It's Very French

Hello Everyone!!! Oh, what a lazy day for me here in Paris. Does that sound weird? Me, here, in Paris? It's a strange statement for me to wrap my brain around. Anyway, today I woke up late, around 10, since me a few of the other people in the hostel were up late last night discussing the price of alcohol in Australia (2 of the girls are from there – me and the other guy are from the U.S.). I'm telling you, it wasn't a deep conversation, but very entertaining.

It was gray out this morning, but it was yesterday too, and it had cleared off, so I figured the same would happen today. I was banking on sunshine and a perfect day to read in the park by the Eiffel Tower. I was about 20 minutes into my walk when I realized there wasn't going to be any sun but quite possibly some storms. Surprisingly, I was alright with that. It actually made me smile when the wind picked up, because I was walking down this street that is lined with nothing but flower shops, and all the shops bring the most beautiful flowers outside, making the sidewalk a bit like the walking path in a big garden. It smelled so wonderful with the wind stirring everything up, and the shop workers coming outside to water the flowers, it was so picture perfect. I thought about getting my camera out, but I was just really enjoying the walk down this strip of street that I didn't bother.

Ok, so I was at the point of the river where I was across from the Louvre and it started to sprinkle. I knew absolutely there was no way I was going to have a relaxing read the park. Taking it as a sign, I walked across the bridge and made the decision to see the Louvre. As I was walking through the courtyard, I had this French guy come up to me and tell me “You have very beautiful eyes.” Frenchmen. So this guy stayed with me and I couldn't shake him. I never thought the day would come where I'd miss American men, but seriously, the men over here: if you look at them, ask them for directions, sometimes do nothing, you're saying “Marry me.” So we were crossing the courtyard to the Invisible Pyramid (the entrance) and it started pouring. I had my umbrella with me, but I deliberately didn't open it thinking he wouldn't walk with me through the pouring rain. I was so wrong. Finally I told him that I was heading the museum (obviously) and I was currently busy. Naturally his solution was to ask me to dinner. I told him I have family here and I'm having dinner with them tonight. He seemed (like the other guy I talked with) put out, but finally left.

The Louvre: incredibly impressive. The thing is massive. What's funny is the Louvre use to be the home of the royal family a very long time ago. I really don't know who needs that much room, but holy crap, you walk from one end to the next and you have your day's exercise in.

I can't remember the exact number, but I believe the number of pieces of art in the Louvre is something like 35,000. It'd take a person three weeks, looking at each piece for only 10 seconds, to see everything in the whole museum. The art work in the building is amazing. Just like with all the churches and monuments, I find myself looking at these paintings thinking of the artists who made them – did they believe their art would survive this long? Did they ever imagine it would be in one of the world's most renowned museums? And then I think of all the people who've looked at these pictures over the years. Did they see what I saw? Did they feel what I felt? Who were they? Where they rich, poor? Everything about this trip is teaching me how infinite the world is. How far the very fragile connections carry. It's incredible to be apart of that.

I walked around the museum for several hours, and to answer everyone's question, yes, I saw the Mona Lisa. I did not have any great revelation while in front of it, but still cool to see. It looks exactly how every school book and poster have depicted it. It was really hard to get close because thirty or so other people are trying to crowd around it, but I'm glad I saw it, so I can say that I have.

It was interesting, I left the museum and fortunately the rain had cleared a bit, so I just thought I'd walk around (actually looking for the hidden medallions in the Paris streets – no luck yet) when I had this woman approach me, probably in her late 20s early 30s and start talking to me in French. She must have gotten I didn't understand a word and switched to perfect English. Her name was KG, and she's from Canada, and is an artist who recently moved to France to study art some more. She told me she gave herself this project where she asks random people if she can escort them to their destination, just to get a feel for the city and everything in it, and to simply to connect with others. I thought it was really cool so we set off down the road, just looking for a cafe I found I really like, and we talked the entire time there. It was super neat of her – she said she hadn't had much luck with the Parisians (they can be a bit rude) but the people she's managed to escort have all taught her something about life in Paris. We got to my cafe (her rule is to never go inside a place with someone), and we said good-bye. It was cool to have a stranger to talk with for awhile. It made the walk go fast and was an experience all in one.

I ate a really quick lunch, and was feeling really tired (and it looked like it was going to rain again) so I headed back to the hostel. I got there and knew I really wanted a shower and felt really motivated to take one before I took a nap. I don't know how it happened, but my bed tricked me and somehow I woke up on it two hours later without a shower. Hmm. So right now, I am scrubbed clean and made the effort to go up my street a bit and get a chocolat Gelato. The lady in the shop shaped it on the cone like a rose. It was a chocolate rose, and was so yummy.

I know that at least mom is going to groan at this, but there are two things I have to really compliment the French on. First, they take pride in what they do. Their work is neither demeaning or embarrassing. It's their job and they do it to the best of their abilities and take pride in that. Whether it's the guys who are sweeping the sidewalk outside their restaurants in the morning (I see this almost everyday I walk into town) or the host who stands in the doorway of a cafe trying to get people to come in, or the flower shop workers who are watering the plants, they take pride. I think this is something Americans have lost a bit of. People work, but complain about their jobs (even me), there's no satisfaction and I realize now how miserable that makes life.

The second, is the French are so incredibly fashionable. I don't know if they're trying to be, or if maybe I'm looking at them that way because it's what I expect to see, but everyone, men, women, and children, always look fantastic! Even if all they did was roll out of bed, put on yesterday's clothes, and run their fingers through their hair. I don't know how they do it, but even in the rain today, everyone looked so chic. They just got their umbrellas out, and you could tell their demeanor's where, “Yeah, it's raining. I'm French. I'm awesome. I know it. So what?” It's so cool. The only time I feel that put together is after 4 hours of preparation and 12 hours of sleep before hand.

I'm not sure what the great plan is for the weekend. Nothing too exciting I'm sure. I'm hoping I get a day without rain so I can sit outside for a bit somewhere and chill.

That's all for now my American friends. As always, love and miss you!! I like being gone but I love being home and I can't wait for that.