Paris, France:

19.09.09.

I live on the 4th floor of this old building in the heart of the city.
Living on the 4th floor in France really means living on the 5th floor and so considering the building is sans elevator and I make the walk a hundred times a day I am getting in great shape.

I ate a typical French plate today of raw ground beef and liked it.
I get a bit queasy even thinking about making hamburger patties and so when the giant cold blob of raw meat was put in front of me on a plate decorated with salad and potatoes and I dug into with my fork, I have to say, I was pretty impressed with myself.

Paris is beautiful. It is big, easy to get around in by metro, easy to get lost in on foot and the architecture is very picturesque.

The French people I have meet so far have been extremely nice which goes against what I have been hearing my entire life.
It makes me happy when negative stereotypes turn out to be not entirely true.

Everything tends to be a bit smaller here.
I remember having seen three overweight people (and I’m not even sure if they were French),
The café is strong and served in little cups.
Lunch takes hours to eat.
Sitting and enjoying your food and the company you are with for a long time is fabulous.
We’ve been eating three course meals, but the portions are smaller and so when you leave you are not stuffed, but feeling just right.
The cars are small; the streets are smaller.
I amazed at their parking skills.
I don’t know how they do it, but the cars are literally touching end to end.
I have no idea how you would get out.

Speaking French is a constant challenge, but I am loving it.
I am sure I sound like a three year old.
Or worse.
But I just keep telling myself that it can only get better.
School hasn’t started yet, but I am excited for it too as nerdy as that sounds.

I miss you guys a lot and think about you all often.
I hope all going well and I’m excited to hear from you.
I want to write little personal messages to you all and will, but want to avoid doing the copy and paste thing so I will put the general stuff here.

Hugs,

Courtney