. american

HULLO! I've had some time to settle back into the States and so far it's been very interesting. Lately while talking to people, walking around I find myself saying "In Paris..." Reverse culture shock wasn't huge for me since it was such a short time I've been away from home, but it still happened. I sometimes still say "Pardon" if I bump into other people hahah and I still get confused about tipping. It's SO much easier to just pay the price on the price tag!! 

So I moved into Boston yesterday and I'm getting ready to go back to classes! But I'm afraid to lose French so I'm going to start reading "Le Petit Prince" (I noticed I read faster in French now) and HP Sorcerer's Stone! I met my roommate who went to Japan for a year, so it's really cool that I can talk about my own travel experiences.

Hmm, what else? THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN PARIS:

1. Sacre Coeur - The guys at the bottom of the steps with bracelets. Don't let them put it on you, just walk away!
2. Louvre - The woman with a gold ring who will ask you if you dropped it. It's a distraction!
3. Arc de Triomphe - The girls with the scarves on their heads who will come up to you and ask "Do you speak English?" then ask for money, then curse at you if you don't give them any. These are the same girls that sit on stairs with their heads low with a cup out. They take turns to give the illusion that they've been out all day.
4. Pigalle (Red Light District) - A man who will walk closely in front of you, drop rolled up paper to make you stop short while his partner pickpockets you!

I can't think of more right now, but basically NOTHING in Paris is free! People tend to keep to themselves and do not really talk to people they don't know. So if people do approach you on the street, just be sure that they are tourists asking for directions!

Living in Paris has been a great opportunity and experience for me. There will be a lot of things I miss and things that I won't miss. However the fact that I got to be part of another culture and live like another human in this great big world has been rewarding. I actually feel a lot more cultured and closer to the French community after having lived in France. I'm so glad that I was able to take elective classes to improve on my creative skills and see world-famous art by Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Salvador Dali, Leonardo DaVinci, and my favorite artist: Rene Magritte! One day I hope to go back as an experienced Parisian and remember all the fun I had!

GOODBYE PARIS! =*)