house.
Now, I am not very athletic. I like to dance and talk and watch movies and do not find running or
exercise very intriguing. So when Henry stared at me and said, Come on. Lets run. You can
imagine my reluctance. I did not want to run. But before I had even thought of an answer I saw
him sprinting down the sidewalk to his house. It was in this split second when I thought to
myself the most cheesy thing, carpe diem. And with those two words I chased after him with
agility I honestly did not think my body could handle. As I raced after him I was dodging in and
out between the other slower moving pedestrians. The wind speeding through my hair. I felt free.
Nothing was on my mind except running through the streets of Nancy with my friend. Chasing
nothing. No obligations.
It did not matter what had happened the day before or what would happen the day after. It
was just that moment.