Fast forward like 7 or 8 hours: I just woke up from a very deep 3-hour nap at Heather’s house. I arrived in Paris, got my suitcase and got into a taxi. I passed out during the 50-minute ride and was then relieved of 75 Euros by the taxi driver (who I think cheated me by driving around extra). I found Heather’s address, managed to get inside when a lady left and then managed to get inside the next locked door when another lady left. Then I dragged my suitcase up 6 flights of stairs with no idea whatsoever where the apartment was. I discovered that my French is not nearly as good as I thought it was, since nearly nobody could understand me when I tried to ask if they knew where she lived. Finally, when I was just about to have a jetlag- and low blood sugar-induced meltdown, Heather and her son Joji came through the door.
Now I’ve woken up and the adorable little apartment is empty, it’s 8 in the evening and I probably won’t be able to sleep through the night. It’s raining outside and I’ve just realized that I didn’t bring any proper rain gear… oops.
As far as pre-expectations, I was thinking Paris would be Romantic, with a capital R, beautiful, blossoming in springtime and welcoming for me. So far, I’ve been sort of free-balling it and I am very intimidated by Paris. I feel alone and like I don’t know what to do – tonight, tomorrow, or every day after that. Hopefully it will all come together, but right now I really feel like coming to Paris with no real plan and the expectation that “everything would work out” and “it would be incredible” was stupid and naïve. I have no art supplies and, in all honesty, no idea how to really paint. Maybe tomorrow I’ll just adventure around and sketch beautiful things. This is a beautiful, picturesque old neighborhood.
Hey India!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog; I set out on my first alone travels when I was 17 as well. I went to Thailand for a couple weeks then 6months in India! I learned so much about myself and the world that year; this experience is going to change your life! One piece of advice that I have for you that I wish I had before I left and your post made me think of it. Creepy men of evey age- I had an 80 year old man try and jump on top of me; will be looking to molest you when you least expect it. Trick is to be aggresive and strong; which it sounds like you do not have trouble being. Don't worry about being rude; someone being slimey and taking advantage of your obviously sweet soul is the rude one. Good luck and have fun little lady!
XXOOmikaela