christmas

So I guess if you are reading this you are curious as to what I have been up to...
It has been quite a while since I published anything.

I can say so much it is so hard as to where to begin. Things happen everyday that I could easily write a small novel about. This nutshell I am trying to provide, at times, is hard to shrink.

I met my mom and dad in Germany a little over two weeks ago. I barely made it there which is another story. To shrink it...it consisted of me literally running through the metros...jumping onto the RER as the doors slammed shut...not knowing which charles de gaulle stop to get off on...sneaking through the metro doors without paying for my ticket....and finally- making it with ten minutes to spare. Beautiful.
I received a lovely gift of food poisoning a week before my flight which is an entirely different story...but once I was on the plane I began to feel that poison sneaking in my stomach. The flight was a nightmare of pain and it did not help that I was sitting beside a 500 pound man who took up half of my seat.
Once I arrived in Munich I had to find my way into the city somehow. I miraculously was saved by a cute german couple who had just come home from hiking in the islands...they purchased the correct ticket and I followed them to the correct shuttle.
I found my dad at this beautiful rink lit up with christmas lights. It was so special to see my mom and dad.
In Germany- we did a massive walking tour of munich with this amazing tour guide who was one of the funniest people I have met in Europe. It was over three hours of walking but it felt like one. There was so much amazing information it was hard to not be overwhelmed. Germany has SUCH amazing history- and they carry it so well.
The following day we took a train to the "sleeping beauty" castle (neuschwanstein castle). The german countryside is breathtaking and the mountains are excuisite!
Thats one thing..I love travelling by train. Something about it....so,..special. Romantic and peaceful...
We took a horse carriage up the mountain to the castle. It was a fairytale except for the fact that horses are a fear of mine.
We ate bratwurst on the cliff.
We toured the castle with a very strict tour guide who allowed no pictures. We toured with the most typical american man who in quote stated
"i need a red bull..there has got to be a 7/11 around here somewhere..." over and over.

My favorite part about Germany was the feel of it. The personality I guess...Paris has such a dreary and posh persona about it at times. Germany was happy, welcoming you with open arms even if you did not speak the language.
I drank beer in the sun.
I ate the best breakfasts.
I walked up and down marian platz street over and over...feeling as though I was in a dream with all of the amazing christmas lights, people, and history around me.
(I ate a liver ball)

I laughed with my mom and dad about everything.
I could be myself.

Last friday we returned to Paris and I spent four days with them here and became a tour guide.
I don't think I have ever felt so lost in my life the day they left. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and I did not know where to go, do, who I was. Who I am becoming...since I arrived in Paris I have never been to homesick...I think it just all hit me at once when people from my old life suddenly came into my new life.

Everything is back to normal now. It has been a week now since the worst day of my life...and it was a good week.
Christmas is here. It is everywhere. Paris is amazing at christmas. You have to see it to beleive it.
London calling in 18 days.
I wish for snow now.
No more rain.

I am going to go and search the biggest flea market in europe now...beautiful.
I miss you all.....so much. And if I do not write again before Christmas- MERRY CHRISTMAS! and a happy new year.
I'll see you in 2010.
Kiss on both cheeks.

Canadian Girl In Paris.

ROME

If I had to choose just one word for my time in Rome I would choose -adventure-

Rome is a city of layers, an onion. It is beautiful, dirty, and full of graffiti. Rome is full of storys.
Rome is a pop-out book of the past.

The trip started out with me- being typical Laura...loosing it on the plane. The flight attendant was so into the little speach in the beginning about safety on the plane he looked as though he was doing some sort of dance. I of course was the only one laughing on the plane.
He did not look at me after that. Did not offer me anything. All in All...
He hated me.
The first thing I said to someone in Rome was "parlez vous anglais?"

Perfect...i asked someone in french...if they spoke english......in an italian city.

Myself and Casey decided we were hungry once we arrived (for pizza of course...very hard to find in rome...........)
We received a coupon for a discount at this place called "Alfredos." We thought it sounded good, and walked a couple of streets until we saw a sign "Alfredos." We thought it was farther down so we decided this probably was not THE Alfredos...so we continued walking farther down the street.
We approached another restaurant and the waiter tried to make small talk with us to come into the restaurant. We decided to ask him where "Alfredos" was instead.
"Excuse me, can you please tell us where Alfredo's is?"

"Yes," says the very italian man...
"I GO GET HIM..."

and then he leaves into the restaurant....

me and casey stare at eachother and casey immediately chases after him trying to tell him Alfredo's is a place....and not a person.
But it was to late.

He comes out in less than a minute with this crazy italian man in all white...

"THIS..........." he repeats...

"IS ALFREDO!."

it turns out...his boss was named Alfredo.
Perfect.

We continue to tell the two italian man that we are sorry for the confusion but we were looking for a restaurant and not "mr alfredo." Mr. Alfredo looks disgusted and points us in the correct direction....
to make a long story short we ended up eating at mr alfredo's anyway!

The weather was great in Rome. Wore summer dresses and sunglasses the entire time. We bargained everything- and i made a man very happy by offering him my canadian penny i had in my wallet.
Halloween ended up turning into me and a bunch of people we met along the way- dancing to michael jackson the entire night. I did an epic version of bohemian rhapsody for everyone as well.
Vadican city is amazing. The pope was sadly no where to be found however.
The bus system is brutal in Rome. The streets feel as though you are riding an amusement ride they are so bumpy. The bus is over crowded with one-to-many italian men wanting to assist you, meanwhile you are getting shoved into the door.
We got lost on our way to the Trevi fountain at night...ending up off the map of Rome.
The beggers are much scarier.
Paris is a newborn baby compared to the ancient streets of Rome.
Gelato and Pizza fill the streets.
The colessium stands it's ground to be considered the heart.

I love Rome. My coin promised me at the trevi fountain that I would return some day!
I fly to Germany in two weeks to see my mom and dad.
I love Europe.

Paris is wet this days. Damp and dark. November has a much different feel than September and October. I bought the biggest most warm winter jacket today- its funny how I live in Canada and I never once bought a jacket so warm as this one. Complete with fur and everything.
Anyway-
Thats me.
Vous?

bonne journée mon petit amis!
(i think thats right...)

love,
Laura.

The Ones and 2's.

Every

one

is a 2

and the lonely

ones

sit and stare at the hearts above heads.

wondering when theres will come.

this town is a town of 2's.

not made for one's like me.

so i sit and glare and stare-

pretending not to care-

about the rose colored glasses, and the hearts in the air.

Alas,

I glance upon another one,

thinking that his heart could be mine

until i see his 2 come sit beside him-

with their hearts intertwined.

Everyday is an adrenaline rush

Sometimes I feel like I belong no where but here.

At this moment.

And then- other times I feel like gravity has pulled me to an unknown space that I know I should be forbidden to go to.

My heart beats faster here.

Everyday is an adrenaline rush.

Question marks constantly huver over my head. They press upon me until they reach my heart.

The good news is- I have become a map.

I know how to get home from every metro. I know the city now.

Tourists are like bugs to me, they infest this city.

It gives me hope when I can successfully guide a bug to an area. "Parlez vous anglais?" They ask....

if they only knew!

"yes," i say casually. Convincing them I have lived here forever.

If I die here it is because of my bicycle.

I dont think you realize how scary it can be going down a steep hill on a narrow street with parisians not looking twice half the time at a little girl in a black coat, early in the morning.

(It is my first adrenaline rush of the day.)

I belong to a new church now. The American Church of Paris. The first time I went I got tears in my eyes. It was so nice, so releiving- to hear English.
To understand perfectly.
To Feel like you belong.
To remember where you come from.




I fly away to Rome on Friday. Just a "casual weekend get away" haha!...I hope to make a wish at the Trevi Fountain and see the coliseum...drink wine, and walk until my feet hurt. Most of all repeat "when in Rome," again and again.


Yesterday I spent the day at the Louvre. It was amazing, overwhelming, scary, and clostrophobic.


When I stepped outside (back into reality) I felt like I had taken a time machine. I was so used to seeing paintings, sculptures, mummmies, tombs, etc etc...that when I came outside and noticed people were indeed not in 18th century clothing and angels were not falling from the sky- I felt relieved!





I lazed around in Touleries Park, around the fountain in a comfy chair, and listenened in on an english conversation. I let the sun hit my face and sing me to sleep for an hour. When I woke up I was convined I was back in Saskatchewan on the beach with my friends that now seem so far away.


I mett up with a girlfriend later- we decided to grab dinner.


All I wanted was a coke- the waiter asked me if i wanted water to go along with it...


I simply replied yes, (thinking like a Canadian)- water is free.





Not the case.





13 euros later...with a coke and water in my body and nothing els..we left and made our way to the Eiffel Tower light show!





Lastnight...feeling all historic- I decided to watch " The Da Vinci Code."
Very festive I thought, considering my day at the Louvre.




It was the scariest thing I have ever seen....




Now-
I am scared of the Louvre.





Thanks Alot Tom Hanks...





Anyway,


I am full of emotion lately. A different emotion than I usually feel. Its full and yet empty.
What keeps the void broken is knowing I will soon see familiar faces. I cant emagine how great it will feel. Everything has constantly been "new" here.
New city. New family. New friends. New diet. New language.
Being thrown into a new Religion...
What about the old?
Where did the old me go?

I am full of questions but feel like answering none of them.

Tomorrow morning I am taking off to Luxembourg Garden to think.
And write (of course)...I am getting into sketching to.
I planted a plant today, and dug up the garden. I realize now being here that Nature keeps me sane the most. Whenever I feel tangled, messy, and stressed I turn towards parks, and the garden. Nature.
Music.

Goodnight Friends-













love,


laura.

Sunday

A day of leisure

faces smile in the sun.

with heads tilted towards the heat.

Feet tap the pavement slower today

a destination has no time.

The pond glistens the park.

giving a feeling of comfort in the heart of Paris.

Conversations flow naturally

on a sunday.

Pigeons

(almost)

belong on the water with the ducks.

I belong nowhere on a Sunday.

like the wind.

I float aimlessly among the streets

carrying only my thoughts and a pen and paper.

Anything is possible.

Paris Diary's

Paris Diary's
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Monday, October 5, 2009 at 9:26pm Edit Note Delete
Paris Diary's.

It seems like four weeks has turned into four months. I have done so much in one month it is hard to understand how I did it.
I could write forever really...about the things I have seen, done...the people I have mett, all of my struggles etc etc. But I have decided that if you really want to know in more detail about any of these things..just ask. I promised a few of you I would write a summary. So this is my Summary.
I landed in Paris with a sunrise. The twinkle of Paris gave me hope. I stayed up for two days- and recovered with no jet lag. My room is pink here. My sheets are pink, walls, accessories. Quite typical "girl wanting to move to Paris" type room, I love it.
I live on a cloud- st.cloud. Garches to be exact, a suburb outside of Paris. I live ontop of Paris really, you can see the Eiffel tower no problem. I live with a beautiful family. Ilana and I do fashion shows, and dance. Nathan and I play soccer and play tennis. Eva and I look after dolls and learn about the world (colors, shapes, animals). Michelle and Alain are wonderful parents and people who are helping me discover a new life!I ride a shiny red bike to the train station every day. It is downhill the entire way so I do not have pedal once, coming home can be tricky.
I buy flowers alot. Carry them through Paris! I buy big scarves, big boots, big jewelry. My IPod is my best friend on the metro, keeping me away from french men and reality at times when I do not want it.I have mett some amazing girls who keep me laughing and learning! They save me at 4AM from bad men when I get lost...eat creps with me and explore.
Espresso is a must in the morning. Yogurt has become a regular diet...along with bread and vegetables. I am a vegetarian here (almost)...my family does not eat meat.
I can't count how many times I have aimlessly wandered through Paris with no place to go..yet always end up somewhere special.
I have seen mona lisa, notre dame, luxenbourg gardens, st martin canal, bastille, opera garnier, arc de triumph,countless museums, countless restaurants,...sometimes I have to tell myself to slow down for I want to not waste time and do everything!I write in my journal daily...write poetry in the sun and sketch. Inspiration comes from the feeling of this city.
My French is coming slowly. I started classes today. It is taught in French however I have been told that is the best way to learn.

I was thrown into this city deaf.

My eyesight is the only way I survived.
Watching people get on the trains/metros...watching how cards work, how to exit. Observation is key!Walking is essential here. Along with a look of hatrid. Do not smile at anyone you do not know. I must remember that! If you do..it opens up a flood gate of interrogation.
Wine is cheap! Cakes are plenty and espresso is a companion.
Dogs are dirty.
Beggers beg at every street corner.
The rich carry chanel and louis vuitton shopping bags hoping someone notices.
Art flourishes.
Music matters.
Style matters.
Time is your enemy. Wear a watch at all times.

I do not know why I came here. I can not pin point the exact reason. I know I have fallen in love with this strange city which belongs to me now. Even if I fly home to Canada tomorrow I feel like Paris will never leave me. Although it is hard, with a new challenge everyday- I feel I have grown in one month more than I did throughout all of last year.
Paris is Paris. Changes every day.Who knows- tomorrow I could feel entirely different. For now, this is me, my update.For those who know I love them- keep in touch. I love reading about your lives!
We are all still under the same sun, although mine sets much earlier.

Bonne Nuit!
xoxo.Laura.