Where have the past 3 months gone? It is 3 months to the day that I boarded the train at St Pancras with my one-way ticket for Paris Gare du Nord, terrified of what I was about to do. How has that gone so fast? So much has changed since I left in September and now I'm coming back to the UK for Christmas it is fair to say I can't wait. While Paris is amazing, beautiful and sexy as hell, it is also loud, smelly and brash and there are always times when I sit at my window, still amazed at the fact I actually live in this crazy city.
Yet, in typical British fashion, there is always something that is not quite right with living abroad. Heading back to London I'm excited to buy fruit and vegetables that don't cost the earth and go mouldy within a day, to not be dodging dog-shit every 5 steps down the street, not to have the constant smell of piss on the metro, to be able to get a coffee or a drink without breaking the bank. I can't wait to see baked beans, cheddar cheese, Nandos, (not that I don't appreciate French food).
And while it is going to be lovely to hear English everywhere once again, and to be able to completely understand everything - not just half of everything, I will miss speaking French, or trying to at least! I apologise to everyone on the tube when I automatically say 'pardon' or 'excuse-moi' over the next few weeks and I'm gonna have brain fudge moments when I forget the English word for something because I am so used to it in French. I know just as I get used to being back it will be time to return Paris and do it all over again. Next term there is going to be the added fun of beginning to tackle my dissertation, which I can't wait to be over already, and I'll have to decide when to leave this wonderful city for good. But before that, I'll have to complete my things to do in Paris list, along with going to Calais with Harley to work with the refugees with Utopia 56 and basically completing my masters. It's a terrifying prospect because come 30th August when my dissertation will be handed in, I'll have to decide what to do next - travelling again or get a real job? So much is going to happen within the next few months and living in Paris going to go by in a flash so here's to making the most of it but also too exciting things to come (once I've tackled these horrible essays that is).
Have a good week my loves!
Lots of Love, Kate xxx
Yet, in typical British fashion, there is always something that is not quite right with living abroad. Heading back to London I'm excited to buy fruit and vegetables that don't cost the earth and go mouldy within a day, to not be dodging dog-shit every 5 steps down the street, not to have the constant smell of piss on the metro, to be able to get a coffee or a drink without breaking the bank. I can't wait to see baked beans, cheddar cheese, Nandos, (not that I don't appreciate French food).
And while it is going to be lovely to hear English everywhere once again, and to be able to completely understand everything - not just half of everything, I will miss speaking French, or trying to at least! I apologise to everyone on the tube when I automatically say 'pardon' or 'excuse-moi' over the next few weeks and I'm gonna have brain fudge moments when I forget the English word for something because I am so used to it in French. I know just as I get used to being back it will be time to return Paris and do it all over again. Next term there is going to be the added fun of beginning to tackle my dissertation, which I can't wait to be over already, and I'll have to decide when to leave this wonderful city for good. But before that, I'll have to complete my things to do in Paris list, along with going to Calais with Harley to work with the refugees with Utopia 56 and basically completing my masters. It's a terrifying prospect because come 30th August when my dissertation will be handed in, I'll have to decide what to do next - travelling again or get a real job? So much is going to happen within the next few months and living in Paris going to go by in a flash so here's to making the most of it but also too exciting things to come (once I've tackled these horrible essays that is).
Have a good week my loves!
Lots of Love, Kate xxx