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be warned, i have been speaking, thinking, breathing, eating, and dreaming French for the past two days….English is weird now.
JE SUIS ICI! I AM HERE!
Gosh has it ever been a long past two days. maybe the longest of my life.
Paris is absolutely wonderful.
Ever since i gazed,
with much anticipation, neck craning, jet lag dazing, out of the microscopic window, to rest my eyes upon the landscape which i hoped was not too far from meeting the wheels that had just FINALLY mechanically erupted from the bottom of the plane and finally saw, as the wing of the metal monstrosity that had obstructed my view for so long lowered gently, the skyline of this famous city and the tiny peak that marked it as THE city.
i was in love.
Before i expound a bit upon the adventures in Paris thus far, i must bust a few myths for my dear American friends.
1) Paris is nothing like New York City.
I was in fact thinking it would be much like a “European version of the big apple” (or shall i say “la grande pomme”) but it is NOT at all. Much more pleasant in fact…much cleaner, the architecture is just as tasty as the dishes, and while i’m on the topic, it has been MUCH easier to find a reasonably priced yet DELICIOUS meal here in Paris (very unlike NYC), and my FAVORITE part is - there is grass. and trees.
2) They use washcloths….. so that means the extra 3 washcloths i packed (which i sure weigh SO much) were totally uncalled for.
3) They don’t all wear black all the time. *saw 3 girls wearing pink pants today and at least 4 wearing blue….so merci maman, for making me UNpack my favorite blue pants,i am SO Parisian in those things.
4) They aren’t rude.
I have yet to encounter a “stereotypical” rude Frenchman. (or woman) for that matter. I have actually asked directions (in French) 4 times i think from people in the Pharmacie, or in the Metro and not one has not responded with all smiles and helpfulness.
TODAY Gillian and I…. *sidenote: Gillian is my roommate, we live in a tiiiiny apartment with a 60 year old nanny, and Biscuit (“Biscote”)- a King Charles Spaniel with lots of character (they both speak strictly French) * …went for a run au parc. There is one just down the street from us- “Parc Mont Sourcis”
After being in a zombie-like state for so long, running is so liberating.
the weather in Paris right now is perfect.
big, white, mario-like, fluffy clouds surround the shining “soliel” accompanied with a soft breeze that is just enough to push the beautiful white swans across the small “lake”-(Tennessee equivalent of a pond)- in the center of Parc Mont Sourcis. children everywhere, all colors and sizes ride scooters speaking to their fathers in thick Parisian accents…and its about the cutest thing i have ever witnessed.
Paris to me so far is just a sensory overload. so many colors, smells, sounds, and feelings to take in all at once and oh so quickly…but at the same time, the culture here is not too fast paced, its nice, after rushing and being lost- yes i feel like it never ends- all day long, sitting down to a meal that lasts from 7-10pm is just what i need.
and i could never say enough about it.
