First Day in Paris

What a wonderful day! I got to sleep in until 10 after a long night of trying to get the internet to work consistently in my basement (it didn’t work). After a leisurely morning and a breakfast/lunch of steak and potatoes (weird?), I headed to the RER to spend a few of the afternoon hours in Paris!

It took me just 5 minutes to walk to the RER station from my house and less than 20 minutes to ride into the center of Paris from Nanterre! What a life I lead! Anyway, I knew I loved rue de Rivoli, so I followed those “Sortie” (exit) signs from the Chatlet metro stop. Right when I came up for air from the metro, I remembered why I enjoyed rue de Rivoli so much. H&M. Not just one… two. I could hear the angels singing. Just to satisfy my cultural side, I stopped in the park that holds le Tours Saint-Jacques. After 10 minutes, I headed straight to H&M. I don’t know what got into me. I can’t explain the force that H&M had on me. Before I arrived, I could’ve sworn the first thing I would do is discover the Louvre a little deeper, revisit my love for the Musee Rodin, or explore the un-explored. But no, I went shopping. Alors, c’est Paris! In my defense, it is valid to “explore” the up and coming fashion trends of the city I call home before I make an unnecessary faux-pas. Ended up with 10 sets of earrings for under 10 euros. Not a bad start.

Tonight, my host family took me out to dinner at Chez Clement in Paris near the Arch de Triomphe. What a wonderful meal! I finally learned how French people really dine. I’ve learned French etiquette in school for years, but never experienced it. I can’t believe after all the time I’ve spent in France that I’ve never eaten dinner with a French person, let alone a French family. The thing I found most bizarre was that my French host family had their hands above the table at all times. I’m very accustomed to the opposite. So, when my host mother kept correcting her son, I found myself having to be reminded of the same thing. No elbows on the table, just hands where we can see ‘em! We talked a lot about politics, very unusual in the U.S.-I need to review some current events! I love the difference in cultures-très intéressant! My host family ordered oysters for an appetizer and a bottle of Bordeaux red wine (they let me choose :). Then, I had a mélange of meats for my entrée and three different flavors of sorbet for dessert (peach, apricot, and pear). Talk about satisfying. Whew!

After dinner, the girls (mother and two daughters) and I rode together and took a petit tour de Paris by car. We drove around the Arc de Triomphe, up the Champs l’Eysees, down Rue Montaigne, and up to the Tour Eiffel. What a beautiful site! I am in love with Paris at night. There is so much life here. I love city life-always something going on, something interesting to do, to see, experience. People, couples, photographers everywhere you look. Having the time of their lives. (Yes, I am a romantic).

Ah, p.s. before I forget. I got the best half-complement in the world today from my youngest host sister (age 6). After I picked her up from school today, She looked up at me as she held my hand and said, “You know you really look Parisian. But when you speak, I know you are American.” Welp, I’m halfway there :)