It’s raining in Paris. Actually, it’s been quite dreary since I arrived. I’m not really complaining since I’d much rather have cool rain than scorching heat, though I haven’t done quite as much exploring on foot as I would otherwise. The city is very beautiful and a kind of interesting comparison to London as they’re both very unique cities. There’s a bit more style here, a bit more attitude. It has a slightly grungier aesthetic in regard to the buildings and streets, but nothing overly notable. I enjoy the lack of giant grocery stores and the availability of bakeries/butcher shops/cafés/etc every few feet. The food is definitely very fresh and much less prepackaged. I’ve been living mainly on bread, cheese, wine and fruit for the past couple of days.

I think I learned more French in the first couple days here than I did in several years of school. The city is fairly walkable and the Metro is easy to get around in, perhaps only slightly less so than London’s. The Louvre was a definite highlight. Trés magnifique! I’m heading back there today to see a bit more. I’ll be heading to Spain in a few days (either Madrid or Barcelona, I can’t remember which one first–I’ve been too busy with Paris). I’ll see if I can muddle through some Spanish. It’s my birthday soon and I kind of feel like I should do something though I’m really not sure what. I’ll probably end up wandering through the streets until I decide to head in.

Hostelling is interesting; the hostels vary considerably and it’s strange having neither privacy nor companionship, though you still meet nice people now and then.

I’ll have to keep this short, partly due to the bane of my existence: french keyboards. That anyone would employ the use of a different style of keyboard than the one I happen to be familiar with is unconscionable! Well, maybe not….but it takes forever to type anything and my internet access is limited.

It’s 3am. I’m staying up all night to catch a train to Paris (Not quite as romantic as it sounds, but it’s still pretty cool in principle) as I didn’t want to disturb this evening’s roommates. The tube shuts down at midnight, so I’ll need to wander through buses to get to the station. I still don’t know how to use Paris public transit, but I’m sure it will be easy enough once I’m there. After a week of running around frantically through London, I’m hoping to be able to have more of a laid-back experience for the next few days. I will look forward to sleep…and also Paris. Let me know if there are any recommendations for getting around, etc. Also let me know if there is any wackiness happening.

The trek to my London hostel seemed a bit of a marathon, but all went well. Due to lack of internet access, you’ll have to settle for messages scrawled frantically on a public computer. London is quite absosmurfly amazing. Amazing…and very very expensive. I’ve spent the last couple of days walking just about non-stop. I went around and took in a great deal of the obligatory landmarks and so on. Westminster Abbey is particularly wonderful. Earlier today, I went up in the London Eye, ate lunch in park and headed to a performance of Blood Brothers. I must say, my version was put to shame. I’m thinking about heading out to the Camden markets tomorrow. It’s very interesting seeing the city transform, somewhat dramatically, throughout the day: mid-afternoon comings-and-goings, the mayhem that ensues when everyone gets off work, and the late evening energy. Much of the city is very refreshing–the diversity and history and existence of culture. It gives the appearance of being very organized and orderly. I’m always being watched and being reminded of being watched. There are always voices telling me to do things (no, not those voices–other people hear them too). I’m not certain yet whether the order is merely an illusion. Getting around can be a bit difficult — the tube is very easy to use, but I find the streets confusing. I enjoy the politeness of the city officials, though I find the general London attitude to be a bit peculiar — something I can’t quite put my finger on yet. I hope you’re doing well in your various endeavours and such. I may need new feet when I return.