M.I.A.

Mes excuses, mes amis, for being away yet again and potentially another long post on what I’ve been up to over the last couple of weeks, BUT as I like to say, It’s a great sign there is rarely a dull moment here in Paris.

Time is flying by and the weather has finally dropped a few degrees as my favourite season slowly approaches! I can also confirm a sighting of Christmas lights going up on the Champs Elysees… no one panic… but it is happening everyone! Although I’m currently sat here in bed sniffing and coughing, I’m still enjoying and quickly settling into everyday life in Paris.

I thought I would say a word or two about the studying that I HAVE been doing, contrary to popular belief (mum & dad).

I have to admit, despite having studied French at school and university for around 10 years, to some apprehension about studying my course entirely in French. Before even landing in France I had a rather mortifying experience which involved trying to communicate to the hotel receptionist my request for some transport to said hotel from the airport. Only to be told shortly after executing my somewhat rehearsed questions, that she understood none of what I had said and should send an email to explain what I was trying to say. This was a shocking experience to say the least… particularly with one day to go before I left for France. However, like every good story, there is a happy ending and I can confirm that almost two months into my time here at uni I have mustered up the courage to contribute at least three times in class!

Small victories some might say but I am starting to notice the little steps forward as time goes on. It’s sometimes hard to concentrate so hard on what’s been said in a 3-hour lecture but my understanding in classes is also improving week on week. Don’t get me wrong it’s frustrating when you can’t get the words out or miss something that’s said BUT confidence (although cliché) is the most important thing! You know more than you think.  – at least that’s the pep-talk I give myself each morning!

Last week I finally took the shot of all shots in front of le Tour Eiffel.
It’s still surreal to me to know that I can just hop on a train and go there whenever I want whenever the RER decides to run! [see previous post for train tales à Paris] However as much as I love the most well-known places in Paris, I have discovered some places that I think will fast become my personal favourites and that I know my friends would appreciate when the come to visit in a few weeks, as much as being a tour guide for 5 days terrifies me!

One of these was discovered when I took a day trip with my explorer friend (Dora the explorer as I call her) and we ended up in Les Marais. This was such a cute little part of Paris with cobbled streets, rows and rows of al-fresco dining and just a wonderful buzzing atmosphere as the night started to draw in.

We stopped off for a savoury crepe which honestly was a bit disappointing but only because of the questionable combination of fillings I choose.

We then went to the Quai de la Tournelle, in view of the Notre-Dame as the sun set. Typically surrounded by French couples and groups drinking wine on the riverside… making it almost impossible once again to escape these clichés. But I’m not complaining!

Ironically… I spent the majority of Paris Fashion Week eating food! We went to a little unassuming Lebonise restaurant which *fun fact* wasn’t too far from where Kim Kardashian was staying in Paris… perhaps a little unsettling considering she later got robbed.. but less said about that the better.

We then also took home 10 little spheres of joy I like to call macaroons, and I now have a new favourite flavour, caramel!

I also had sushi (in no way French but right next to my university here) properly for the first time.. don’t gasp. Just to top it all off cheese has unfortunately (or fortunately)

become a staple part of my diet… help!

Safe to say I didn’t attend any fashion week events… maybe next year??

So hopefully that’s kind of brought you up to date with me now, although I must admit to losing track of the chronology of things… if that irks you as much as it does me then why not check out my Instagram which is a more accurate timeline of my time in France! (@izziede – shameless plug 😉 )

Shout out to the people that gave me a kick up the bum to keep posting I’m glad there are people enjoying them!

Alors, à bientôt, j’espère ! Bisous ! xx