My Parisian experience - Part II

As my stay in Paris is about to come to an end I have started to think about what this city means to me.
Then I remembered that I posted here my thoughts about Paris after 2 weeks in the city and I wanted to kind a go back to them and see where I am today!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Parisian experience
Tomorrow I have been in Paris for 2 weeks already. It just feels like 2 days.

I haven't been much around the city, I haven't been doing much outside AIESEC and I havent meet many people that are not AIESECers. Despite those facts, I'm having the time of my life here.
How can I not?
I'm living in Paris :)

This morning, on my way to the office, I started thinking about my perceptions of Paris.
- it's crowded city
- some places smell like Pee
- there are more homeless people here then I have seen in other cities
- it's so alive 24/7, people are everywhere
- so far it's only rained once ( and then it really rained )
- Random men talking to you on the street "Belle" "Bonjour" "Ca Va" etc.
- When it's sunny outside the city is so pretty
- People read all the time, I really enjoy that
- wine culture is big
- sitting at cafés all hours is generally accepted by the French people
- good coffee
- good bakary food
- beautiful language

So far this is what I'm thinking of Paris.
My first 2 weeks are just the way you would like your first 2 weeks in a new country to be like.
I'm ready for the next 2 weeks :)

- With Love -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I still feel blessed for having had the chance in my life to live in Paris. I love this city and even though my experience here hasn't been as pleasant as I hoped, the city somehow never let me down.

So what comes to my mind when I think about Paris today - almost 7 months later!

- diversity in people, Here you can see people from all over the world and I love that they still dress in traditional ways as they would in their countries. It brings a lot of colors to the crowd.
- amazing bakery products. It's dangerous but so worth it :)
- people kissing, no matter where you are, what's the weather people always show affection and kiss in public.
- Good coffee.
- reading in the metro - it makes me feel less stressed and I love it
- Amazing parks where people gather to enjoy the weather, each other company and see and be seen.
- beautiful buildings. Although I'm not into architecture I love to see beautiful buildings and Paris has enough of them
- lively city - it doesnt matter what time I am walking around there are always people walking along, sitting somewhere and making the city so alive.
- random parking. Paris is over crowded and its hard to find a parking so people park their cars everywhere

These are just few of the first things that came to my mind when I thought about what Paris means to me.
But more than this Paris has another meaning for me as well.
It's the place where I realized how ready I am for the life outside AIESEC.
It's the place where I have shared 7 months of frustration, pain and hurt but still I love the city.
It's the place where I learned how strong I am as an individual and it made my relationship with family and friends stronger as well.
For that I will also remember Paris fondly.

I know I will be back here someday in the future.. for what I'm not sure.. but I love this place too much not to come back!

- with love -