i am not going to paris

And I can't pretend that I'm not still a little disappointed by this. Well, disappointed is perhaps too strong a word. Dijon is going to be wonderful. I have no doubt that I've chosen the right program. Nonetheless, I still get a little pang when I think about Paris -- studying at La Sorbonne, discovering a favorite cafe, strolling through those old streets and really coming to know that famous city.

I think it wouldn't bother me so much if it weren't for the fact that I've lived my entire life in suburbs, so close to beautiful cities, but never actually in them. I've been a bridge away from San Francisco most of my life and I'm just now starting to understand it, but only barely. I don't really know Seattle at all, sadly. And now there's Paris. It's kind of heart-wrenching because I'm such a city girl, and I would love with all my heart to live in any of these cities.

Well, ok, I am actually going to Paris. For almost a week before school starts. And with three day weekends and a high speed train to encourage me, hopefully I'll take the opportunity to visit more than I do Seattle (which is pretty much never). I fully intend to soak up this time in Paris, and so I've made a list. It's actually my list for France so far, but because I know more about Paris than Dijon right now the former takes up more space. Hopefully as time passes that will change somewhat.

As far as the major tourist attractions go, I have mixed feelings. I've seem them before on my first trip to Paris, but that was ten years ago. (Ten years! Excuse me while I quarter-life-crisis over here.) I've learned so much that would now add to my appreciation of museums and monuments and such. Plus, there are always pictures to be taken. I think I'll mostly just see what happens -- not really make them my top priority, but I mean, really, who goes to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower? It's unavoidable.



Paris
1. Shakespeare and Company. I've been curious about this bookstore since I was introduced to it in Before Sunset. Since then I've heard a lot of interesting stories.
2. Take a walk around Montmartre while listening to the Amelie soundtrack. I mean, it's a dream come true. (All I need complete the picture is a mysterious photo album and a French boy on a moped.)
3. Tour the catacombs.
4. Take a walk around Le Marais.
5. Flea markets! There are dozens of markets in Paris, some that contain an inexhaistble variety and others that specialize in old books, fabric, postcards, or stamps. (Yes, there is an entire market devoted to stamps!) I'm excited to browse them all, especially Les Boutiques Stock, the market of marked-down designer clothes!
6. Open-air markets. Sadly, I don't expect to be doing much cooking while I'm in Paris, but I still want to explore some of the many famous food markets and maybe pretend that I'm shopping for a Julia Child-esque feast at home.
7. Musee d'Orsay. This is the museum that holds the art I've come to learn about and love the most, and so it's the one I most want to revisit.
8. Le Centre Pompidou. I'm not a huge fan of modern art, but I didn't see this one, and I hear it's great.
9. Be adventurous in my eating. I was actually quite dissapointed when my last trip to France ended and I realized I never tried the famous frog legs or escargot. If the opportunity arises this time, I won't pass it up.
10. Finally try some macarons.


Dijon
1. Rent a bike once the weather improves.
2. Ride the bus to the end of the line and go exploring.
3. Wine tasting.