My Paris

Classes are done, bags are packed, tickets are printed. These last ten weeks have been the most incredible of my entire life. I saw so much I had never seen before, learned more than I could have imagined, and met some really amazing people. And I think I did a rather good job of keeping up with this little travel blog along the way; if you actually tuned in the whole time, props to you. For my last post, I thought I would talk about what Paris is to me. It might be the most visited tourist city in the world, but it has become a second home to me. And there are places in Paris that aren't as well-known or touristy - or are touristy - that constitute My Paris. As excited as I am to travel for a couple weeks after, and then return home to see my family and friends, part of my heart will always be in Paris.

Rue Vavin
I became very familiar with this cute little road in the 6eme arrondissement, between Boulevard Montparnasse and the Luxembourg Gardens. It housed CUPA, where I spent at least 15 hours every week, and where I learned amazing things from some incredible professors. It's also home to a small boulangerie with a blue facade, an overpriced and tasty chocolate store, and a gelato shop, all of which I frequented. There's a Starbucks that I spent  too much of my lunch money, and where the workers seemed to recognize me by the end. Rue Vavin, that small one-way road, will always have a special place in my heart.

Food
Of course the food. All of it. But I also have my favorites. Like this tiny crepe stand around the corner from the St Michel fountain. It has the best (by best I mean cheapest and delicious) crepes in Paris. I went there on the first and last day of classes, and if felt like everything had come full circle. I also love the apple and brie sandwich from the boulangerie across from CUPA. Paired with a pain au chocolat aux amandes for dessert. I love that eggs are a dinner item. The Camembert cheese we had almost every night after dinner. That we had baguettes every single night with dinner. Nothing can compare to the delicious food of France (sorry Dad - I still love your food, though).

Eiffel Tower Nights
Yeah, part of "My Paris" is the quintessentially touristy Eiffel Tower. But it's not just the monument itself. It's a very specific patch of grass, to the left of the main part. Where we would bring a bottle of wine and watch as the tower lit up a midnight. It was moments like those that the absolute magic of the city hit me, and when I realized even more how incredibly fortunate I was to be in Paris with such amazing people.

Issy les Moulineaux
Admittedly not technically Paris, but close enough. I didn't explore Issy as much as I wish I would have, but what I did see was rather adorable. You get French charm, away from the bustle of the city center. You get shops that people don't assume you're a tourist, so you get to order in french and be delighted when they respond in french. There's the mediatheque, where I spent many a Sunday, doing all the homework I should have been doing throughout the week. Parc Henri Barbusse, that has a surprising and splendid view of the Eiffel Tower, as well as a tree-lined pathway that's straight out of a fairy tale. And of course, the 7 minute walk to and from the metro, up the hill, past the Playing Card museum, to the right, to my pink-painted house.

Family
Last night, we had a goodbye dinner with all the students from the program. We went around and said our favorite experiences. About half of the students "favorites" were in relation to their host families. Mine was as well: it was my host sister's first communion, and all of the extended family was there. I loved not only meeting more French people, but also seeing what a French family - cousins, grandparents, and all - is really like. And honestly, it's not that much different from an American one. I've learned a lot in my classes, but I've learned so, so much - from little words to jokes - from the family that opened their home to me. It sometimes got rough living with children aged 8 and 10, but it was so worth it and I will miss seeing them every day.

There are so many more little things that I see as being essential to Paris, and to my experience in Paris, but I just can't name them all. I've loved living in this city for two and a half months, even when I got stressed, or homesick, or was just having a bad day, the magic of Paris never left me. Sometimes all it took was a wander through a neighborhood I didn't know, or a trip to Monoprix for some chocolate, and I was feeling better. As sad as I am to be leaving, I know that I'll be back many times. Until next time, Paris.

I'll leave you with this - the view of the Eiffel Tower from Parc Henri Barbusse.