The past week

So this has been my last few days. Hiking, paddle boarding, cow spotting, crosses in the mountains and glorious views.

Wow.

Dear Homesickness, nerves, and loneliness,
I would really appreciate it if you would go away so I can enjoy France. I don't want to cry, but thanks for asking/not asking at all and barging in unwelcome. I heard that if you are kept busy, and have lots of things packed for the day, then it will keep you, your mind, and your heart busy, but the truth is, even if you have the busiest day of your life, but the world around you speaks a whole language you don't understand, you are going to have PLENTY of time to think about home, and idealize it, and think, I wish I was washing dishes right now, even though I hate it, at least it's at HOME.
So I had a pretty busy day, but it was surrounded by Marine and two of her best friends speaking very fast in French to each other, so I had a lot of time to just dwell on everything I miss, over analyze it, and think about ever since I got here, my nerves have been on their toes, and my stomach doesn't want anything to do with this French food nonsense, an I want my culture. I know that I am only saying this because I am tired and pretty lonely, but nonetheless, I still wish I had my mom and dad and brother and KP and Schaan and Peter and Pritten. Then France would be excellent. I'm sure this will pass, it comes in waves.

And then...

And then I took a lot of pictures with a massive nutella jar.

Yum.

Dear America,
Please invent this store.
Love, Kate.

The second day.

On the second day, I had my first French chocolate mousse! Wow! Couldn't believe how perfect it was! Don't worry mom, I'll get the recipe!

I saw la Lourve this day as well. We didn't have enough time to go inside, seeing as it is half the size of Bend. But I got I see the big glass pyramid above ground, and under. This picture is of the underground pyramid. Down in the shopping center part.

KP, I saw this in a store window and immediately thought of you. So many hundreds of ballet shoes! There are a few more pictures in this post for you!

There was this unicorn/perfume shop window. I got a kick out of it. Looovvveee unicorns.

Then there was a little stubby, French Piccolo sitting all alone on a Paris street. Why?

The 6th picture is the ceiling of l'Opera. It is a very high end dance school in the center of Paris. Just beautiful.

As we walked around Paris more, we came across this Tokyo store, with crazy light up stairs. Ah, those Japanese.

The last pic was of a old ballerina costume. I thought it looked like something that belonged in the Moulin Rouge! But whatevs, you know? What do you think KP?

The first day.

Here are some sights I saw on the first day -- the first is of me on a big Parisian tour boat. Sunglasses must be worn to hide how puffy my eyes are from lack of sleep.

The second is a real French fromagerie. What a smell! Certainly cleared my nostrils.

The third, for my mom, are hundreds of red peonies in every window sill of this Paris apartment building. Mom, you told me to look for them. I found them!

The last pic is if a Ferrari. While we were walking about Paris, we watched a movie being filmed, and this Ferrari here was one of the props. I've never been so close to such a great car! I miss my Subaru.

Internet, finally.

Okay, I have so much to say, but this teeny iPod keyboard is just too small. Let me post some pics and tell you little bits about them.

This is my very first French meal, eaten at approximately 35,950 ft in the air.

At the Eiffel Tower!

Wow! I am at la Tour Eiffel!! And I just ate a baguette! And I am testing the wifi here.

Arrival!

After a solid 48 hours of traveling, I have finally arrived in France! I spent my first day in Paris, trying to keep my eyes open all day. I have a different post with pictures on my ipod, but that doesnt have wifi right now. i am typing on a french keyboard, so i will go now.

At the Airport!

I'm just about done with my flight from PDX to Houston, Texas (in fact the plane is at a very odd angle right now and I can't tell if it is way we are flying, or me being dizzy. Anyways, it is 3:30 am in Oregon time, 5:30 here, but my phone hasn't switched yet. I bought some delicious airplane food (slightly stale) and I got to sit by not too horrible people. Although in the last hour of the flight there was a poor child crying, and a disgusting man in front of me yelled at it, saying, "hey! Shut up!!" which, I thought was extremely rude. But, the child stopped crying, and I continued to pretend to be able to sleep. But the truth of the matter is, I've been up for almost 24 hours! Yippee! Anyways, I've got a 8 hour layover here in Houston, which I plan on sleeping through, and then a 10 hour journey to France! Luckily that time I'll have a window seat and it will be easier to sleep. I'll be arriving around 8:30 am in Paris, so I'll get to see France at sunrise! We are now descending, and my thumbs are sore from typing all this on such a tiny iPod keyboard, so au revoir for now. We are experiencing minor turbulence, and the child has begun to cry again! Yay airplanes!!

Occasionally...

Occasionally you will leave for a large vacation and will need to purchase many shoes and light summer dresses for the trip. So you do.

5 Days

In 5 days, I will hop aboard a plane and sail off to a place known as France. I cannot believe it is finally here. Getting all the last things I need for the trip and picking out all the things I already own that I need to bring. I plan on bringing an extra large suitcase, with about 5 pounds of my things from here in it, and returning with 45 pounds of French things so that I hit the 50 pound weight limit for planes without paying extra. At least that is what I know. I just know that I need to bring back a LOT of chocolate. Probably way too much.