The end has unfortunately finally arrived...I go home in just a few days time now and I am extremely sad. I have met amazing people along this journey and I don't want to say goodbye and I have also seen amazing things that I do not want to part ways with, only thing missing are the tears. I have said goodbye to all my friends over a group dinner and my friends at the cafe. Did my last minute shopping and indulged in some heals and a vintage shop dress. Go figure I would find the good things at the end. Go figure I would also make friends with Parisians at the end of my trip. The other night my only French friends a couple I met back in New York City invited me to a Parisian house party and everyone was so delightful, truly breathtaking spirits. But all things happen when they do for a reason, maybe I am meant to come back to Paris sooner than I think. The great part about this trip is that I officially found that my heart is capable of belonging to more than one great city at a time.
I cried at my farewell dinner, because I fell in the love with the friendships I created but I promised not to loose any of them, life brings you presents sometimes I believe and the present I received on this trip was a great group of 8 men and women from all around the world, was I truly this lucky?....I believe so.
I can't wait to hug and kiss my parents again and see my best friends and eat a home cooked meal, the other side of me truly can't wait for all of the above.
Monday, September 12, 2011
"The culture here is an Interesting one!"
After having arrived to Morocco I realized plenty of different things right upfront, one of those things being "the culture here is an interesting one!" I had heard many mixed reviews about Morocco and North African countries in general. So I was pleased to be on the fan based side of things. Although this would be a short trip I wanted to make the most and really indulge in the differences here. American media has done a good job at making Muslim people and their cultures seem extreme and insignificant all at once. So I wanted to visit a country where I could asses my own opinion.
The city of Marrakesh is a booming one, traffic everywhere but no stop lights in sight anywhere. It had occurred to me on the way to my hostel that we were in Ramadan so I was curious as to how that would affect my trip. As soon as I got off the bus I saw people breaking out into fights and arguments in every stop along the way I thought "hmm here is a group of riled up individuals" when it had not registered that maybe just maybe everyone was riled up from the lack of food through out the day. Then on the walk to the hostel I was almost ran over twice by speeding motorcycles. I wanted to at least survive the first day of my trip, therefore this would require my full and undivided attention when ever I would walk somewhere.
After checking into my very cozy hostel which had a great feel to it, I ventured out solo to get some dinner. I was going to give myself just two rules when it came to food here in Morocco: 1. No tap water, and 2. No meat in my meals. So I was on the prowl for the best cooked vegetable meals. But the first thing I realized once I walked back out of the hostel was the most bizarre thing from when I entered. There was a calmness in the streets after the sun had gone down. The busy busting of the earlier sun was gone, men where not hollering my way or even at each other. It was peaceful in the streets as I made my way to the restaurant.
I got a sense of how the Moroccans got down after 7:30pm once they were allowed to eat, then and only then did it occur to me why it was so calming and peaceful in the streets, when people are to busy with food in their mouths all at once...well there's no one left to make the noise. At the restaurant the nearby groups of Muslim people enjoying their dinners were so nice, with tables filled with huge amounts of food, a guy walked over to me when he saw I was still food-less and offered me one of the extra smoothies at the table. Being my uptight nervous American self I politely denied the man thinking "never leave your drink unattended and definitely never take a drink from a stranger" but the gesture made my day.
When I got back to my hostel I found my favorite thing about vacationing alone begin to occur...I made my first set of friend. These two adorable sweet sisters who were from all over Europe. I say all over because they were born in Scotland, Raised in Greece and currently living in Barcelona as a Ceramic professor and Linguist. And yes they spoke at least 3 to 4 languages each! Since it was Ramadan we were forced to not go out for a drink but mint tea. My poor poor sober soul.
We spent the evening shopping, enjoying food and getting to know one another and the only thing I could think to myself was how lucky I was to be in such an interesting place with even more interesting people. I felt oddly blessed... The next day at breakfast I said goodbye to the sweet Scottish pair and said hello to my new set of 6 Portuguese friends whom I would spend the rest of vacation with.
We traveled the city together, ate dinner, smoke hookah, went on our excursions together. I quickly began to love this warm group of individuals. All from different parts of Portugal, speaking multiple languages, and working different jobs. They group even met on their trip to Morocco, it was like destiny had brought me to meet these people for a reason. The best part was that I was given something I had been missing this whole summer in Paris, a piece of home...we spoke plenty Spanish, they were loud and funny and if it weren't for the random blurts in a language I could not speak I would have thought these people were even Puerto Rican's. It was truly great, we even went hiking to the mountains of Orika Valley and ate lunch on the river...yes tables seats and all were soaked and I was happier than ever to be in my scenario.
At the end of my trip we all said sad and happy goodbyes...they were my little Portuguese family and I promised next time we all met I would be visiting them in Portugal!
The city of Marrakesh is a booming one, traffic everywhere but no stop lights in sight anywhere. It had occurred to me on the way to my hostel that we were in Ramadan so I was curious as to how that would affect my trip. As soon as I got off the bus I saw people breaking out into fights and arguments in every stop along the way I thought "hmm here is a group of riled up individuals" when it had not registered that maybe just maybe everyone was riled up from the lack of food through out the day. Then on the walk to the hostel I was almost ran over twice by speeding motorcycles. I wanted to at least survive the first day of my trip, therefore this would require my full and undivided attention when ever I would walk somewhere.
After checking into my very cozy hostel which had a great feel to it, I ventured out solo to get some dinner. I was going to give myself just two rules when it came to food here in Morocco: 1. No tap water, and 2. No meat in my meals. So I was on the prowl for the best cooked vegetable meals. But the first thing I realized once I walked back out of the hostel was the most bizarre thing from when I entered. There was a calmness in the streets after the sun had gone down. The busy busting of the earlier sun was gone, men where not hollering my way or even at each other. It was peaceful in the streets as I made my way to the restaurant.
I got a sense of how the Moroccans got down after 7:30pm once they were allowed to eat, then and only then did it occur to me why it was so calming and peaceful in the streets, when people are to busy with food in their mouths all at once...well there's no one left to make the noise. At the restaurant the nearby groups of Muslim people enjoying their dinners were so nice, with tables filled with huge amounts of food, a guy walked over to me when he saw I was still food-less and offered me one of the extra smoothies at the table. Being my uptight nervous American self I politely denied the man thinking "never leave your drink unattended and definitely never take a drink from a stranger" but the gesture made my day.
When I got back to my hostel I found my favorite thing about vacationing alone begin to occur...I made my first set of friend. These two adorable sweet sisters who were from all over Europe. I say all over because they were born in Scotland, Raised in Greece and currently living in Barcelona as a Ceramic professor and Linguist. And yes they spoke at least 3 to 4 languages each! Since it was Ramadan we were forced to not go out for a drink but mint tea. My poor poor sober soul.
We spent the evening shopping, enjoying food and getting to know one another and the only thing I could think to myself was how lucky I was to be in such an interesting place with even more interesting people. I felt oddly blessed... The next day at breakfast I said goodbye to the sweet Scottish pair and said hello to my new set of 6 Portuguese friends whom I would spend the rest of vacation with.
We traveled the city together, ate dinner, smoke hookah, went on our excursions together. I quickly began to love this warm group of individuals. All from different parts of Portugal, speaking multiple languages, and working different jobs. They group even met on their trip to Morocco, it was like destiny had brought me to meet these people for a reason. The best part was that I was given something I had been missing this whole summer in Paris, a piece of home...we spoke plenty Spanish, they were loud and funny and if it weren't for the random blurts in a language I could not speak I would have thought these people were even Puerto Rican's. It was truly great, we even went hiking to the mountains of Orika Valley and ate lunch on the river...yes tables seats and all were soaked and I was happier than ever to be in my scenario.
At the end of my trip we all said sad and happy goodbyes...they were my little Portuguese family and I promised next time we all met I would be visiting them in Portugal!
Going home soon...
Paris is most amazing in the morning, it's one of those places where you begin to compare everything you have ever known before and try to pick apart the differences. I will be going home soon and saying goodbye to my amazing friends and delicious wine and cheese (yes the stereotype is true) and saying hello to my career when I arrive in NYC. I am sure a lot has changed a lot since I have left but one thing can be for sure, cities never do.
I will be heading to Morocco for a few days which is exactly what I wanted to do on this trip, but with a little patience (something I am still learning) and credit card I managed to get what I wanted, I don't know what to expect but I plan to stick to the cooked vegetables and no meet or tap water, let us see if my stomach will survive that.
The book is exactly where I want it to be but with less than two weeks left here I think I will just go with the flow of things and see where and how I end up...no rush right? I am only 22 (this I keep telling myself).
I will be heading to Morocco for a few days which is exactly what I wanted to do on this trip, but with a little patience (something I am still learning) and credit card I managed to get what I wanted, I don't know what to expect but I plan to stick to the cooked vegetables and no meet or tap water, let us see if my stomach will survive that.
The book is exactly where I want it to be but with less than two weeks left here I think I will just go with the flow of things and see where and how I end up...no rush right? I am only 22 (this I keep telling myself).
Friday, August 19, 2011
More in love each day...
The longer I stay here, the more I feel I have discovered the city and now I discover the people. With my close group of friends and cafe chats I really feel I could stay a bit longer now. Today I went to what was the only comparison to a real coffee shop here in Paris, and that it not to be confused with a cafe. Now what is the difference you might ask? Well in NYC we have lots coffee shops, a place of gathering for writers, regulars, students etc. Drinking a good old cup of Joe and hanging around for hours on end. A cafe here in Paris is a place to eat, drink and well hang for an hour or two. You look sort of like a squatter if you just stay around for hours on end at a cafe here in Paris.
But one of the sweeter things about the day was going to a dinner based on American style dinners, and meeting a few local internationals studying here in Paris. A sweet little Korean Puerto Rican from California, a British fellow and quirky Mexican. I felt I could have spent my whole evening there listening to their stories and what brought them to Paris. People always say my story sounds amazing, (artist moves to Paris after "Uni" to write a book etc) but these people have the true amazing stories...not even done with studies, or even able to speak the language when they move away to a foreign country...yup they make me look like a sucker!
So what was I doing on a Friday night in Paris today? Reading a book at my favorite little cafe while sipping on a espresso with Baily's cream. It's all bliss to me...the servers at the cafe know me by hard already and greet me with a kiss and hug every time I see them now...I will miss this circle of warm people here in Paris.
But one of the sweeter things about the day was going to a dinner based on American style dinners, and meeting a few local internationals studying here in Paris. A sweet little Korean Puerto Rican from California, a British fellow and quirky Mexican. I felt I could have spent my whole evening there listening to their stories and what brought them to Paris. People always say my story sounds amazing, (artist moves to Paris after "Uni" to write a book etc) but these people have the true amazing stories...not even done with studies, or even able to speak the language when they move away to a foreign country...yup they make me look like a sucker!
So what was I doing on a Friday night in Paris today? Reading a book at my favorite little cafe while sipping on a espresso with Baily's cream. It's all bliss to me...the servers at the cafe know me by hard already and greet me with a kiss and hug every time I see them now...I will miss this circle of warm people here in Paris.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Paris at 9:30 a.m.
It's a 9:30 crisp morning air here in Paris on a bright beautiful August morning...this scene might seem more then cliche in an anyone's mind as they read my current blog entry. But this is what it is, blissful and perfect and the couple next to me just adds to the view. They are having a couple of cappuccino's and just discussing, I can't quite tell if they are tourists or just morning Parisians but all I can think of are my parent's. Older couples always appear much cuter to me then they might actually be to any other person.
I know I have found one particular thing about this morning, the earlier the wake up... the better the inspiration. I just wanted to open up my tiny little pink net-book and start writing. Even long after the couple is gone and strolling down the street I am writing away. Lost in nostalgia as I begin to enter the next chapter in my book about my journey from Munich to Milan. I remember this humble feeling I had about life after I left Dachau but I am struggling to bring fourth that emotion in my writing...something's about New York made me run to Paris and now I am slowly believing those same things are going to bring me back to NYC.
Until then, the sun is starting to come over the building and the hours are starting to pass this morning...I think it will be noon in Paris soon.
I know I have found one particular thing about this morning, the earlier the wake up... the better the inspiration. I just wanted to open up my tiny little pink net-book and start writing. Even long after the couple is gone and strolling down the street I am writing away. Lost in nostalgia as I begin to enter the next chapter in my book about my journey from Munich to Milan. I remember this humble feeling I had about life after I left Dachau but I am struggling to bring fourth that emotion in my writing...something's about New York made me run to Paris and now I am slowly believing those same things are going to bring me back to NYC.
Until then, the sun is starting to come over the building and the hours are starting to pass this morning...I think it will be noon in Paris soon.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Let Go
The countdown continues, I return home in just a couple of weeks. I also leave for Morocco in a less than a week. I am also quite content because I actually feel like I have made the most of my experience here in Paris. I don't feel like I will leave with an unsatisfied taste in my mouth. Everyday waking up and writing, going to my little favorite cafe to read my book and make friends. And some nights spent a bit more inebriated than I would prefer but still spent with good friends. I think if I had to pick one thing I will miss the most here, it is the special people I have met. Crazy men in the cafe who keep your attention for hours on end, good friends with whom you spend to many nights drunk with or too many days eating.
Another amazing thing has occurred to me since I have been in Paris. While working on my book, I find it quite difficult to let go of a lot of feelings that I have harbored towards a couple of characters. Some of those characters being my ex boyfriends. In particular my first one, my first love as i specifically remember him. But I sat at a cafe one day reading a great chapter in Eat Pray Love, one particular chapter on forgiveness. And I just remember feeling a warmth in my stomach, as I almost began to cry over her description of letting go of her ex-husband.
I immediately thought to myself, why haven't I forgiven my ex-boyfriend. This guy who played such an important role in my life at one point, and in this book...why haven't I let go. Was I waiting for a feeling like this to overcome me or was I waiting for another sign. Difference between me and this book was the fact that my ex had tried contacting me in the last couple of years. When I think back to my grudge I do feel bad having kept one for so long. But that has now changed, I went home and contacted him via face book and wrote him a letter of...forgiveness. Who knows if we will ever enter each others lives again but I would like to know I have also....Let go.
Another amazing thing has occurred to me since I have been in Paris. While working on my book, I find it quite difficult to let go of a lot of feelings that I have harbored towards a couple of characters. Some of those characters being my ex boyfriends. In particular my first one, my first love as i specifically remember him. But I sat at a cafe one day reading a great chapter in Eat Pray Love, one particular chapter on forgiveness. And I just remember feeling a warmth in my stomach, as I almost began to cry over her description of letting go of her ex-husband.
I immediately thought to myself, why haven't I forgiven my ex-boyfriend. This guy who played such an important role in my life at one point, and in this book...why haven't I let go. Was I waiting for a feeling like this to overcome me or was I waiting for another sign. Difference between me and this book was the fact that my ex had tried contacting me in the last couple of years. When I think back to my grudge I do feel bad having kept one for so long. But that has now changed, I went home and contacted him via face book and wrote him a letter of...forgiveness. Who knows if we will ever enter each others lives again but I would like to know I have also....Let go.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Is it really almost time?
Oh how time flies, already leaving in three week! When I first arrived I felt as if I were a tourist visiting Paris for the first time, and now the end is near and I feel like I could have extended my trip longer. So many things I still want to see and new things I keep discovering. I finally moved into the 5th district where I have a tiny studio in the heart of the Latin Quarter. No seriously, absolutely tiny, as in my shower in adjacent to my kitchen sink, (and no there is not door dividing the two). But I do kind of feel like a true writer in residence. My ground floor apartment over looks a backyard garden which can be either of two things, good AND bad. Good for morning sun and fresh air and a silent view, but bad for the critters who make their way into the apartment without any given permission. Yes I have killed two spiders already.
I go to my favorite cafe everyday where I am finally meeting my dose of real Parisians and even practicing my French. I made particular friends with an old man who spoke seven languages. I'm not quite sure why I stayed and spoke to him for so long, or why I took his cell phone number but very glad that I did, he had old stories that kept me wanting to hear of more. He was balding with gentle crisp blue eyes. I spend most of my time listening, and interestingly enough, he has inspired my writing more than any other person has here.
It's also going to be quite sad leaving the group of friends I have made here, just when intimate stories have began exchanging and drunk nights you will never forget have begun happening, I have to go. But for some reason I have this gut instinct that I will be returning to Paris, maybe to write my second book or even to see the people I have come to call my family away from home. Who really knows? I am certain of one thing though, I have learned more about myself than I expected to. My strengths and weakness, my will to get over random sad nights. The other night I had my first extreme sad night where I was severely missing my mom, to the point of tears. It's crazy how you don't realize how much you miss your mothers embrace until it's completely out of your life. And all the fights and annoying things about her, are suddenly forgotten and you can't even completely remember what she does to annoy you. But for some reason I'm sure I will be reminded of that one as soon as I return home
I appreciate things he more, the random nights out and all the people I meet, dinners with food I have never tasted before, and walks down winding streets with cafe's and shops only one would find here in Paris. This inner emotion has only been triggered here, I now crave more and yearn to taste something new, and I only want to explore more and more.
I went to the north of France last week and stayed with a friends family. In this beautiful house not to far into the country. The city itself was absolutely charming, and the food! Well let's just say if you want good French food, I wouldn't come to Paris. I ate so much while in Metz, and absorbed something that was completely foreign to me. I almost didn't want to leave and was saddened that I had only seen this one gorgeous city outside of Paris. I wondered if this was comparable to the south.
Next stop is Morocco, after all who knows when I will have time again to see this country and it's been on my to do list for quite a while. I feel extremely privileged to be able to keep making new dreams come true for myself. Privileged by whom, I don't really know...one shouldn't always analyze these things.
I go to my favorite cafe everyday where I am finally meeting my dose of real Parisians and even practicing my French. I made particular friends with an old man who spoke seven languages. I'm not quite sure why I stayed and spoke to him for so long, or why I took his cell phone number but very glad that I did, he had old stories that kept me wanting to hear of more. He was balding with gentle crisp blue eyes. I spend most of my time listening, and interestingly enough, he has inspired my writing more than any other person has here.
It's also going to be quite sad leaving the group of friends I have made here, just when intimate stories have began exchanging and drunk nights you will never forget have begun happening, I have to go. But for some reason I have this gut instinct that I will be returning to Paris, maybe to write my second book or even to see the people I have come to call my family away from home. Who really knows? I am certain of one thing though, I have learned more about myself than I expected to. My strengths and weakness, my will to get over random sad nights. The other night I had my first extreme sad night where I was severely missing my mom, to the point of tears. It's crazy how you don't realize how much you miss your mothers embrace until it's completely out of your life. And all the fights and annoying things about her, are suddenly forgotten and you can't even completely remember what she does to annoy you. But for some reason I'm sure I will be reminded of that one as soon as I return home
I appreciate things he more, the random nights out and all the people I meet, dinners with food I have never tasted before, and walks down winding streets with cafe's and shops only one would find here in Paris. This inner emotion has only been triggered here, I now crave more and yearn to taste something new, and I only want to explore more and more.
I went to the north of France last week and stayed with a friends family. In this beautiful house not to far into the country. The city itself was absolutely charming, and the food! Well let's just say if you want good French food, I wouldn't come to Paris. I ate so much while in Metz, and absorbed something that was completely foreign to me. I almost didn't want to leave and was saddened that I had only seen this one gorgeous city outside of Paris. I wondered if this was comparable to the south.
Next stop is Morocco, after all who knows when I will have time again to see this country and it's been on my to do list for quite a while. I feel extremely privileged to be able to keep making new dreams come true for myself. Privileged by whom, I don't really know...one shouldn't always analyze these things.
Monday, August 1, 2011
A piece of Paris for everyone
Small world is the most necessary cliche word to keep in our dictionary. Because I have been in Paris over four weeks and I have met with more people from home here that I haven't seen in a years time. My friend Sarah has come to stay with me which is funny because me and Sarah met over three years ago working at Starbucks together. And although we have a mutual friend together we were never that close. But when I heard Sarah was studying in Spain for the summer and stopping in on Paris I just had to offer her a place to stay, hey I am my mothers daughter after all. I will say this I was a bit apprehensive because I wasn't that close to Sarah and I know hosting people can be quite expensive and I was on a budget here in Paris but her stay was more than good. She was extremely generous and quite funny to have around. We were both in quite amazement at how close we had become for not actually being so close back home. I also felt pretty good knowing the city very well and being able to take someone around. And it was so nice having a fellow New Yorker here from home to understand me and in this crazy different city.
I took her for wine in Montmarte, dinner in Bastille, a walking tour of central Paris, and more wine along the canal. The day started at 9am and seemed never ending, cash didn't even seem to matter after a while because I myself was enjoying the city in ways I hadn't done while I was here and I guess I enjoy hosting people more than I thought because it made me happy just to see Sarah's face light up when she saw something new and beautiful because I myself felt the same way when I first arrived in Paris and I find it's a feeling I want everyone to experience.
Today however has been dedicated to writing and well lets just say it's coming along extremely well. Finished my fourth chapter which was much longer than I expected it to be but I felt so good moving forward. Look's like going MIA for a couple of days out of every week is just what I need for my writing. I disconnect my internet and turn off my phone and let my fingers do the talking. My quite apartment is all I need but today it looks like I want to go into town and get a cappuccino, Sarah insist on taking us for a nice French dinner as a thank you so I am saving my appetite for later :-). I hate cheesy smiley faces when I am writing but my mood is something that can't be explained in complete words!
I took her for wine in Montmarte, dinner in Bastille, a walking tour of central Paris, and more wine along the canal. The day started at 9am and seemed never ending, cash didn't even seem to matter after a while because I myself was enjoying the city in ways I hadn't done while I was here and I guess I enjoy hosting people more than I thought because it made me happy just to see Sarah's face light up when she saw something new and beautiful because I myself felt the same way when I first arrived in Paris and I find it's a feeling I want everyone to experience.
Today however has been dedicated to writing and well lets just say it's coming along extremely well. Finished my fourth chapter which was much longer than I expected it to be but I felt so good moving forward. Look's like going MIA for a couple of days out of every week is just what I need for my writing. I disconnect my internet and turn off my phone and let my fingers do the talking. My quite apartment is all I need but today it looks like I want to go into town and get a cappuccino, Sarah insist on taking us for a nice French dinner as a thank you so I am saving my appetite for later :-). I hate cheesy smiley faces when I am writing but my mood is something that can't be explained in complete words!
Monday, July 18, 2011
It's been a while!
It's been quite some time since I have been on, it's a combination of far too many bottles of wine in one week and the distractions of the lights this city brings upon you. For a couple of weeks I was even struggling to get a page in my book done, I felt so guilty and lazy, but then a French friend of course disagreed with me one day by saying "but you are doing something, you are going to cafe's and meeting people, you are doing plenty" and I thought to myself is this the Christian guilt seeping in or the plain old American guilt? This Idea that one has to merit everything they do, and so I can not go out to the cafe at night If I have not completed a solid chapter in my book that afternoon. Then I spoke to my wonderful father whom even I find to be from another planet at times with his way of thinking, and he told me "listen you can always write a book where ever you go, you can write a book here in New York, but your only in Paris so many times in your life, so enjoy everything you can there; that you can't here". I woke up the next day after speaking to my father feeling more than inspired.
The truth is I make friends quite easily, this is a given but the type of people I am meeting here are so amazing. The other night I went to a bar that held live Afro-Jazz music, and I met these two beautiful British girls on vacation with their elderly but strong grandparents! I couldn't believe my eyes at the spirit these four people had, I almost felt I was meant to be at that bar for over five hours so that I could meet them. Mind you the live music scene here is booming with great artist. I was moving to those African drums like I came straight from The Ivory Coast, I also made friends with some cool Australians, and more English people. And thanks to face book, and modern day technology of I phones, we were instantly able to ensure our connection online and if ever in any of these countries; I have already been offered numerous places to stay. People, they really amaze me and I find it so hard to be a miserable person with so much beauty in the world. Beauty in these faces and in these souls and it gives me so much faith that we will get by another day or so.
I speak to my friends and family a lot though, even with the friends I have made here and the amazing nights out we spend with each other (our current new family) I miss the people who know me best, so much. My bestie Vicky, my loves Shadae and Frenchi and my Mother and Father, man I miss them so much. My best friend and Boyfriend Jonathan. I wish I could stay here longer and ship them all over, and If only I could.
My French is improving or so I think, the other night we spent the whole night picnicking and drinking bottles and bottles of wine under the Eiffel tower, we watched the sun go up and lights come on then the sun go down and the lights go down on the tower. We made friends with Brazilians and guitar players and me and my new gal pal Greta danced under the stars to these amazing sounds. And then spoke French with these talented people all night long, and so I am convinced at least one bottle of wine needs to be in place in order for my French to take form. Almost every other night I come home with the sun and finish the night with a steak; Mother worries I won't eat well but I ensure her I am full of energy and protein.
I have local cafe's I go to and friends I meet every other day, and I think this is what I will miss the most when I leave, really seeing people. Listening to their stories, ordering more and more wine and feeling alive. Sleeping when I need to and eating when I am hungry, and not following any schedule at all. The people here have taught me the beautiful art of living, this art is a strongly fair and difficult one to teach.
The truth is I make friends quite easily, this is a given but the type of people I am meeting here are so amazing. The other night I went to a bar that held live Afro-Jazz music, and I met these two beautiful British girls on vacation with their elderly but strong grandparents! I couldn't believe my eyes at the spirit these four people had, I almost felt I was meant to be at that bar for over five hours so that I could meet them. Mind you the live music scene here is booming with great artist. I was moving to those African drums like I came straight from The Ivory Coast, I also made friends with some cool Australians, and more English people. And thanks to face book, and modern day technology of I phones, we were instantly able to ensure our connection online and if ever in any of these countries; I have already been offered numerous places to stay. People, they really amaze me and I find it so hard to be a miserable person with so much beauty in the world. Beauty in these faces and in these souls and it gives me so much faith that we will get by another day or so.
I speak to my friends and family a lot though, even with the friends I have made here and the amazing nights out we spend with each other (our current new family) I miss the people who know me best, so much. My bestie Vicky, my loves Shadae and Frenchi and my Mother and Father, man I miss them so much. My best friend and Boyfriend Jonathan. I wish I could stay here longer and ship them all over, and If only I could.
My French is improving or so I think, the other night we spent the whole night picnicking and drinking bottles and bottles of wine under the Eiffel tower, we watched the sun go up and lights come on then the sun go down and the lights go down on the tower. We made friends with Brazilians and guitar players and me and my new gal pal Greta danced under the stars to these amazing sounds. And then spoke French with these talented people all night long, and so I am convinced at least one bottle of wine needs to be in place in order for my French to take form. Almost every other night I come home with the sun and finish the night with a steak; Mother worries I won't eat well but I ensure her I am full of energy and protein.
I have local cafe's I go to and friends I meet every other day, and I think this is what I will miss the most when I leave, really seeing people. Listening to their stories, ordering more and more wine and feeling alive. Sleeping when I need to and eating when I am hungry, and not following any schedule at all. The people here have taught me the beautiful art of living, this art is a strongly fair and difficult one to teach.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Must Write!
So aside from my odd sleep patterns, I have officially been running around Paris the last few days and have totally neglected my duties here to my writing. Of course try telling a Parisian that, I kid you not the only obvious answer to them is "Well that's fine,your on vacation!" Ha! But that's the thing, this is supposed to be much more than vacation, I'm supposed to be concentrating on a primary goal, and that is a book. I had some friends in town from NYC, go figure I wouldn't see people from my Meisner acting class for a year and a half, but we reach Paris and reunite again. It was so mind boggling as to why me and Illeana could never ever meat up back in our home city. Along with that, there have been a couple of meet up's with the expats in Paris group, dinner near the opera, and Woody Allen films. If I have to say anything about Midnight in Paris, is simply "Love Letter" and that is a love letter to Paris. Funny and quirky of course, but we can never expect anything other than from a Woody Allen film.
The weather has been pure bliss though; it's so hard to focus with clear, bright and sunny skies every day this past weekend. I look at it this way, it was 4th of July weekend in America, so I'll pretend I have celebrated in Paris.
A start of a new week how ever and that is what I shall begin, I woke up early for the first time in over a week, had breakfast and began writing first thing. I will start another thing I lost back in NYC and that is my Yoga routine along with my first meal. That is right, today I will begin cooking food. Now I have no clue what my first meal will be but I'm going to the market today and I will figure it out. My flat mate, makes it a lot easier to eat everyday however, since she includes a daily breakfast in the rent! One which is always prepared and out before I even wake up, she's a sweet French lady from the south with a much softer accent than I am used to here in Paris. She is so helpful with getting me to learn French which makes sense since she is a French teacher...breakfast and French help, talk about lucky.
Now my only difficult mission will actually be to stay in today and write...
The weather has been pure bliss though; it's so hard to focus with clear, bright and sunny skies every day this past weekend. I look at it this way, it was 4th of July weekend in America, so I'll pretend I have celebrated in Paris.
A start of a new week how ever and that is what I shall begin, I woke up early for the first time in over a week, had breakfast and began writing first thing. I will start another thing I lost back in NYC and that is my Yoga routine along with my first meal. That is right, today I will begin cooking food. Now I have no clue what my first meal will be but I'm going to the market today and I will figure it out. My flat mate, makes it a lot easier to eat everyday however, since she includes a daily breakfast in the rent! One which is always prepared and out before I even wake up, she's a sweet French lady from the south with a much softer accent than I am used to here in Paris. She is so helpful with getting me to learn French which makes sense since she is a French teacher...breakfast and French help, talk about lucky.
Now my only difficult mission will actually be to stay in today and write...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Feeling as if I have just begun Living in Paris
I do love the lifestyle here in Paris, the last couple of days have been spent either eating everything in plain sight, or meeting people for wine while getting lost in the Bastille and Montmartre...The other day I literally covered all of the steep hills of Montmartre on foot until I found the nearest metro stop. It was beautiful because everything was closed and it was a Sunday, so it's peaceful tranquility was hard to find on any other day in Paris. I went back to my favorite cafe where I received some more slow service, but this time I was accompanied by a girl from Canada whom I met there! She was interning in London as an art gallery curator which I of course found extremely interesting, she was one of those sweet bubbly people whom you couldn't help stare at and wonder "whats life done to you, to make you be so happy?"
After that I took the metro down to the Bastile which I had no idea was located, but I figured once again, the day is young so I will walk until I find it. The day was warm and I had just finished a very much craved Big Mac, now before all the judgment begins all of my American friends must understand one thing.... I HATE McDonald's and do not show any support back in the states. But on this Sunny Sunday afternoon I had an unexplainable craving so I did what I thought I should do while in Paris, I satisfied my craving. And boy was it worth it! So at this point I had completed a Big Mac meal, espresso and Gelato in Montmartre and now I had the odd craving for Sushi!
I returned home that evening after completing a great day out and about, I was talking with my boyfriend when I received an invite by this group on face book I had joined to meet people like myself in Paris. I thought "no one ever just makes random plans back in New York, this is what I have been waiting for...Spontaneity in Paris!". So I jumped on the next metro and met three very interesting people for wine back in the Bastille. One gentlemen of Indian decent but born and raised in Greece, who then studied in London and now lived in Paris! Yes talk about a very confusing accent, then another gentlemen from India who was here on an internship and finally my favorite...a girl named Vilte. Vilte is here on similar a similar exhibition to myself, a writer from LA who was taking a break from life back home. She is Lithuania and just as bubbly and outgoing and most of my friends back home, We immediately hit things off!
Today I sit in my usual cafe in Nanterre and drink the last bit of my delicious cappuccino where I can still taste the bottom of the cups last bit of sugar. The couple in front of me in middle aged and still in love, I can't help but stare; they catch me and simply smile. Everything is different here people enjoy their lunch hour in outdoor cafe's with no rush back to the office; I wonder if they are on a paid hours lunch break. After this I will meet with another American artist here in Paris for my first Parisian photo shoot, she is very talented and so I am very excited.
I miss my family more and more each day but something tells me the fun is just begun...
After that I took the metro down to the Bastile which I had no idea was located, but I figured once again, the day is young so I will walk until I find it. The day was warm and I had just finished a very much craved Big Mac, now before all the judgment begins all of my American friends must understand one thing.... I HATE McDonald's and do not show any support back in the states. But on this Sunny Sunday afternoon I had an unexplainable craving so I did what I thought I should do while in Paris, I satisfied my craving. And boy was it worth it! So at this point I had completed a Big Mac meal, espresso and Gelato in Montmartre and now I had the odd craving for Sushi!
I returned home that evening after completing a great day out and about, I was talking with my boyfriend when I received an invite by this group on face book I had joined to meet people like myself in Paris. I thought "no one ever just makes random plans back in New York, this is what I have been waiting for...Spontaneity in Paris!". So I jumped on the next metro and met three very interesting people for wine back in the Bastille. One gentlemen of Indian decent but born and raised in Greece, who then studied in London and now lived in Paris! Yes talk about a very confusing accent, then another gentlemen from India who was here on an internship and finally my favorite...a girl named Vilte. Vilte is here on similar a similar exhibition to myself, a writer from LA who was taking a break from life back home. She is Lithuania and just as bubbly and outgoing and most of my friends back home, We immediately hit things off!
Today I sit in my usual cafe in Nanterre and drink the last bit of my delicious cappuccino where I can still taste the bottom of the cups last bit of sugar. The couple in front of me in middle aged and still in love, I can't help but stare; they catch me and simply smile. Everything is different here people enjoy their lunch hour in outdoor cafe's with no rush back to the office; I wonder if they are on a paid hours lunch break. After this I will meet with another American artist here in Paris for my first Parisian photo shoot, she is very talented and so I am very excited.
I miss my family more and more each day but something tells me the fun is just begun...
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Fois Gras!
So another day of utter relaxation, no really I managed to sleep 15 hours for the second day in a row and I can't seem to figure out why! I sit on my porch again reading what has become my best friend Eat Pray Love, It's as if the memoir was written to inspire other writers and an 8:30 bright sky couldn't be any more beautiful. I've decided after last nights dinner treat, I would stay in tonight with some microwavable pasta and just write. The room mates have gone out for dinner and I have the entire place to myself!
By the way what the french call Fois Gras et Sa Confiture is the most exotic treat I have had in a while! At dinner last night with Claire and her husband, two people I befriended while working in non other than Starbucks back in NYC. Well lets just say I will be recommending this dish to everyone I possibly know! It is Duck liver in a butter substance that you smear over toasted bread and top off with Sa Confiture which is a sort of onion jam. Similar to our strawberry preserves! Ugh an absolute heavenly sent meal...
One would think well how can I possibly top, lovely French conversation, wine and food, like that this evening? Well after my writing, I think I may snuggle up with a movie and what seems to be my specialty of... ice cream. As I've been managing to have almost every night before bed
So another day of utter relaxation, no really I managed to sleep 15 hours for the second day in a row and I can't seem to figure out why! I sit on my porch again reading what has become my best friend Eat Pray Love, It's as if the memoir was written to inspire other writers and an 8:30 bright sky couldn't be any more beautiful. I've decided after last nights dinner treat, I would stay in tonight with some microwavable pasta and just write. The room mates have gone out for dinner and I have the entire place to myself!
By the way what the french call Fois Gras et Sa Confiture is the most exotic treat I have had in a while! At dinner last night with Claire and her husband, two people I befriended while working in non other than Starbucks back in NYC. Well lets just say I will be recommending this dish to everyone I possibly know! It is Duck liver in a butter substance that you smear over toasted bread and top off with Sa Confiture which is a sort of onion jam. Similar to our strawberry preserves! Ugh an absolute heavenly sent meal...
One would think well how can I possibly top, lovely French conversation, wine and food, like that this evening? Well after my writing, I think I may snuggle up with a movie and what seems to be my specialty of... ice cream. As I've been managing to have almost every night before bed
Saturday, June 25, 2011
A Breath of Fresh Air
It's unbelievable what an afternoon of what we Americans consider "junk" will do to you. I made my way back home after a satisfying day in Montmartre, I laid down with a cup of Haagan Daz Biscut and caramel creme. Next thing I knew I was falling asleep to the end of Under the Tuscan Sun (I know, ironic) but after that I continued to sleep from 10pm into the next day of 12pm and this was not including dinner. Needless to say the next day, I woke up with the worst case of hunger so I sat down with my fruits and yogurt and decided to take advantage of what I had left of the day to do some writing. Didn't think the cafe was necessary today as I had the whole house to myself and a sunny balcony; Oh and a lot of sleep on my end so coffee wasn't going to be an issue.
I find myself staring a lot though, just into the park, into the cloudy sunny skies. And inhaling the crisp air, it's a lot like spring in New York, only it isn't and it's July here. I'm a bit more used to my July's being fulled with breathless g air where you feel more content with the toxic air conditioned room then you do in a sunny central park. Still here I am and just content with this afternoon being the afternoon, another thing I don't recall ever doing in NYC. And don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore where I come from, but taking a step back to see what beauties lie other places...well it isn't bad either.
Till Next Time...
I find myself staring a lot though, just into the park, into the cloudy sunny skies. And inhaling the crisp air, it's a lot like spring in New York, only it isn't and it's July here. I'm a bit more used to my July's being fulled with breathless g air where you feel more content with the toxic air conditioned room then you do in a sunny central park. Still here I am and just content with this afternoon being the afternoon, another thing I don't recall ever doing in NYC. And don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore where I come from, but taking a step back to see what beauties lie other places...well it isn't bad either.
Till Next Time...
Friday, June 24, 2011
Un Après-midi Dans Montmartre
At the Top Montmartre
Words are never strong enough to describe how much I love this part of town. Picked up a Tutti Fruti at a small bakery down by the metro and the hiked my way up to the top of Sacre de Cour. Sat down and indulge on an amazing fruitful tart. I honestly don't remember the last time I enjoyed a desert this way, staring down at the crowds I then got lost in the group of teenage tourist pouncing at each other with white powder; I would assume this was a game. But life here is so different, powder blowing in the wind at other people and all you can hear is the laughter in every end as people around them watch in entertainment. Still this was not even close to the best part of the day, as I made my way down the steps and into Montmartre I found a small cafe playing salsa. And original PuertoRican sounds at that, even if the service was not speedy I couldn't help sit and write lost in what was going on around me. Young tourist flooding the cafe to break away from their school groups for a shot of what seemed to be their house liquor, The smell of yet another Parisian smoking and still I seemed less and less affected by this. Then my food finally arrived, or shall I say another treat and yes I was indulging yet again. This time with a cappuccino and creme brulee. Honestly, the people on the street were watching because I was eating as if I were alone and I had never felt so satisfied. Maybe it had to do with the ambiance or just my need to do what made me feel good. But I recall siting there for hours just working on my writing.
Words are never strong enough to describe how much I love this part of town. Picked up a Tutti Fruti at a small bakery down by the metro and the hiked my way up to the top of Sacre de Cour. Sat down and indulge on an amazing fruitful tart. I honestly don't remember the last time I enjoyed a desert this way, staring down at the crowds I then got lost in the group of teenage tourist pouncing at each other with white powder; I would assume this was a game. But life here is so different, powder blowing in the wind at other people and all you can hear is the laughter in every end as people around them watch in entertainment. Still this was not even close to the best part of the day, as I made my way down the steps and into Montmartre I found a small cafe playing salsa. And original PuertoRican sounds at that, even if the service was not speedy I couldn't help sit and write lost in what was going on around me. Young tourist flooding the cafe to break away from their school groups for a shot of what seemed to be their house liquor, The smell of yet another Parisian smoking and still I seemed less and less affected by this. Then my food finally arrived, or shall I say another treat and yes I was indulging yet again. This time with a cappuccino and creme brulee. Honestly, the people on the street were watching because I was eating as if I were alone and I had never felt so satisfied. Maybe it had to do with the ambiance or just my need to do what made me feel good. But I recall siting there for hours just working on my writing.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Journey away from the old and into the new
In the attempt to finally start my book, I made the bold decision to move from NYC to Paris, a dream always but now a reality. Shortly after my college graduation this past spring, I packed a few luggage's and made my way to the root of everything.
A year and a half ago I had the most amazing journey around Europe on a backpacking trip, leaving behind confusion, heartache and writers block; I began a trip that ironically would end in Paris. In this exact time I would be sitting in a cafe, writing in my journal and reading the book that would spark my idea.
It was picturesque if you could imagine, small coffee shop in the center of the Latin Quarter, crisp January air and my pen moving at a speed I hadn't seen in so long. I would kiss goodbye my blocked mind and say hello to the idea I had been waiting all along for, this trip. It was in front of me all along, my experiences in Dachau, my romances in Dublin and Barcelona, and a grudging but sweet best friend along the way.
Now college is over and I sit here in a similar but different picturesque setting in Nanterre at a cafe, writing my book...with nothing but the days ahead of me.
A year and a half ago I had the most amazing journey around Europe on a backpacking trip, leaving behind confusion, heartache and writers block; I began a trip that ironically would end in Paris. In this exact time I would be sitting in a cafe, writing in my journal and reading the book that would spark my idea.
It was picturesque if you could imagine, small coffee shop in the center of the Latin Quarter, crisp January air and my pen moving at a speed I hadn't seen in so long. I would kiss goodbye my blocked mind and say hello to the idea I had been waiting all along for, this trip. It was in front of me all along, my experiences in Dachau, my romances in Dublin and Barcelona, and a grudging but sweet best friend along the way.
Now college is over and I sit here in a similar but different picturesque setting in Nanterre at a cafe, writing my book...with nothing but the days ahead of me.
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