Today was a DREAM

First off, I would say that I wish I were living in the city because of the cool attractions, the food stands, the ability to explore it at night, and it is closer to my school, however, I seriously fall in love with my neighborhood more and more each night. I will take lot's of pictures soon but as I write at my cute desk under my open sky windows overlooking the large backyard, I am listening to a nearby outdoor concert play and the mingling of French families. It is a dream.

But that is not just today's dream. Today, aujourd'hui, I went around my first French market and bought fresh bread, vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. Since I don't live in the city, the vendors here do not speak more than 5 English words so it will definitely give me plenty of practice. Thankfully, I went with Delphine, my host mom, so she did the ordering and I smiled and helped with the carrying.

Les boulangeries et las patisseries SMELL LIKE HEAVEN. I walk in and fill every ounce of lung space with the goodness of bread. Oh my gosh nothing will ever compare. Oh my gosh...

Then, I took my very first train into Montparnasse. To me it is like the heart of Paris. Once I deciphered my way through the crowds and over platforms, I found Hannah, another fellow au pair. We had never met each other in person before today but became really acquainted over Instagram! It just so happens that she is 1) from the Pacific Northwest and 2) LDS. Who would've thunk I'd meet my Washington neighbor in Paris. Crazy!

When in Paris, first things first: The Eiffel Tower! We made our way to Trocadero where, lo and behold, there she is. Le Tour de Eiffel in all her glory. The thing is way more massive than I had imagined. Then we walked casually through the city admiring the immaculate architecture and grandness of everything. It felt so nice to not be rushed or feel like I had to see everything in one day. Nor was I weighed down by camera gear which I usually have strapped to my back. I decided to get comfortable with the city before trying to photograph it. Plus it was extremely hot and I was extremely sweaty and the last thing I wanted to do was put more stuff on my body. In fact, we were so hot that we stopped down below the Trocadero fountain and when we saw people swimming in it, we took off our shoes and dipped our feet in too. It felt so good! Wading in to our thighs, it felt so surreal to be hanging out fountain-side with the looming Eiffel Tower just ahead. I can't even describe how unreal it still seems.

For lunch, we decided to stop in to a small supermarket by Hannah's apartment in the 7th Arr. and pick out some sandwiches and Schweppes Agrum' flavored drink. C'est bon! We hunted out some nice shade in the grassy park across from some gigantic, beautiful buildig that I don't remember and dined like the natives. The sandwich had comte cheese. Oh my gosh, again with the to-die-for food! I'm lactose intolerant but there is no way I am passing up some flipping awesome French fromage. After refueling ourselves, we walked towards Concord, peered down the busy street towards Champs-Elysees, and headed for the Louvre. (I just need to write a list of everything my spoiled eyes saw today...too much to process whilst being jet lagged and nearly midnight!!!) Of course, we had to stop by the gelato stand right outside of the tuileries where they shape your gelato into a rose. So delicious and so magical, just like France. I tried the Pistache, Straciatella, and Chocolate au lait. **Plus I ordered and responded to the lady in French! Seulement en francais! I was so proud. Nearly fooled Hannah when the lady asked me something about the chocoalte and I responded without missing a beat. Truth is, I had no clue what she said and heard "au lait" so I assumed there were more than 1 types of chocolate gelato and just repeated "au lait". So ya...

Then the outside of the Louvre (because I dont have my student pass yet), the once-beautiful love-lock bridge which had to be replaced because of the degradation occuring from the weight of the locks. (Not something to be proud of, World.) Love locks are cool but let's be real, a tacky bridge in the middle of the beautiful Seine is the result of people's ridicules belief or desired instagram shots of a lock supposedly representing two people's love. Just spread the love in hugs, not ruining bridges!

Well basically, my day in Paris was beyond perfect. Well, it was excruciatingly hot and I sweated more than I had in a whiiiile so that was gross but who cares! I was in Paris. While trying to find our way back to Montparnasse, Hannah and I got super lost and confused as to where the trains were. We tried following signs and suddenly there would just not be anymore. Whether it was France's fault for having an inadequate ammount of signs for us Americans or our fault for...for...I don't know, I'm new give me a break!....we finally found my train and I was off back home to Sevres.

Not the end of my dream day, though. Stay tuned to read about my extreme awkwardness amongst my host family's family and the incredible dinner and dessert that ate at home. But I'm exhausted and preparing for an early day of church so, Bonsoir!!

 And the Police with their roller blades on. Only in France...