An American In Paris

​Get it? Also: cue California by Joni Mitchell throughout this entire post please.

For the first time since I got here, I went into Paris today!!!!! We were only there for a few hours, but it did me well. I learned the metro system and had the opportunity to explore by myself (FYI New Yorkers… Paris metro is SO much easier). It was just the couple I’m living with and me. They made me try and navigate the metro system on my own, and I did it! Except for the time I tried to take us down an up escalator. For some reason I literally have a terrible time distinguishing between the two… my friends can vouch for me. I’ve tried to go the wrong way on an escalator plenty of times. We went to an area where they had to run some errands, so I was let loose on my own. I ate lunch and ordered by myself for the first time (it wasn’t hard… they spoke English don’t get too excited lol)! After I ate, I walked to the Opera and sat on the steps just soakin’ the city and its people in for a while (let’s be honest though… I was tired of walking and needed to sit). After, I walked down to Place Vendome and to the park right next to it. The park was beautiful, and so different than American parks. There was mostly gravel/dirt and no grass which was strangely beautiful. There were restaurants in between gardens, and little food stands. There were two big fountains on either side of the park with chairs around them, so I sat in one and read my book for a while (Tales of the City by: Armistead Maupin… check it out). While I was sitting there I heard AMERICANS and AUSTRALIANS, and let me tell you… hearing English on the streets is a joyous thing. I didn’t understand how alone you could feel while walking the streets and not understanding anything… Joni Mitchell was right you guys. SO sitting in a park in Paris, France (get it?) I was rejuvenated. And walking out of the park, I held the gate open for a couple carrying a stroller up-stairs, and they said “thank you” and I got way too excited to have Americans speak to me.
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I’m gonna be real honest with you guys… these past few weeks have been hard. I haven’t gotten into a schedule yet, so I’ve been feeling really lonely and in need of some joy. I woke up today the saddest I had been so far. I talked to my mom because I love her and I talk to her about everything, and I was telling her how much I wished I was home. But, going to Paris made me be excited to be here all over again. So I can already tell you guys: this is going to be a journey stock-full of ups and downs. But I am here for it and I hope you guys are too.
Keep contacting me, you guys! I love hearing from you, and would love any travel suggestions in Paris/Europe in general! Thanks for reading J