I just came back from a great, much needed run this run. I know that no matter what continent or timezone I may be on, a good run will always be the best way to end the week. Today was absolutely gorgeous- perfect (Carolina) crisp blue skies, and the mountains were in full view today. It has been cloudy and a little on the dreary side this week, so it was refreshing to have a sunny day. I had a lovely afternoon with Abbie and Ali, two of my API friends. We met up for lunch and went to a panini/sandwich place- I swear, the sandwiches are soo filling here. I had a veggie and chees sandwich on baguette, and it was delicious. My favorite sandwich though is called the Parisien and it is ham and butter on a baguette. Healthy choice of the year, I know. After our satisfying sandwiches, we went in search of dessert. We went to a little place Ali and I found a couple weeks ago. Its called Noir Foret, and it is a little shop of just desserts. It is a teeny slice of heaven here on Earth. I had a chocoalte eclaire this time, the last time was a vanilla eclair. Both I must say are far more delicious than any kiss i have ever had. The cream was light and fluffy, and just spilled out of the pastry when I cut into it. It was chocoately without being overly rich,and the lightness of the cream mixed with the crunchy of the pastry made for fireworks in my mouth. I have always been a lover of food, but that love is just deepening to a whole new level here in Europe. Whenever people ask what is the best part of my experience, food is my first choice reply. I love to eat, and luckily so do my friends. Life is too short to not thoroughly enjoy a pastry on Friday afternoon. There are many uncertainties about study abroad- but one of them is that Italy will be the BEST four days of my life. Those days will be spent consuming pasta, bread, gelato, pizza, wine, repeat. Sure, Il probably put on a couple pounds. But you know what? I have my entire life to count calories and watch carbs. I am only a student in Europe once. I was thinking about this fact while on my run today, and I was a little saddened knowing that I will never experience France the same way again. Even if I do return, it will be different. I will have new experiences between now and then that will shape my mentality, I will be with different people, and be here for a different purpose. So what I experience now can never ever be replicated, and there is something sad and beautiful about this.
Last week, I went to Switzerland, and it was gorgeous. I had a great time there. The lakes and rivers are gorgeous, they are a dark turqouise color. The water in the lake was almost perfectly clear. As for Geneva, it was fun, but probably not somewhere I would want to return. Seeing the UN was really awesome, but otherwise, Geneva was just a city where people work. I felt like it was the equivalent of visting Atlanta- big city, a few things to see, but not overall that interesting. However, I am planning a weekend trip to London in March, and I am super pumped about that! England is definately somewhere I have always wanted to visit, and so while I have the chance to do so fairly cheaply, I might as well!
This weekend I plan to keep it chill and have a low profile by climbing the Bastille with Ali and possibly museum visiting in the afternoon. Tomorrow evening and Sunday I would like to catch up on some reading and journaling, and just relax. Hopefully the weather will be nice, and I can sit in the park for a bit.
No comments:
Post a Comment