Europe 2024: Paris, France

October 25, 2024

I’m in Paris now, my first full day here, and I’m sitting in a town center waiting to go on a food tour. I’m excited to try some delicious local food. I’m even more excited that our tour is in English which means people I can actually converse with! 

I had a great (almost) week in Ireland with my family. It was much needed. So good for my soul. Had some really good conversation. I got to Paris yesterday afternoon and it’s been quite the culture shock. I don’t speak any French and most people here speak very little English. But I’ve gotten the things I needed and ended up walking all the way from my Airbnb to the food tour meeting spot. I walked through what feels like the slums of Paris, which was quite an interesting experience. I would assume you must have to love the smell of cigarettes to love Paris. I’ll be honest, it feels a bit dirty to me. But the weather is wonderful. Nice and warm. A bit humid, but thankfully I packed a tank top. 

I’m not sure if I’ll try my hand at navigating the MET or if I’ll rough it on foot back to the Airbnb. Other than a half mile stretch, it didn’t feel unsafe. We will see. 

I’m not in love with Paris but I’m trying to make the most of it. I had a therapy session this morning and it went really well... I have a lot to think about and pray about. I’m excited to go home and see my people. I love my life right now. I’m excited to see what happens next at home. For now, it’s time to navigate the streets of Paris, alone! It’s quite the challenge but I’m up for it. 

… well, that was a bust. I’m 95% sure I read the directions right for where to meet and even watched a couple groups meet before my time. No one showed up for my tour. I waited and waited… I’m mostly just bummed that I wasted $150 for nothing... but I’m making the best of it and decided to do my own food tour. I started with ice cream from a delicious shop, followed by a stop at a bakery for some sort of giant bread stick stuffed with meat and peppers. Now I’m sitting at a restaurant and just ordered pasta. I’m so thankful most people have been patient with my lack of French. I feel like I’m just pointing at things but somehow, it’s working out and I haven’t starved yet. 

I’m just a couple blocks away from the Moulin Rouge so after this, I’ll wander down that way. Then I’ll wind my way back to the Airbnb, taking a different way this time to hopefully see more beautiful architecture. 

I’m surprised I don’t feel as alone today as I expected, even despite missing an English-speaking food tour. It’ll all work out. The roads are pretty crowded so for the most part, I feel safe. 

I will look for some gifts today while I wander back to the Airbnb. I’m glad I like walking because I’m definitely getting my miles in! Which is great too because I’m eating plenty of carbs. 

October 26, 2024

It’s about 4pm in the afternoon. I spent the majority of the day in bed. My body isn't feeling great- I'm not sure if the jetlag is catching up to me or if it's something I ate. Either way, my bed was comfy and Netflix kept me entertained. I’m now on my way to the Arc de Triomphe. Once I get to my destination, I’ll grab a quick snack of some sort and maybe a coffee (and WATER. I desperately need hydration). Tonight is dinner on the river cruise. I’m excited for that. Mostly with the hopes that there will be some English-speaking people. 

…I just boarded the boat for my dinner cruise on the Sien in Paris. The wave of relief when I got to the right dock with plenty of time to spare was huge. I think I’m the only person here who is doing this dinner solo. I’ve had many people tell me how brave I am for doing this trip alone. I guess I’ve just reached the point in my life where I’m not going to wait for someone to adventure through life with me. Just because I'm single doesn't mean that I can't live a little... even if that means going to Europe and experiencing these things by myself.

Has it been easy? HELL NO. But am I growing because of this adventure? ABSOLUTELY.

Is going on a romantic dinner cruise in Paris by myself a little awkward? YUP. But oh well. The food will still be delicious, the view will be beautiful, and it’ll be a story to tell. 

Well, dinner is about to start. Bon appetite!

October 27, 2024

Today was my last full day in Paris. I walked about 4.5 miles to the Louvre for my tour, stopping for a pan au chocolat on the way. I found the meeting spot for my Louvre Museum tour and met another American. We stuck by each other throughout the museum, cracking jokes and enjoying speaking English. After the museum tour, we wandered over to the Eifel Tower before his train arrived. For a couple hours, I didn't feel alone in a sea of strangers. It was really nice.

After parting ways with my new friend, I walked back to the Louvre. My legs were so sore, so I found a taxi to drive me back to the Airbnb instead walking the 3+ miles back. Once I get to the Airbnb, I’ll walk across the street to the restaurant at the corner and grab dinner. I haven’t eaten all day, other than the pan au chocolat so I need food. Preferably meat and carbs. Hopefully something French. It’ll be my last meal in Paris so I will celebrate. It’s ending much better than it started!

...last evening in Paris. It’s Sunday so a lot of restaurants are closed. I walked about a block down the road from my Airbnb and found a cute little restaurant with outdoor seating. I lucked out, once again, with a waitress who speaks enough English to understand my order. I ordered a warm goat cheese salad to start and duck confit for my entree. When in France, I guess? 

The music is in French and all the other guests around me have their own conversations going (in French of course), so I’m sitting here in my own quiet moment, reflecting on the last couple days. 

I’m very… tired, mostly. I’ve walked more in the last couple days than I have ever before. I hope the trains are easier to navigate in Italy because my body is tired on walking. My hips ache. I should have prepared better before the trip.

I survived here in Paris better than I expected when I first arrived. I panicked in the beginning, not sure how I was going to navigate my way around this big city. But I improvised and powered through. I’m thankful for it. It was a good challenge for me. After this whole experience, I don’t know that there’s anything I can’t do, really. Off to Rome tomorrow.