Here Comes the Sun

Alright, so maybe it hasn't been that sunny in Paris this past week, but it was pretty sunny and warm for a few days, meaning that the weather can only keep improving...right? Anyway, as the weather becomes nicer as we progress into the spring season, so too does my time spent here in Paris. As I think back on all of the tedious orientations that I was forced to sit through that mentioned the ideas of culture shock, I begin to realize more and more how directly I have been following the trends of the concept. While I don't want to go into too much detail of all these steps, I can already check off some of the phases of the culture shock process such as: 1. The Honeymoon Period (usually experienced at the very beginning of the study abroad experience where wide-eyed students marvel at the wonders of their new host country) 2. Crisis/Culture Shock Period (One of the lowest points of the experience where cultural differences take over, inducing feelings of homesickness, helplessness, discontent, etc...as seen already in my blog, woops) 3. Recovery (the period in which I believe I am currently where one begins to bounce back from the depressing and exhausting emotions of the preceding stage, excepts the differences of their host country, and then moves their way towards cultural adaptation). There you have it, while I refused to believe all those facts they gave us at the numerous orientations I attended, it turns out that I am living here and following them in perfect order right down to the "T"...hooray for recovery!

Enjoying some sunshine in Parc Montsouris, right across the street from my dorm

More of Parc Montsouris

So, what's been going on this past week other than cultural nonsense? Well, to be honest, not too much other than the usual routine of class and the never ending exploring of the city. However, I did have a day this past week where I was able to share my new temporary home with some familiar faces from back home that made it to Paris for their spring break! My friend Logan from CofC decided to have a european adventure this spring with her mother where they split the week long break between Paris and Rome, pretty good choices right? Anyway they arrived early in the week when I was luckily able to meet them one day after class to have a good ole CofC reunion, as well as a massive walking tour of the city. I must say that we were a rather productive group of American tourists (yep, I still look like one as I walk around everywhere with my BRIGHT yellow North Face backpack) with visits to Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge, the Champs-Elysées and L'Arc de Triomphe, Le Tour Eiffel, some of the Latin Quarter, and a last minute happy hour in my dorm room. All in all, it was a great day to be able to see some friends from home even for just day, and a treat to be able to show them around the city as a resident with some experience!

Stolen Photo: Outside the Moulin Rouge

Taking a break at the top of Montmartre and enjoying the beautiful sunshine

Naturally.