June 4th...

Last night i explored Montmare (Martyr's Mound), which used to be a Roman temple that was dedicated to Mercury and Mars. In 8C, Saint Denis, preist Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius were tourtured there. The were brought to the top on the mount to be decapitated. Local legend claims that Saint Denis picked up his gory head and marched on to the area that is now named after him, ST-Denis. There is a statue there of a dude missing a head.

The area is full of tourists during the day. I know this because I can spot my own kind. There are lots of little cafes and what not; stores selling bags that are all covered in Eiffel Towers and other such propaganda. At night though, certain places around the area are very bohemian and full of young parisans. I plan on heading back that way when I feel like going out at night. I really wish I spoke French but I've decided to learn and so in the future, I would really like to come back to study the language.

At the top of Montmartre, there is the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, which was built after the Franco-Prussian war in 1870ish. It's big and it's white and it has an amazing view of the city. I drank in the veiw and a couple beers on the steps. You can drink outside here. It's pretty great.

Today I took the metro to Place de la Concorde. The Obelisk is right there as you come out of the metro, like a huge fallic symbol to the gods. The Obelisk came from the ruins of the temple at Luxor. It was 'given' to France in 1831 by Mohammed Ali. I honestly don't really know what the policitcal situation is/was with France and Egypt; it was never the focus of any of my academic research, but I raise an eyebrow at any thing that European countries had a hand in in the past 500 years. Especially involving Africa.

Regardless, it was 'erected' (lol) in the centre in 1836. The thing is tall, and covered in hieroglphics. Aparently the roseta stone had already been discovered at this time and the French incoporated the inscriptions into the location of the city, meaning the wording specific to the significance of art faces the Louve, politics faces their parliament building, etc. From this magnificent cross roads, you can see the Arc de Triomphe and straight down Champs-Elysees. I wandered from here down to the Louve. I didn't go in, but looked around the outisde. It's really overwhelming.

I kept going and came across this huge old cathedral, which had these super tall ceilings. I couldn't read most of the infromation on it, since I don't speak French. It was definatly gothic type architechture.

I found a Metro and took the 7 all the wall to Tolbiac and walked the 15 minutes to my dorm. I picked up a basket of cherries from a market and a tomato. Apparently you are supposed to get a little sticker for your produce if it isn't packaged, which I didn't know but the lady at the counter showed me and so I will remember next time. Back at my room, I made a cheese and tomato sandwich from the leftover baggette and hunk of swiss I had. Then I took my sandwhich, cherries and books and headed to the park close to Cite University, where I am now. I've been napping and eating and soaking in the sun, which is gentler than Florida, for hours. There is a nice breeze and I've already forgotten what day it is.

I had no idea how dead inside I had become, or how alive I could feel until today.

Today I Got Lost in Paris

I've met this girl, Rachel. And she's pretty awesome so today we decided to get lost on the metro. We ended up in the 18th Arrondissement and discovered gardens that were built on top of the old aqurifer. I have never seen roses so big! And the honey suckle smelled so sweet. It was amazing. I am really feeling at home here. Comfortable, even.

I have a new plan. I am going to live a new place every year. I figure I probably have at least 30 years, so that's thirty places. I either need to be able to work completely remotely. Or else, I need to be able to have a career that is useful to many countries...however, whatever, I'll make it work. Cause I am having SO MUCH FUN. It's only been 3 days and I already don't want to leave.

<3<3<3

ps- Comment with your address and I'll send you a postcard.

New Digs!

Here I am at my dorm and I'm getting all settled in. I love it. A room of my own!The only frustration being that the wifi is a bit shotty, but oh well. I just returned from a trip to the local market where I purchased un baggette, some water, an apple, a hunk of cheese and a very cheap bottle of white wine. Now that I'm all unpacked, I plan on making myself a little sandwich and reading a bit before a group of us from the program all go out to eat at a local pizzaria. There are six others from the class staying in my building and that all seem sweet, but young. Pretty much as I expected, but- well, they are young.

Paris is so much more beautiful than I remembered. And the men are much cuter, too. Not to mention fufilling all appropriate stereotypes but no complaints here. I spent last night wandering around with a guy who spoke even less english than I do, and we would just point to things and say them in our respective languages. I'm beginning to think that being in the country, really is the best way to learn. I feel like a little sponge, soaking everything up so thirstyly.

I am so unbelievably happy.

<3

au revoir!

I remember my first anxiety attack very clearly

I won't go into too many details about all that. You'll have to stay tuned for my memoir. I'll give you this: it involved a Holy Mountain show, boy with a bicycle, a soon to be empty bottle of whiskey and the knowledge that I was in way, way over my head.

That is neither here nor there though, really. It's just that, well, all day I've been having anxiety attacks and that combined with the waves of nausea and intense deja vu of that particular experience are making me absolutely nuts.

Okay. Just thought ya'll should know.

HOLY SHIT.

My stomach just fell into my knees. Like, just right now.


My bags are packed, I'm ready to go but I'm not coming back and I won't be wearing anyone's wedding ring.


That's kind of funny. Actually. Seeing as how the fact that my not getting married was a major catalyst in all of this insanity.


Welcome to my existential crisis.

On that note, last night was the opening for my student show @620. It went so well and I had so much fun and I'm so proud of all of them and saying good-bye was emotional. This afternoon is my going away happy hour at work and tomorrow I'm meeting some friends at Cider House after my last client event. Then I leave.

Weird. That stomach thing just happened again.

I don't know what it is. Maybe when things end, you think about how they began. At least I think I saw that in a movie or something.

Maybe it's the realization that everything I hated about him was pieces of myself. Well, love is just narcissism anyways, so I guess it makes sense that hate would be too. There's a thin line I guess. Or at least I think I saw that in a movie or something.

Regardless, life is good. No complaints here. So far. And so what if I loved him and he never felt the same. So what if I wear stupid shoes and talk too much and should work out more and have a lot to learn about life and all of that. Because I'm not willing to settle and at least I'm armed with that.

Now if only I could sell my damned car.

nelly-pamalita-barcalona

Slight change of plans- my lovely, intellengent and soon-to-be wordly friend Nell is meeting me in Barcalona at the end of July. So, I've decided to amend my route as follows:
Paris->Florence->Tuscan Countryside (omg! vineyards! olive groves! I mean, have you seen Stealing Beauty?! You should.)->Rome->Barcalona

Yeah. I guess you could say i'm pretty excited.

Hey Ya'll.

Anyone wanna buy a 2003 Ford Focus? I'll throw in that half empty bottle of Early Times in the trunk at no extra charge.

Also, who wants to loan me $60 grand for school? Promise i'll pay you back...

I may actually be getting stressed out about this. 25 days till blast off.