The Paris Walking Tour Workout Plan

(This is really August 23^rd)

Bonjour, mes amis! Je me trouve déjà a la salle publique dans mon foyer. (I again find myself in the common room of my foyer). I like that I’ve been able to come back to the foyer and have time to relax after a really long day. All I want to do is write in my journal and for my blog. I do so much during the days that each day feels like it’s a week long. I think it’s because we walk so many palces in the city, too, that it feels like time is speeding by. It’s only my third day in Paris but it feels like it’s been weeks. Today was no exception:

Emily and I woke up earlier that yesterday so we could leave early for our run. Inspired by last night’s stroll by the Seine, we decided to return and run along the river this morning. I think the second day of exercising and working out is the hardest on the body. Man, did my body hurt today. Our journey to the river in the morning was a lovely walk. It was early enough that the city was quiet and almost vacant along the route, but since it’s also Sunday, not many people were to be seen on the streets. It was quiet with a cool breeze—in other words, perfect. And forget it—the architecture can’t be matched. It’s the definition of “olds meets new” with beautiful, aged buildings that house internet cafes with neon signs et des autre choses comme ca. The windows of the apartments have white shutters and are often open, with small wrought iron balconies and flower boxes teeming with beautiful flowers. I can always find someone leaning out their window to take in the scenes from the street. Why don’t people do that anymore in the US? Why don’t people just slow down and take some time to drink a moment in? I really do admire that about the French. They don’t rush around like we have a tendency to do in the States.

On our way back from our run, we ran into (ha ha) Max, John, and Michelle! It was pure coincidence that we saw them. John’s staying in our foyer so we’ve seen him a couple times, but it was the first time that Emily and I saw Michelle and Max. How wonderful! Without internet or phone, we weren’t sure when we’d be able to see them. Actually, we still haven’t seen Kat and Natalia, who are in another foyer close by. We made plans to meet up with Michelle later, after we finished our exercise and whatnot. Here’s one thing I learned about France: Everything is closed on Sundays. It’s bad enough that it’s August and literally 80% of people in France leave for vacation, but there was almost nothing open. Most cafes and bakeries were closed, as well as all pharmacies and markets. Can you imagine a CVS being closed on a Sunday? I was really astounded at first—what do you do if you desperately need something from the pharmacy? It’s interesting to see the differences in culture when it comes to that.

Emily, Michelle and I walked around a park but came back to my foyer when it was just too hot outside. We all relaxed and it was so nice to catch up. We’d been really good abut speaking French up until then, but when it was just us girls, we just went ahead and spoke English so we could get up to date on the details of each others’ lives. We walked around a new area of Paris, the Marais district (3^rd and 4^th arrondisments). It was so fun and lively! Even for a Sunday night. There were so many stores, so I think we’re going to come back tomorrow so we can actually do some shopping. J We ate out at a café and befriended a nice old man at the table next to us. He spoke French with us and we came out of our shells a little more with him. He was animated and so nice and helpful with us. I’m pretty sure the waiters were making fun of us for being American until they found out we could speak French and were studying in Paris. I think that was the last time I could eat out. Our foyer will start feeding us in September so until then, we’re on our own. That means that tonight was the last night I had to gorge myself on dessert—again I had ice cream AND a nutella crepe. No more! I think it’s natural to go a little crazy in the beginning, n’est pas? That’s about all for today and tonight. I have to buy a new hairdryer because the voltage is too strong with the converter and when it was plugged in for just two seconds, it started to smell like it was burning. I was afraid it was going to blow up, so I’ll just buy a new one. Time to add it to the shopping list! A demain!