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<\/p>\nMes excuses, mes amis, for being away yet again and potentially another long post on what I\u2019ve been up to over the last couple of weeks, BUT as I like to say, It\u2019s a great sign there is rarely a dull moment here in Paris.<\/p>\n
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\u2026 but it is happening everyone! Although I\u2019m currently sat here in bed sniffing and coughing, I\u2019m still enjoying and quickly settling into everyday life in Paris.<\/p>\n
I thought I would say a word or two about the studying that I HAVE been doing, contrary to popular belief (mum & dad).<\/p>\n
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!<\/p>\n
Small victories some might say but I am starting to notice the little steps forward as time goes on. It\u2019s sometimes hard to concentrate so hard on what\u2019s been said in a 3-hour lecture but my understanding in classes is also improving week on week. Don\u2019t get me wrong it\u2019s frustrating when you can\u2019t get the words out or miss something that\u2019s said BUT confidence (although clich\u00e9) is the most important thing! You know more than you think. \u00a0\u2013 at least that\u2019s the pep-talk I give myself each morning!<\/p>\n
Last week I finally took the shot of all shots in front of le\u00a0Tour\u00a0Eiffel. 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.<\/p>\n We stopped off for a savoury crepe which honestly was a bit disappointing but only because of the questionable combination of fillings I choose.<\/p>\n Ironically… I spent the majority of Paris Fashion Week eating food! We went\u00a0to a little unassuming Lebonise restaurant which *fun fact* wasn\u2019t too far from where Kim Kardashian was staying in Paris\u2026 perhaps a little unsettling considering she later got robbed.. but less said about that the better.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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\u00a0French but right next to my university here) properly for\u00a0the first time.. don\u2019t gasp. Just to top it all off cheese has unfortunately (or fortunately)<\/p>\n become a staple part of my diet… help!<\/p>\n Safe to say I didn\u2019t attend any fashion week events\u2026 maybe next year??<\/p>\n So hopefully that\u2019s 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 \ud83d\ude09 )<\/p>\n Shout out to the people that gave me a kick up the bum to keep posting I\u2019m glad there are people enjoying them!<\/p>\n Alors, \u00e0 bient\u00f4t, j\u2019esp\u00e8re ! Bisous ! xx<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s still surreal to me to know that I can just hop on a train and go there whenever I want<\/del> whenever the RER decides to run! [see previous post for train tales \u00e0\u00a0Paris] 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!<\/p>\n![\"Processed](\"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2016\/10\/IMG_0175-338x450.jpg\")
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\nWe 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\u2026 making it almost impossible once again to escape these clich\u00e9s. But I\u2019m not complaining!<\/p>\n![\"Processed](\"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2016\/10\/IMG_0587-450x338.jpg\")
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