Bonjour from Paris! Last Friday I took a weekend trip to Paris to visit some friends from UChicago who are studying abroad in France! I absolutely loved my time there, even though it felt much too short. I am so envious of the people who get to spend a whole quarter exploring the beautiful city. Starting at Notre Dame and making my way over to the Eiffel Tower, I spent most of my time there walking around. Walking around Paris gave me a great sense of the city and how different it is from London—Paris seems much more relaxed, whereas in London everyone is in a rush to get somewhere. Strolling down the sidewalk along the Seine is worlds away from the hurried pace of Londoners quickly crossing the Thames.
Paris was indescribably beautiful, with the leaves changing color and the picturesque streets—a rainstorm in London had washed away most of our autumn colors, so this was a nice change. Upon returning to London, I felt like I was coming home in a way; I knew the language, I knew how to get around, and most importantly, it was all familiar to me. Before this trip, I still felt like a tourist here in England, stumbling around the Tube and still looking down at the paint on the roads, reminding me to look left before crossing the street. But going away and leaving the place where I’ve been living for six weeks has a way of making you realize how much you’ve grown accustomed to that way of life.
In my other London adventures, I spent plenty of time in various cafes close to my flat, as we had to write our final papers for our second class. During seventh week, we don’t have class, so everyone is embarking on their own adventures around Europe. Many people are going to Ireland and Scotland, others to France, and I am going to Eastern Europe! I’m two thirds done with my time abroad, so onwards to Prague to make the most of it!