Well hello there!
I should really have a better excuse for why I haven't written anything yet, but really, I've just been keeping quite busy alternating between being extremely productive and extremely (let's be real) lazy. After the whirlwind that was my life for the past three months or so, it is nice to just have time to relax, enjoy, and do whatever I feel like.
I arrived in Paris last Tuesday via a flight from SFO that unfortunately did not include my checked suitcase. Even still, I had a decent time on the flight, discovering that the people sitting next to me had also gone to Santa Clara and also had a daughter starting her freshman year there this September. Amid the changes occurring in my life, it was nice to find strangers sitting right next to me with whom I had some things in common.
First thoughts in Paris: yeah, this really is nice.
I traveled into the city from the airport via the RER commuter train and spotted a glimpse of both the Sacre Coeur cathedral and the Eiffel Tower from my window seat. It was lovely, and of course, started off my time in Paris quite fittingly.
In my time wandering around ever since, it's been unreal as I remind myself, "I live here now." It really is as beautiful as I remembered it.
Second thoughts in Paris: it is empty right now.
Paris empties out for much of the month of August, as the locals flee the hotter weather for beachier or more mountainous climes. I had heard of this phenomenon but hadn't realized just how true it would be until I showed up. Of course, plenty of people are still here, but many are tourists. It is especially noticeable when you are in desperate search of food in a non-touristy area: side streets are quite, windows are shuttered, and signs on doors regret to inform you that the café will be closed until the 22nd or 30th of August. It has actually made some things more difficult, especially shopping and trying to get myself acquainted with the neighborhood.
At the same time, it's been nice to see Paris now before the hustle and bustle returns.
Third: boy, I wish I spoke French.
As someone who's visited Paris twice previously, I have already faced a surprising amount of language barriers as I've tried to settle in here. And granted, that's what I get for moving to Paris without speaking the local language. At the very least, it's motivating me to learn French (and currently pretend I know certain words). I start intensive French classes next week, and they really could not come soon enough.
But what am I saying? It's overall been really amazing here so far.
I'm already eating marvelous food.
We sat along the Seine at sunset, and then walked over to the courtyard of the Louvre.
Zeineb and I walked along the Canal Saint Martin, which I can tell will become a favorite place of mine to spend a beautiful summer evening.
Maya, Paige and I took a trip out to the Parc Floral, where a classical music concert was taking place.
And we have also explored the Luxembourg Gardens on a few occasions.
I should really have a better excuse for why I haven't written anything yet, but really, I've just been keeping quite busy alternating between being extremely productive and extremely (let's be real) lazy. After the whirlwind that was my life for the past three months or so, it is nice to just have time to relax, enjoy, and do whatever I feel like.
I arrived in Paris last Tuesday via a flight from SFO that unfortunately did not include my checked suitcase. Even still, I had a decent time on the flight, discovering that the people sitting next to me had also gone to Santa Clara and also had a daughter starting her freshman year there this September. Amid the changes occurring in my life, it was nice to find strangers sitting right next to me with whom I had some things in common.
First thoughts in Paris: yeah, this really is nice.
I traveled into the city from the airport via the RER commuter train and spotted a glimpse of both the Sacre Coeur cathedral and the Eiffel Tower from my window seat. It was lovely, and of course, started off my time in Paris quite fittingly.
In my time wandering around ever since, it's been unreal as I remind myself, "I live here now." It really is as beautiful as I remembered it.
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| A random ivy-covered house in my neighborhood. |
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| The view from my room |
Second thoughts in Paris: it is empty right now.
Paris empties out for much of the month of August, as the locals flee the hotter weather for beachier or more mountainous climes. I had heard of this phenomenon but hadn't realized just how true it would be until I showed up. Of course, plenty of people are still here, but many are tourists. It is especially noticeable when you are in desperate search of food in a non-touristy area: side streets are quite, windows are shuttered, and signs on doors regret to inform you that the café will be closed until the 22nd or 30th of August. It has actually made some things more difficult, especially shopping and trying to get myself acquainted with the neighborhood.
At the same time, it's been nice to see Paris now before the hustle and bustle returns.
Third: boy, I wish I spoke French.
As someone who's visited Paris twice previously, I have already faced a surprising amount of language barriers as I've tried to settle in here. And granted, that's what I get for moving to Paris without speaking the local language. At the very least, it's motivating me to learn French (and currently pretend I know certain words). I start intensive French classes next week, and they really could not come soon enough.
But what am I saying? It's overall been really amazing here so far.
I'm already eating marvelous food.
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| Such as this pain au chocolate and a ficelle (virtually a baguette filled with cheese and ham) |
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| Tempted to buy everything in this patisserie |
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| Certainly the most unique thing I've eaten so far: a foie gras macaron with a lemon glaze |
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| Part of that same meal at L'Avant Comptoir: the macaron, a glass of a delicious red wine, croquettes de jambon, and a whole lot of butter. Not cheese in the background - that's butter. |
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| Bo bun at a Cambodian restaurant |
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| While I wouldn't expect to eat sushi in Paris, it was a nice change from the bread. Also that carafe of rosé cost me less than 3 euros, which is something I could easily get used to. |
In addition to eating, I've also done a lot of exploring around town with all this free time. It's been great having both a friend from my program, Maya, as well as a friend who used to intern with me in DC, Zeineb, in town since I got here. It's really been great to explore with them and have friendly familiar faces around to stave off any homesickness.
Thus far, I've walked over to the Eiffel Tower, of course.
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| Maya and me over the Seine |
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| Me, Maya, and her girlfriend Paige |
Zeineb and I walked along the Canal Saint Martin, which I can tell will become a favorite place of mine to spend a beautiful summer evening.
Maya, Paige and I took a trip out to the Parc Floral, where a classical music concert was taking place.
And we have also explored the Luxembourg Gardens on a few occasions.
Overall, I'm really appreciating the pace of life right now: wander, eat, sit and enjoy the beautiful views surrounding us, and repeat. Of course, this will change when my first classes start next week, but until then, I'm going to make the most of this.
A bientôt!
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