my week!

Wednesday

I watched and played with Marie most of the morning.  Well, my "morning." HER morning began at 4 am when she woke up her parents.  She is still fighting a sickness. Once she gets her medicine in her, she does much better. I hate seeing her look so pitiful and sick. 

Wednesday's are one of the days I work the most hours.  I did leave the house during Marie's nap time. I had a lovely afternoon walking around Valbonne. 

Notice I did not use the term "exploring" Valbonne. I know this village now!

I spent more money than I should at the little shops. I know I do not have much time left and I don't want to ...uh.."forget" anything before I leave ;)

When I returned for the evening Marie seemed much more like herself! In fact, she did not even want me to stop and eat my dinner she wanted to keep playing with her outside!  How can I resist when she is saying in ENGLISH 

"Come on Leah! Let's go!"

Thursday

Grasse, France


Christine asked me the other day if I had anything else I wanted to do before I left.  She mentioned a while ago about this amazing perfume and soap store in a city called Grasse  Everything at this store is made from southern France!  Apparently the only place in the world where lavander grows naturally IS southern France.   The store is called Fragonard (I may have spelled it wrongkm)  There are currently a few other shops around France but the one in Grasse is the oringial.

Anyway, we went to Fragonard and we even bought Marie.  Grasse is a little bit of a drive away, so I really appreciated Christine taking me here!  It was really cool to be in a perfume type store where everything is literally made in their "backyard"
(Not quite the same experience at Bath and Bodyworks!)

Marie loves my watch, and her mom told her that she would get her a watch!  We looked all over the stores around Grasse but did not see any that were for kids.  I am SUCH an expert shopper that I happened to spot some! Marie was so excited!  She had been begging her mom for a watch!  She picked out a lovely little pink watch that came with a diary.  She also got a little matching clock for her room. 
  

After that, we went to a little cafe and had a late afternoon snack. 

I had an AMAZING crepe!  Christine suddenly smelled some coffee and remembered how much I LOVE it so she told me I could get some if I wanted.  Once I smell coffee, it is SO hard to resist.  So I gratefully acccepted her offer.  Shopping, crepes, and coffee.
Cest parfait!!!

She was starting to feel tired at this point --ha!  Or maybe I am just taking too many pictures!


Christine told Marie that she did not even have to take a bath last night since she was not feeling good.  Marie decideds tonight she wants one--which usually it can be a struggle to get her to the bath!   So she says, "Come on to the bath Leah!"
She gets in the tub then she looks at me and then at her and then says,
"You and me in the bath."
And points to the spot next to her.  That little Marie!

I did not get all the way in the bath with her, but I did put my legs in.  She got a new toothbrush, so she decided to use her old one for bathtime.   She was scrub-a-dub-dubbing herself with a little pink tooth brush.  Then she begins to scrub my skin with her toothbrush.  Ha!  Once she got bored of that, she put soap on her toothbrush and began to...uhh.. 'wash my hair.'
She is always thinking of something!  She reminds me a lot of my big sister, Sarah when she was little.  She always had so many ideas and little inventions.  She loved exploring how things work, just like Marie.  
After bathtime, when I carry her little self wrapped in her pink towel into her room, she often likes to play this little game with me.  (Well, I think its a game)
The game is called..
 "Dont Let Leah Put Your Pajamas On but Run Around the House Naked Instead"

Something my big sis, Sarah would have done too.
:)


It is a good thing you are like my big sissy, Marie!  Because she is an engineer and is very smart and wonderful!

WEEKEND..... I met up with some au pair friends and headed to the market in Valbonne! Later that night was the national "FESTIVAL OF MUSIC" where all over France people are playing live music on the streets! It was fun.

I am also currently not in FRANCE........ I'll update later to tell all about it. ..... CIAO!

bonheur

bonjour mon amis...ou des inconnus....:)
quelques photos















I am so behind on my blogging!  Paris and making friends here in Valbonne has set me back some.   
It is a scary thought that I do not have much time left.   Not going to think about it.   Yet.

Saturday
I spent my entire Saturday in Nice with 2 other au paris.  I got to bike the entire coastline! I even biked some on the main road.  Who am I these days!   It took me about three hours.    It was really....nice.  It was also very nice spending the day with other au pairs!   We all have at least some common ground.  Even though we come from totally different places and areas in our lives.   It is definietly interesting to see.   I have realized just how much of an "American" girl I am.   My day in Nice I talked with people from Holland, Mexico, Germany, Romania---what an interesting group of people to all be sitting on the beach together in France sharing about ourselves.   I can honestly say my experience here in France has been so wonderful and englightening!  


My bike ride, the flower market, and Nice at Night! 








SundayIle Sainte Marguerite


I spent all day Sunday with my friend from Holland, Renee on an island off the coast of France! We had to take a boat ride--it was so lovely and relaxing.  We were on the island all day. Hiking, relaxing, swimming, exploring, picture taking, and talking.    It was the perfect day.  Christine and Christophe are so nice to give me all that time off this weekend!  They knew that these were things I desperately wanted to do before I left.  So thanks again to you both! If you are ever in this area of France, defintitely go see this island! 






Monday
This morning, Marie woke up so excited to play with me!  Having not really spent much time with her lately, I was very happy to get to play with her!  We were best buds alll day long.  She even spent her afternoon looking for things in the garden as "a gift for my mom"  Yes. A gift for my mom inAmerica.... She said she saw her on skype and "she loves her"  I love her too, Marie!


Marie has had a fever the last few days, but if you did not know her, you would not be able to tell.  She is always full of life and energetic!  I love that about her.  This morning she made the biggest mess I have ever seen in her room!  A mess so big her mom just decided to take the day completely  reorganizing it.   It was a fun morning, though.  We made a giant "Boat" in her bed!  She put almost every toy she owned in her bed, as well as an umbrella, a lamp from downstairs which she wanted plugged in and underneath the giant fort I made over the bed.   It was so cute to hear her using English.  I was trying to squeeze my twenty-three year old five-foot seven self inside this tiny fort on her bed and my feet were sticking out.  She proceded to tell me no, "No!  Look at the feet and the toes!" Then she helped me squeeze them in as well.
After this, I was so hot from all the blankets!  I picked her up and we opened her window for some fresh air.  She then began singing the melody to Elton John's Can You Feel the Love TonightShe was singing it in French but, me being the AMAZING (ha) musician I am I immediately recognized the song!  I began to hum along with her and she was in my arms as we looked out at the beautiful mountains and palm trees in the distant.    Perhaps it was just how music always touches my heart, or hearirng the soaring melody of this world famous song, or being emotional in gerneral about leaving,  but Marie and I had one of "those" moments together.  I'll never forget it.  We then searched the house for her stuffed "Simba" and watched the Lion King.   We danced together when this song came on during the movie.  Later that night..I  got in the bath with her in my bathing suit!  She was so excited she was jumping up and down  and up. And bust. My lip.  Ah yes, a busted lip by a four year old during bath time.  I quickly called Christine in and took care of the bleeding.  When I came back, Marie was so happy because she "wanted me to stay with her!"It is stories like this that I will always remember!


Tuesday
Poor Marie is still fighting a sickness.  She woke up early this morning with a terrible fever.  Her mom had taken her to the doctor the other day, but they were informed it was just a virus.  
So today Christine took her to the doctor again, they tried to do a strep test but Marie (sorry) threw up everywhere! Therefore they could not get the test in.  In America, a doctor would just go ahead and prescribe Marie the antibiotics for strep, but not here in France.  They could not do anything so if she is still running a fever in a few days they have to go back to the doctor AGAIN! Despite being sick, when she has a little bit of medicine in her she is playful as ever. (as I already mentioned)Today I pushed her around the house on a skateboard, played with a kermit the frog puppet with her, let her try on my beautiful graduation present Michael Kors watch that she has always loved (I know, I know.  She only wore it for about five minutes)  I probably should have not let her wear it, because now shes keeps telling her mom that she wants one.  Watch out, Christine--she is starting young!



the au pair community



It seems anytime I am in a big group of other au pairs, it turns into a little "venting" session.  I have realized that "venting" is an American expression used mostly by young people so let me explain.Venting-  (v) When a person tells stories of their hard times, frustrations, bad experiences, to other people who can relate or just listen to them complain.
Therefore, I have heard many many first hand account au pair stories since I have been here.  I must say that I really do have THE BEST host family there is!  I spent a lot of time praying about what country I should go to, and about what family I should be with this summer.  It was not just a "hmmm I think this sounds like a good idea to go live in another country, I will do it!"I knew that leaving my home, my country, my family, and joining all new ones was a big decision!  I prayed a lot, and I had such a peace about coming here with Marie and her family!

Don't get me wrong, my experience here has not been extremely easy all the time and a vacation 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  I am just saying that I am so blessed by my wonderful family here in France and that I am so happy that the LORD has placed me here and opened up my eyes to so many wonderful, beautiful things.             

another night in Paris

I wrote this on the day it occured.  I am thankful for God's protection and helping me get home safely.

Another night in Paris...

I (no exaggeration) just had one of THE most stressful days of my 23 years on this planet. 

I woke up this morning with an email from Christine telling me that the train station is having a strike today, and that my train was cancelled.  I was to go to the train station, try to get my ticket switched to tomorrow.   She gave me the address of her friends who live in Paris, but since they work during the day she could not get a hold of them until nighttime, and the plan was for me to stay with them overnight.

Wow.     Mom, take a DEEP breath as you are reading this.  

My friends that I was touring Paris with were so nice, they took me to the train station and helped calm me down.  I tried to be positive and think to myself, "Hey, I get another night in Paris, this is great..."   But  the power of positive thinking can only go so far!    I did not start to worry REALLY until we got to the train station to try to switch my ticket to the next day.  Because of the strike, half of the information desks were closed, there were long lines, everywhere, ect.      In the US, "information desk people"  are overly kind and helpful.   I remember complaining about this before, how I wish people would just be genuine and not overly fake and nice.   I think I have changed my mind on this.

I could not find anyone who spoke good English, but everyone was just telling me, "Oh it is okay, just come back tomorrow and get on the same train."   They basically were saying I did not have to officially switch my ticket.   That just really did not make sense to me.    I have an assigned seat number, ect.  What if someone bought a ticket for FRIDAY in the first place.....I could not just take their seat with the wrong date on my ticket.   I waited in THREE different lines to talk to different people and everyone kept telling me the same thing.  "Oh it is fine just come tomorrow..."

Christine had told me I needed to talk to information and get my ticket switched.  Therefore I knew this didn't line up..

MEANWHILE It was everyone else's last day in Paris as well, and they had already spent the morning trying to help me.  There was nothing else I could do at this point.  We decided to go eat, and then they were going to help me find the address of the people I would be staying with at night.   (I really appreciated their helpfulness!)   I figured the French family I was staying with could maybe help me figure out the train for the next day, or if worse comes to worse have my daddy-to-the-rescue and buy me a plane ticket to Nice, France the next day.    

*** My 3G was not working at all in Paris, so I had NO way to contact Christine or Christophe this day.   Unless I got wifi.  Pretty much after I left the hotel and wifi it was "good luck to me."   Once we sat down for lunch, I decided to run to starbucks to replace my official "Paris" starbucks mug that happened to break and grab some coffee.  While at starbucks,  I thought it would be wise to check my email from Christine to see if there were any updates.    I GOT AN EMAIL FROM HER SAYING THAT IT WAS ONLY THE MORNING TRAINS THAT WERE CANCELLED AND MINE WAS STILL ON!   Whew.  I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  However, my train left at 2 :50 and it was currently 1:40--and we had just ordered lunch at a restaurant.     In the US, you can be (if you really try hard) in and out of a nice restaurant in 30-40 minutes.  In France, going out to eat is at least and hour and a half ordeal.    Long story short, we all made it back to my train station with 20 minutes to spare before my train left.   Whew!

I basically sprinted to find my train!  

    Didn't. See. It. Anywhere. 

 The train staff informed me that my train REALLY WAS cancelled.  

Oh.

Luckily Christine and Christophe informed me that there was another train to a near by city from Valbonne.  It was one that was departing a couple hours later after my original one---I needed only to get my ticket changed.   As you have already read getting your ticket changed is not that simple.   My friends were so kind to stay with me up until this point.   They train staff told me (again) that I did not have to get my ticket changed, I could just jump on the train I needed.    So far I have experienced in France is that different people will tell you all different things.  I was not sure if this was correct or not.  Maybe these people did not really want to "deal with me" and they just told me the easier answer.    I really did not know what to believe.      All I knew was, is that there was a train headed towards where I needed leaving in 3 hours, and I was going to do whatever it took to get on it. 

In fact, Christophe warned me if people were telling me not to get on that train, I needed to just "play dumb."  So, that was my game plan.     My friends were still with me at this point, and they told me they were going to stay with me until I got on my train.  There was no way I was going to let them spend their last afternoon in Paris waiting with me at the station.  I was fine and there was nothing else they could really do to help.   We said our goodbyes, and they were off.

And there I was.   In the world's biggest train station, not having a clue if I could even get on the train I needed, thinking I might be finding my way around the subway system during rush hour to find these people's house I was to stay with if I did not get on the train, without cell service, in Paris.   Not to mention it had been pouring down rain all day, and the train station is partially uncovered.     

Apparently, at this train station, you do not know the "gate" number of your train until right before the train leaves the station.   There are many trains, all with numbers, but no one knows which train goes where until it flashes on the giant blue screen that all the people are staring at.   Once a number was flashed,  all the people would literally start RUNNING to their gate.    It was a mad house today.   I do not know if it was because of the strike or if this is just how their system is set up.   

So there I stood.   Cramped between all these people.   I could not sit down and try to relax because  I did not know if the people running were to the trains because they were trying to make sure they got on because of the strike.  I  knew if I did not get on my train it would be TERRIBLE.  I just stood there for 2 hours watching that little blue screen, waiting for the location of the train to Cannes to flash on the screen.  

 Just to be safe, I ended up asking about a million different workers, if the current ticket I had for the train that was cancelled earlier today, would still be good for another train to another city later in the day.   None of them understood what I was asking....I even had to use the french phrase,

"Est-ce bon pour Cannes?"

Everyone answered me, "Oui, Oui."

19.

 

It finally flashed.  The train headed to Cannes was leaving at station 19.   The people started running.   I felt like I was a small critter in the midst of a stampede.  As I was running towards my train, a French business man who was also running asked me (in FRENCH)  "Excuse me, is this train headed to Cannes ?"   I just looked at him, dumbfounded, and murmured a quiet,   "Oui."

Even HE didn't know!   Finally I am on the train, but before I could breath a big sigh of relief,  I had to make sure I was in the "right" seat.  I did not want a repeat of my last train ride.  Of course I was in the way wrong spot, and I sprinted alllll the way to the other end of the train, got back on, and hoped I was in the right seat this time.

As I was sitting,  there were many people coming onto the train, telling others they were in the wrong spot.  It was like a twisted French version of musical chairs right in front of my eyes.    No one seemed to be in the right spot.      It may sound terrible, but I must confess...If someone came up to me tell me I was in the wrong seat, I (for a split second) considered to pretend I was a deaf person and just start using sign language.    I even hid my headphones.

But really, I was scared if I moved seats, somehow, I may end up off the train again, and that is the last thing I wanted to happen.   Literally every single person around me had someone else make them get out of their seat.   This was not my original train.  Of course I was probably in someone's seat.

Nope.   No one approached me.  I am currently sitting in seat 107, room 15.  This train is PACKED.   Every seat is full, people are squeezed and sitting on the stairs, on the floor, in the walkway, ect.    I am very thankful I have a seat, and I am on the train, and I am headed HOME.

Home.  My second home.   I miss Marie and my little French family a lot!   I really do feel like I am headed home.  Which is a wonderful, wonderful thing.  

Another night in Paris? 

Maybe in a few years.

70 percent of trains cancelled in France

click the link!

PARIS

"you can't go all the way to France and not see Paris!"

My time in Paris was absolutely wonderful.

Day One

I did not arrive in Paris until around 5 o clock in the evening on Monday.   The train ride there felt like the longest day of my life.   As mentioned in one of my previous blogs.

Finally when we got to Paris, and I am standing in line to get off the train---I am smiling so big.  I think I was even saying aloud, "I'm in Paris, I'm in Paris!"    No one around me was smiling!  I can understand why the Parisians and businessmen would not be jumping up and down, but even the people who I could tell were touring---no smiles.   I probably looked like a crazy person.  Or maybe I am just really thankful.   Or maybe I realize how much I love France and it's culture and could not wait to see its capital city---either way  I did not care.  I'm a girl who came all alone all the way from Tennessee---YES I am going to be beaming when I arrive in Paris.  I did not care who stared.

  

I had told my friends that we would just meet at the train station, Gare de Lyon.  We did not set a specific location AT the station because I thought, "Oh it's a train station, we will just meet in the lobby."    Wrong.   In my opinion, its the worlds biggest train station.   It was like 10 times bigger and more crowded than the Chattanooga Airport.   There about three floors to this train station.  And no main "lobby."    My phone was not picking up any signal in the station either.  I did not know if their flight got delayed,  I did not know where to find them, ect.   I still had a smile on my face!  I just searched the whole station, everywhere I thought they could possibly be.   No where.   As I was approaching the last area I had not scoped out yet,  this young man approaches me and says,

 "Leah?"

I automatically (without even thinking of answering in English) said, 

"Oui?"

For about a good 5 seconds we both just stared at each other.   Then he said, "Jaclyn's friend...Leah..."

"Ah, YES!"

You see, I was meeting my friend Jaclyn and her 2 friends, but I did not know what they looked like.  I was looking for Jaclyn and her friends.   It was her friend Phil, they had split up to find me.    He got confused because I answered in French and knew that "Leah" was American.    We laughed about it all week long!   

We spent our first night in Paris eating dinner near the Eiffel Tower.   Every night, the tower lights up, and for about 10 minutes it has lights on it that begin to sparkle!  We caught the very end of this the first night.    

 Ah, PARE-EEEEE.

Day Two

let them eat cake!

Versailles not really in Paris, but a little bit outside.  It took us about a 50 minute subway ride to get there.   We left out hotel very early.   I have been living in the riviera, and I looked up the weather for Paris and it was supposed to be in the 70's.  I believe it was in the upper 50's.  It was also raining.  I did not bring my umbrella to France because I wanted to save room and thought I would just borrow one of the de Dinechin's umbrellas.  The bad news is that they do not have really any portable ones that would be good for traveling.     I ended up buying an 8 euro umbrella at the Versailles gift shop.  Not bad.

Long story short, we waited in line for 3 and a half hours for entrance to the palace.  Luckily it was not pouring down rain--but still--it was an adventure!  There were many French kids on field trips to Versailles that day.  It was so cute!  I do love French children!  Watching them all play and talk with each other made the long wait a little more bearable.  In the US when kids go on field trips they wear matching t-shirts with the school name.  In France, all the groups had bright colored hats on.  

Versailles was incredible.   I was awestruck!  We had previously decided it was an entire day trip, and I am glad we allowed time for that.   It was beautiful and full of history.  Being from the US,  there aren't many places that are older than 200-300 years old.  At least around where I live.  It is just so cool to me to be standing on the same land where so many events in history took place.    

I very much enjoyed the garden at Versailles as well.  It's HUGE. We spent hours there and did not even see a fourth of it.

We had lunch at a little restaurant in the garden.    And here is where it starts.  I have been living in France a month already.  Every single thing I eat tastes so fresh and delicious.    The only restaurants at Versailles are, of course.  Tourist-y.   I literally spent 10 dollars on a frozen pizza.  The bread my friends were eating was as hard as a rock.  I was so mad!  Here they are experience France for the first time and that is the food they get!  I was determined to help them find good French food later.   So,  if you plan a trip to Versailles, or any other tourist-y hot spot,  try to eat somewhere a little out of the way.  The food will probably be a lot cheaper, and a lot better.  

....later that evening I helped us all find TRUE crepes and we ate them as we watched the lights of the Eiffel Tower.  We sat on the grass and had a very lovely evening!  I could have eaten three of those crepes.  My crepe of choice was nutella and banana!

I also taught some of them how to properly (well probably not PROPERLY) but more close than how they were pronouncing the word "Crepe."    

AKA  "CRAAAPE"

Then it was time for the long trek through illegal street vendors,the subways, and walk back to our little hotel.  

Rest. 

Day Three

that da Vinci sure knows what he's doing

It was my second day in Paris and we had A LOT to see.  When you are traveling with others, you can't simply do all the things on your own little list.    We all had certain things we wanted to do.  By some miracle, we got almost all of it in.

Our day started off with a lovely boat ride around Paris!  We took the Bateau Mouche, as suggested by Christine and Christophe.  Everyone loved it!  It was very relaxing, and we got to see so much.  

Side story

If you know me well, you know I like often like my personal space when it comes to being around strangers.  I know that is typical of most Americans, but especially of me.  For instance, when we ride the subway together, if there is a seat alone,  I will go sit there instead of with my friends because I would be more comfortable there.  Anyway, on this little boat ride we all found our spot on the top floor of the boat.    Next thing I know---out of alllllll the open seats, this Asian lady comes and sits right next to me.  THERE ARE A MILLION OPEN SEATS!   So I just move seats on the other end of my friends.  No big deal.

5 minutes later.

An Asian man comes and sits right next to me.   While his wife is not evening sitting by him. All my friends start dying laughing. Can you believe that! It is not even like we had a great row or anything.  So, I move away from him and my friends, and sat in a row all by myself.  And I very much enjoyed all my leg room, putting my purse on an empty seat next to me (yes, I was still holding on to it) and relaxing while seeing Paris.

Next on the agenda was Notre Dame!  I was very excited.   Apparently it is almost the 850th anniversary.   It was free to enter, which was nice.   I even lit a candle and said a prayer inside.  How cool.   Like I said, there is no feeling like standing where so much history took place!  Just think of all the people that stood in there before me.  Incredible.

After Notre Dame we were very hungry---but I was NOT going to have another repeat of yesterdays lunch.   I think I might have been a little bit bossy in this moment, but it was for the good of everyone else!    All around Notre Dame was tourist-y restaurants.  They all had the same red umbrellas and writing on them that said,   "Hot Dogs, Crepes, Burgers"

Uhh, no.  That is not a legit French cafe!

After fast walking through the hustle and bustle, I found us the perfect spot!   We took our lunch to the park behind Notre Dame.  It was lovely!  Minus all the tourists that kept feeding the pigeons!  Ewwwwww.   

It was a good thing I bought that umbrella, because at this point it started to rain!  Everyone wanted to see Moulin Rouge.    After figuring out what subways we needed to take, and actually getting on the subway---you could tell we were leaving  the nice part of the city.   You could tell by the people on the subway where we were headed.   Actually you could tell by the smell of the people on the subway where we were headed.   It was very sad.   I felt a little unsafe.  Only on the subway though.  Perhaps since it was so crowded and smelled bad  it made me feel uncomfortable--I don't know. 

Once we got off the subway I felt better!  But still we were on "that" side of town.  I was thankful we had a male in our group this moment.  The girls and I made sure not to make eye contact with people, and walk fast.  We got to Moulin Rouge, snapped some pics and quickly headed back.

DISCLAIMER

*Mom, take deep breaths as you read this

But knowing me, I desperately had to use the restroom.  I had been holding it!  I did not want to go in that section of town, but we passed a single public restroom.  The group said I would be fine and that they would wait right outside.  The restroom was one of those where its in the middle of a little park, you push the door open, its one single room with a toilet and sink, and then you press the button for it to open.   Kind of like the US port-o-pottys.  Anyway, I press the button for the restroom to open, begin to walk in and all the sudden this large, lady wrapped in linens who was old and looked like she might be a gypsy starts going into the bathroom with me.  I push her out of my way and made it out.  She starts talking to me, I had no clue what she was saying, but my friends and I just walked away quickly.  I know that some people want to wash your hands for you so you will pay them, but not in a SINGLE ROOM TOILET.  Why would I want to use the bathroom in front of a stranger!! Maybe she was harmless, I don't know.   It was odd.

I was even more creeped out on the subway ride back after this event. I was happy to get out of there.

The Louvre!

The Louvre is a giant art museum in Paris.  It takes place in an old palace that was replaced by the palace of Versailles.  When we were waiting in line to get in, this couple handed me two free entrance tickets.  Can you believe that!   What a blessing.

I do not think the Louvre has air conditioning, or perhaps it was just broken that day.  It was so hot and so crowded inside.  There were so many incredible things to see, we had to press through.  There was not even a line to see the Mona Lisa!  I really felt like she was looking at me!  It was an experience, to actually be observing the most famous painting in the world. I got to look at the colors, the lines, the shadows, all in person.   I decided that da Vinci really knew what he was doing.    Incroyable!

After this, I really wanted to talk a little stroll on the Champs Elysées.   What an amazing, lovely, shopping street.   Finally found my way to the H&M.  I did not spent much time in there, because I am not in Paris to shop, but still, had to buy a few things on the Champs Elysees!  At the end of the street we got to see the Arc du Triumph.

I am so thankful that I got to see and experience Paris.  

I am very happy I decided to see Paris towards the middle of my stay here in France.  I really appreciated the city and it was great having known a little bit about the true culture here before seeing this city.  However--   In my opinion, southern France is the most beautiful, beautiful place.   Really, there is nothing like the French Riviera.  I am so grateful to be living here, even if for a short time.    I know I am right where I am supposed to be.

now..

You can't go all the way to Paris and not see southern France.

Leah

la tour eiffel

For as long as I live, I will never forget the feeling I felt when I first saw the Eiffel Tower.

I was just sitting on the subway.  So eager to see Paris,  especially the tower itself.   I have only seen it in a million movies, tv shows, pictures, decor, clothes, and to be honest I always wondered what the big deal was.   That is just the cynicism in me. 

 

 Side story.  My parents took our family to see the Grand Canyon one year for vacation.   I would LOVE to go back now, I know I would appreciate it much more.   I distinctly remember telling my parents, 

"Whats the big deal, it's just a big hole in the ground."

(Ha.   My sarcasm level has only gone down a few notches since I was 12)

And to confess,  I was not even set on going to see Paris this summer.  Yes I am living in France---but the very very SOUTH of FRANCE.  Far from Paris.  I thought, 

"Sure Paris, would be a cool thing to see, but its okay if I don't."

I decided if I had the opportunity of course I would go, but I came to France to experience the true culture and beauty, not just see a huge tourist destination to "say I have been there."

As I sat on the subway, and glanced up,  I saw it.  The Eiffel Tower.  More glorious than any movie or picture could ever capture.  It was right there.  I was so close to it, I had to look up to see the rest of it.  I was beaming with joy.    It was beautiful.   I'll never forget that moment.  I hope you all can experience it if you have not.   Especially my mom, I know she would love it.