Ooh La La

Paris is the city of lights, the city of romance, and not the best city in the world to be alone.

Worry not though my friends I have found the cure for my solitary status and it goes something like this:

Crepes Sucre with Grand Marnier

Freshley baked baugettes with Ham and cheese

Fois Gras

Flan

Creme brulee

Salads of Spinache and cheese with garlic

Tartlettes with Fruit

and the list goes on and on and on….

 

This city could have you hooked even if they only served liver, but you add all that wonderfull food on top of it and I don’t know how anyone couldn’t love this place!

Well I only have 12 more hours I better go eat…feel free to come to the airport to help roll me home!

Au Revior

Chameleon

I have become a chameleon. I love playing this game; trying to fit into the city I am wandering around exploring.

In rome in my sundresses and huge sunglasses I was confused as an Italian by Italians several times. Its fun to have people think that you know what your doing.

Today not one but two french people confused me for a Parisian!!!! Since it is very much fall here I had to switch gears to pants, dresses, ballet flats, and scarves, but I managed to pull it off.

Of course, it usually gives it away when I pull out my map-o-Paris and start trying to figure out where I’m  at and where I need to be going, but oh well…one little triumph at a time!

Au Revior

Falling

I’m falling hard.

I have never particullarly wanted to go to Paris. I definately wouldn’t have gone out of my way. I was a stand firm Italy girl; I obsessed over Italy, thought about it, travled all over it.

But I have a new love and it way overshadows any love I had for any Italian city.

As I was walking down the Champs Elysee this afternoon and looking at the Arc de Truiph I found my self lost in a world of peaceful, beautiful people and places. Paris is filled with beautiful buildings and quaint bakeries full of fresh bread and sweet pasteries. This town charms you to your sould, everything is as it should be, even the Parisians are like decorations to their stunning city.

To put it in terms that make sense for both cities its like dieting like crazy to sqeeze into this seasons lastest Escada dress only to realize later that the Channel with pearls was always better anyways.

I don’t know how I missed it, but now that I’ve found this city I’m going to live it up.

Au Reviour

Say what?

I can’t technically speak Italian but I can understand it; I know the words and as long as no one is talking too fast I can get the gist. I can also ask questions and have manners.

French is a whole nother animal. I got nothing. I’m stumbling around like fool trying to figure it out, but it definately isn’t easy!

I should have watch more Madeline…oh well!

Au Reviour

Strangers

I’m beat. 14 hours of train rides and I finally got to Paris.

And of course it couldn’t possibly have gone smoothly…that would be too easy!

First started with the stomach cramps as soon as I got on the first of 5 trains. Let me tell you people that the lavatory in a second class cabin on a midnight train is not a pretty place to be.

Then there was the fact that the sleeper train had no more cabins, so it was the jump seat in the aisle for me.

Then the running up and down stairs with two suitcases looking like a mad woman from lack of sleep (see above)

Now, it might seem like I’m complaining alot, but I actually have a positive point to make. I have been so blessed and touched by the kindness of strangers on this trip.

Every single step of the way there was someone to help me with my bags, let me have a seat, help me find my platform, give up thier seat for me.

A sweet woman watched my bags while I was in the bathroom, three old guys insisted on sitting on one side of the sleeper car so that I could have a whole side to sleep, and countless people went out of thier way to not only point me in the right direction, but also take me there and show me what to do when I got there.

This could have been a nightmare and instead it was just a few bumps in the road. I have been trying to do my part to pass the buck to show people love!

I hope we can use this influence of strangers to spread the love all over!

Au Revior

Voila

I woke up in France this morning!!!!

I am in Paris now, but I’m still figuring out lines of communication so bear with me as I get this figured out.

It is already a beautiful city and I haven’t been anywhere, but the train station. However the people do look like they might turn out to live up to thier reputation as snobs…I’ll keep you updated as much as I can!

En Route

(This was yesterday’s too)

Bonjour!!!

I am En Route to Paris. I hope all goes well as I have a very close train change!

As I have never really though about going to Paris before I have no idea how to do this! I have a ticket and a room and that’s about it…so if anyone has any advice or is bored at work feel free to google Paris and give me some ideas!

(See this is proof that I really am different. The old Kaylie would NEVER have been able to just pack her bags in one day and set off for a town without any schedule or plans!)

Also, as my cousin Jenny has offered to come help me in my misery, I would like to invite anyone else that would like to come join me for three days in Paris!

Thank you all much for your love and support.

Au Revior (yes, I realize yesterday I ended with Hello! Oops!)

God’s Laughter

Attenzionè: This post is not as lighthearted as most of what I write.

There is a saying that goes, ‘If you want to hear God laugh tell Him YOUR plans.’

I had plans. I had Big plans. I always have. I have dreamed of living abroad, living an exciting, adventurous, exotic life.

However plans change…and so do dreams. In the past few months somthing shifted inside of me, but it was uncomfortable so I chose to ingore it. Instead I threw myself into making my lifelong dream come true. I prepared and plotted like no one has ever done before.

God went along with my plans and even encouraged them and now I know why…He needed to show me that I wanted different things now than I did before instead of tell me (cause you know you can’t tell me nothing).

While Italy is still the beautiful and wonderful place it was the summer of 2005, however, living here is no longer what I want. Yes. I did have a bad experience with my family, but that is not really the reason. I knew the second I set foot here that something happened to me that had never happened before in my life:

I was homesick. Seriously homesick. (This is from the girl that was gone for the whole summer and only called home two or three times)

I am coming home.

To those who are dissapointed I sincerely apologize.

To those who said I couldn’t do it I stand here to say that you were right and I am humbled.

I am choking on my pride right now, but I want to thank all of you for your love and support. It would be so easy to stay, to find a different family and settle in, but please understand that I am making the harder decision because I truly believe that it is God’s will.

So now I am laughing with Him. In fact I am laughing all the way to PARIS tommorrow.

 

See you on Friday!

Bonjour!