and so it begins.

After being in Paris for nearly six weeks, I feel like I more than accomplished my goals (http://byuinparis.blogspot.fr/2014/03/i-want-to-become.html). First, I wanted time alone to soak in the culture. I was hoping to have one moment to myself at a café or park, but to my delight I was able to spend parts of nearly every day with no one but myself. Sure that sounds pretty boring and anti-social. But I absolutely love being free to think without having to make conversation with anyone. (Well, you could actually say I am physically incapable of truly conversing thanks to a language barrier.) But maybe that’s what made it more beautiful. It was a completely new experience for me, being fully on my own to figure out a big city and learn about a new culture and lifestyle. Every day I would bring with me my book or my journal or empty postcards and find a quiet place like a cathedral or park to have alone time. Sometimes I only brought myself to simply take in the sights and sounds. I am grateful for all the opportunities I had to become one with Paris- by myself.

Along with that, I have had some absolutely amazing experiences.  Some of the many things I've done include visit some of the most famous museums in the world along with other not so famous ones, try some of the most famous pastry shops in the world along with other not so famous ones, swing dance to jazz music, see millions of human and animal bones, attend a poetry slam, climb too many stairs, browse many open air markets around the city, walked along the Seine, lounged in bookstores, ran through metro stations, carry baguettes around, eat baguettes, attend opera and symphony performances, gaze at the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals and observe Mass, and truly experience Parisian culture.

As silly as it sounds, I think I can truthfully say I found myself in Paris. Sure it was only six weeks and that’s not much time to make a huge difference, but in the end I do believe I will leave a better person than I began. I don’t think I could say in words what it is about the city that everyone can’t help falling in love with, but I know that I am another who fell under the trap.  And I am going to miss it dearly. Victor Hugo may have put it best when he said, “To study in Paris is to be born in Paris!” I have loved being in Paris, but I am excited to go home and show the world who I've become.