Today was a dream. I’m in Paris! I started studying French almost 7 years ago now, and I forever had it in my mind that I would one day be living here – in this city, and the day has finally arrived. I probably annoyed my host by saying so many times how it was truly a dream come true for me. I still can’t believe it.

I probably walked more than half the city today. My legs and feet are killing me after 3 full days of walking. But I can’t complain! One can only eat so much cheese without making any physical movements…

Today was very long in fact. Imagine this scenario trying to board the train:  Sasha + 1 very large suitcase weighing over 50 lbs + 1 smaller suitcase weighing about 30 lbs + 1 full backpack + one purse = disaster. I had to take the train from Geneva to Paris this afternoon and luckily I was far enough outside of Paris where the commonfolk are kind enough to offer their assistance when they see someone in need. I was sweaty and disgusting when I sat down on the train finally, definitely not in the mood to make small talk with my seatmate. Apparently, I wasn’t the only struggling today, because my seatmate, a girl just about my age, had a bag that could definitely fit us both inside of it. We ended up talking the entire time and watched a movie on my computer and exchanged numbers before departing. +1 new French friend for Sash.

I have a few thoughts that I’ve concluded the past week or so: I think it’s cool how in France there doesn’t seem to be a mold that people my age usually find. For instance, one of Roxane’s friends from l’uni actually had a whole college experience in the US. He did all his studies in accounting and finance at Northeastern. Then he returned to Geneva after graduating, and is now studying to be a doctor. He’s 25. Then the girl I met on the train went abroad for 6 months a few years back and is now doing an internship in Paris. It just seems as if everyone moves at their own speed and there isn’t a stigma if you don’t do things they way they “are supposed to be done:” graduate high school, go to college, get an internship, graduate college, start a career. I just hate that people feel like that’s how it’s supposed to be. What if I want to have 3 different careers? Go to cooking school? Live in San Francisco, New York, and Paris? Have a family? It seems impossible in my mind, but for the French, anything is possible. C’est la vie! – as I have learned.

Lauren and I were watching Ratatouille the day before I left for France so I would get “in the zone” and the other day when I was walking around the big fair of Thonon with Claire, I kept saying, “tomme de chevre de paix!” like Remi does in the movie – for those of you who have seen it you may not even know what I’m talking about. But then it was funny, because all of a sudden we came upon a cheese vendor and there it was – the tomme de chevre! And it was oh so good. We ended up having a wine and cheese night for our last night which we spent in Geneva so I would be close to the train in the morning. It was a great last evening, very quiet, but SO much good local cheese we bought at the market. Happy girl over here.

Tomorrow I look for a French phone, hang out with a fellow Islander (!!), and then go to a little soiree with my French host, who just so happened to save my life today by picking me up at the train station and hosting me for the weekend.

A photo to leave you with, feel free to be jealous:

Gros bisous.

Tetes a Claques – We were discussing funny accents the other night at dinner, and the Tournier’s (Claire) family showed me this. We could all hardly keep from peeing our pants it was so funny. The only part is the whole thing is in French (the subtitles) so if you don’t know French… well then, you’re screwed. But it’s this funny TV show that over emphasizes the Canadian-Quebecois Francais and it’s absolutely hysterical. Watch if you want!

Here is also a preview from the past few days. Click to link to photo stream: