Today marks the end of my first week in Paris. It's hard to believe that it's only been a week, I feel like I've been here for quite longer than that! It's even harder to believe that I will be here for another 4 months. As I see each historical building, church, or museum, I just think--I'm glad I'm not a tourist and that I can come back again and again and again!
I moved in with my wonderful host family last Sunday night. Their apartment is very nice with furniture from the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods! My room is very spacious for a Parisian apartment and I have a fireplace and balcony. My host parents have four children who are all around my age and go to school outside of Paris. They occasionally will come home during the semester. My first night, my host mom cooked an amazing dinner: salmon, rice, mushrooms, and meringue cake (all home made and delicious!). Each night has been a new entree and we always have tons of bread and cheese. They are teaching me all the different types of cheese and so far I have found goat cheese to be my favorite. Next week, I will learn about wine (as my host dad tells me).
I am very blessed to stay with such a wonderful host family for the next few months. They even played the Country music CD I gave them before dinner one night to remind me of home! They asked me if my dad wears a big Cowboy hat everyday. I said, "I wish!" (Just kidding, Dad).
Each day I have seen something truly amazing. Last Friday, I saw the Eiffel Tower at night and it was so beautiful. The nice thing about being in Paris during the winter is that there aren't as many tourists so it's pretty clean and peaceful. It's FREEZING at night so I need to figure out what I'm gonna do about that...Anyway, Saturday we took a guided bus tour as a group all throughout the city. It made me remember everything I have learned about French history and how there is so much more! Sunday, I ventured to the L'arc de triomphe and the Champs-Elysees- which is actually about 2 blocks down from where I now live.
I love the l'arc de triomphe. The statues are so passionate and exquisite. It blows my mind how many statues there are in this city. I turn a corner and there is this huge statue that was build hundreds and hundreds of years ago and it has an entire story to it. I realized that back in those days they didn't have itunes, internet, movies, or facebook--so instead, they would occupy their time with statues I suppose!
The Champs-Elysees is like a mini Grove in LA or Northpark in Dallas. There are just shops after shops after shops. There was a huge NikeParis with about 8 actual running shoes and the rest of the shoes were just for fashion! The Louis Vuiton Headquarters store is literally like Disneyland for fashion. I felt like I was in a museum looking at 95,000 euro necklaces and 40,000 euro engagement rings. Each piece of jewelry had its own huge case with lights shining down upon them.
I can't begin to tell you how much walking I have done. Everyone walks and takes the metro. The metro is probably the most efficient public transportation system in the world-at least for a city this size. We have taken walks every morning through the quarters and sections. Each street semi-looks the same but then you run into a huge monument or historic building like L'opera garnier and marvel at all the architecture and statues.
FOOD: I am going to turn into a baguette at this rate. Or cheese. I will definitely miss the French bread when I return to the states. Also, the coffee is so, so strong. They literally drink espresso shots and even when you ask for cafe au lait, it's like an espresso shot with a tiny spoonful of milk. They do have Starbucks though, its just a French starbucks. The crepes are also amazing. I would be worried about all the food I've been eating but I think it's balanced out with all my walking!
Today I saw the Louvre: but only one wing of it! I was only there for 2 hours and I felt like I was going to pass out because I was so tired. The Mona Lisa was quite impressive and I could tell she was looking at me from all angles. I saw several paintings that I had learned about over the years of French history and I was completely in awe that I was finally here. We have our own Louvre Member card so we can go anytime, any day that we want! Thank goodness because I think it's my second home.
After the Louvre, we traveled to Montmartre. The hilliest part of Paris. It somewhat reminded me of San Francisco with all the ups and downs of the streets. The famous Sacre Coeur Church was there and I got to quickly pray and observe inside. I think I'm going to try and go to mass at all these different churches--would be very beautiful.
I know it sounds like Paris is the most beautiful and historically inspiring city in the world, but there are a few downsides. By downsides, I'm referring to things that America has that Paris doesn't have and things I took for granted in the US.
1. Showers: They don't like to take long showers because they are very green and want to save the water. Not only that, but the water heaters are so small and I have to take a 3 minute shower or I will end up freezing. Also, the showers are literally the size of my body.
2. Peanut butter: They have it here but they aren't too fond of it.
3. American coffee: I'm so used to my 2 cream/2 sugar coffee. Here, they love espressos and I have yet to find a normal coffee.
4. Bread..with butter!: yes, the bread is fantastic and I am in love with it--but they never put out butter for your bread! I sound pretty greedy, but when you are used to bread and butter before dinner, you start to miss the taste...
5. Crosswalks that warn you when NOT to cross: Whenever you walk across the street, there is a little green man that lets you know it is time. But it doesn't flash to warn you--it just suddenly changes to red!
6. The Sun: I have yet to see her...
7. Accurate weather forecasts: Due to the constant change in wind patterns, being so close to the water, and just the overall location of Paris, the weather forecast is never accurate when you check in the morning. My umbrella will never leave my purse I'm afraid...
8. Mexican food! They have Greek, Indian, Chinese, and American food but I have not seen any Mexican food.
Don't worry, I don't want you to think I'm complaining because I'm not. I just want you to realize the things you have in America that you can't get in other parts of the world!
Thanks for reading and I'll post again soon!
-Miranda
