Tuesday, November 4, 2014

If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane

I am currently sitting in front of Notre Dame. Other than being away from friends, family and food (the three F's, apparently) it never really hits me that I'm living in a foreign country. Even more, it’s surreal to think I'm seeing some of the most famous and beautiful sites in existence. Even literally sitting right here I can't comprehend it. Not only that but I can't believe I came here alone. Like holy shit. I'm in a place where I can't speak the language. I don't totally understand the metro and train systems which are so fast paced and confusing. I don't even have a ticket to get home...so we will see how that plays out later. I will walk around Notre Dame because it's massive. I will then go in search of one of many American bars which are supposed to be in this area. Probably drink, eat then head home. I have some things I actually need to do today.

So I can check getting lost in Paris off my bucket list…JK, it was never freaking on there! But I totally did get lost in the Latin Quarter looking for WOS Bar. After wondering the streets for about an hour and a half I stopped at Starbucks, got a vanilla latte and used their internet. I still had some trouble after that. I figured that I might as well get lost in a place cause how hard cause it be to find a bar that is just off a main stretch of street. Yea, apparently I was far too confident. The streets in France are so different from home and in Paris it is ten times worse. I mean good lord. I finally found the bar. They were playing European football…or soccer as us Americans call it. It was a small bar that I am totally in love with. It appeals to my old soul. They carry so many different liquors and a pretty good selection of beer and cider, and not just French stuff. The bartender was Italian and so nice and helpful. I just told him to make me something good and I ended up with a ginger Moscow mule which was amazing…and four drinks later…I had to attempt to find my way home. I stayed for like the entire soccer game and the bar become more crowded. Quite a few British people were there, which made sense since two British teams were playing. It is interesting to hear all the different accents from all over Europe. The owner of the bar is a huge packers fan. There was tons of packers signs and things all over. As it turns out I love the Latin Quarter. It is younger crowd because there are several schools in the area and it’s just beautiful. Kind of what you would think of when you think Paris. All the pictures in this post are from my time there. There are pics of Notre Dame and the Pantheon and just some streets. I was talking to my dad this morning and I was explaining how no matter what I take pictures of and how it seems, it does not compare to actually being here and seeing it all in person.

I have to say, I am quite proud of myself for conquering the train and metro in France. It is not the easiest thing to navigate, specially after a few ginger Moscow mules...if you catch my drift. I did not really expect the military presence at the train station however. It is a smidgen intimidating to be in another country and watch their military move really slowly throughout a busy train station holding really large weapons. 

Something that I find really interesting is that the French seem to be tourists in Paris as well. There are also a lot of French people in Paris taking pictures and looking at maps, pretty much exactly what I looked like slash try to avoid looking like. I mean I get that not everyone lives in Paris and it’s a large country but I really find it interesting.

I wanted to go to H&M yesterday but because it was Sunday everything was closed. Which sucks. Even a lot of restaurants. A lot of places in France have weird hours, close early random nights. It’s strange. Doctors have strange hours too. Last week I went to the doctor at 7pm at night. Doctors are open late, available on weekends and even come to your house. Going to the doctor was an experience. It is nothing like home. Just a doctor in an office. No receptionist, no frills. Her desk was literally in the exam room…all just one big room. I am crossing my fingers I don’t have to do the doctor again.

This past week I worked full time, 50 hours, 10 hour days with two kids. Exhausting. Totally exhausting. We went to the movies, to an indoor play place, McDonalds twice and we did tons of crafts. It was fun but a lot. I have to work again full time like this but not until April. I have two weeks off at Christmas, and my mom is coming!!! Six weeks after that, another two week vacation which one of my friends is coming to visit!! And the last two week vacation before I leave France, one week will be traveling and working for the family and then another full time week of work.

School starts again for me this week as well. So not looking forward to that. The classes are not the most helpful and since I never have to actually speak French, my skills are so far behind. I am also taking an online class, introduction to international law. I figured I have plenty of free time, I might as well start making use of it in a positive way. I am so sure, however, that I will hate this decision. I always think how much I want to go back to school, then I do, and I want to hang myself. It is exhausting and too much.

I am also making another kinda cool and exciting decision. I will put it on my social media when it happens. I still have to get some deats worked out. So since I didn't post this before I put my news on social media...I shall now discuss it. I am running a half marathon in Paris, France! I am shitting my pants and I am so unbelievably excited. I never thought I would do this. I made the decision over the last few days and I needed to confirm something and I registered this afternoon. I don't know how I will do, but I know ill finish and I will be so proud of myself. I've said before I have a love/hate relationship with running. I love the feel after and I love what it does to my body but I totally hate it, all of it. This is an exciting decision and I have the support of my family and friends. And lets just be honest, is there a better place to run your first ever half marathon than Paris effing France?! I think not. Also, I get a medal and a shirt...and that in and of it's self is worth it. It is also nice to know I have the support of my family here. I talked to my "mom" about it and she got really excited and said...oh we will be there!! I wish my family and friends from home could be here, but, this is a great alternative. I start training, or finally running again next Monday after I finish all my magic knee drugs. Next weekend I will be staying in Paris which means I will be at my new favorite bar watching college football!!! (although I was able to find a place to stream it on my computer live…live meaning 2, 3, 4 in the morning over in these parts) Should be interesting, and fun and I am sure I will have plenty to write about. I still need to post some recipes and I will asap I promise. I miss everyone and I hope my friends and family realize that.

Ps, something that I keep forgetting to write about...my little guy here, E, refuses to call me Sarah, or perhaps can't, I am not actually sure. Instead, he calls me wash. Pronounced rash, with a w. We cannot figure this out, but he is clearly calling me this. Ps again I might have already written about this, so my bad. Hear this story again, it is such a good one...later!

WOS Bar

Also! Here is the video I used to make the scarf in my last post...everyone should try it. Literally takes like 30 minutes once you figure it out. 
Arm Knitting

Unexpected things that happen when you run your first half marathon

Title Quote: Jimmy Buffet 









Notre Dame












View in front of Notre Dame


Street

Pantheon

College/Street

Pantheon

2 comments:

  1. I'm so proud of you! Can I be your official coach and accountability partner?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Um hello! You are def already my coach, please see all social media posts about thanks coach with you tagged. And yes of course! I need it. I have a plan already and I have been reading into some tips, what clothes to wear for cold weather running and looking into some new shoes. I am sure I will be emailing you soon. My meds stop this week for my knee and my plan starts Monday!! Ahh!!!

      Delete