I forgot how majestic Paris is... everywhere. Just being in the city makes me feel sophisticated; maybe there is something in the air from all the incredible humans who have lived here. Not to mention all the incredible palaces, chateaus, museums, statues, churches that give Paris the right to feel like the cultural, historic, artistic hub that it is.
I am staying with, coincidentally, my French teacher's brother and his wife, in Saint Germain, fifteen miles outside of Paris. A cute town to bike around in, but the real action is in Paris ;) I took the metro 30 minutes into Paris and booked a hostel for that night. One of the most enjoyable ways for me to tour a city (even though I've already been to Paris) is to find some aspect of home to combine it with. First I visited with a missionary family who my church in Woodstock supports; they have been living in Paris since 1981. I'd never really met them at home but having that close connection was significant to me in such a far away place. Even closer of a connection was meeting with Morgan and Charlie, who are both taking a three month program in Paris. We had dinner together and then I had the chance to meet some of their international friends.
I appreciate the fact that I like walking, because as a traveler on somewhat of a budget, it is easier than trains, boats, bikes, and segways (sorry even if I had the money I wouldn't rent one of those...). I also believe it is the best way to see a city because getting lost can lead to unplanned delights, and with so much to process in any given city, walking is the best speed at which to take it all in. Plus, any walking is better than a two mile trudge uphill, carrying fifty extra pounds after an early morning and unpleasant flight. Do I speak from experience? You can answer that.
The next morning, I toured around the Sacre Coeur, a beautiful church at the highest point in Paris: Montmartre. Walking, I found an antiques market with an overwhelming amount of knick knacks, so I bought food instead... and while eating the most creamy delicious eggplant potato meat concoction I've ever tasted, I was reminded of how hard it is to exercise while traveling if it is not high on the priority list.
That off-topic comment aside, I'm excited to return with Gretchen and Ian next month because there is so much in Paris still waiting to be discovered!
The stay with Stephen and Genevieve was relaxing and helpful, kind of like spending a week with your aunt and uncle. Hmm, seems to be a theme while I travel: the most relaxing stays with generous families interlaced and balanced out with, of course, the stress of transportation and being in a foreign place in general.
No, I don't mind it one bit :)
ps I didn't mention going to the Chateau at Chantilly, a well known equestrian village north of Paris. The castle was impressive, intricate, filled with history. I watched a horse demonstration on the secrets behind dressage (in french) which was a nice change in scene from the general castle tours all over Europe.
(pps the title means "forever, please")
