Getting lost in Paris

A canal in Paris

To most people getting lost is an unsettling or even terrifying thought. I, however, have discovered the wonders of being lost, especially in a city such as Paris! Usually I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do for the day, but in reality, my day rarely goes according to plan. Sometimes it's because I've missed my train, or worse yet, a station, or two... maybe three. Other times it's because I just could not contain my curiosity.

When I see an interesting train station name, hear a street musician from afar or find a charming street, any plans for the day go flying out the window. I follow my eyes and my ears. I love to discover places and sights that you would not find in a tourist guidebook. Getting lost in a city is your chance to forget about the tourist attractions and to just lose yourself in the daily lives and culture of the people who stay there.

I met a friend for lunch in Paris and afterwards we went for a walk along this canal. It was a warm and sunny day and everybody was outside soaking up the sunshine. We bought a treat at a bakery nearby and had a picnic next to the canal. In my opinion the French know how to really relax. Everyday they will take a complete break from the hustle and bustle of their working lives to enjoy a good meal with friends or colleagues before tackling the rest of the day.

I've spent a rainy afternoon at a book store, reading a spy novel with a view of the Notre Dame and chatting from time-to-time with fellow shelter-seekers. One evening, while I was on my way home, I heard someone playing the most beautiful piano piece. In Paris, most of the big train stations have pianos that are available to the public for playing. The music filled the whole station. Even though it was getting late, I found a bench and settled down for a wonderful (and free) piano concert.

A tiny garden in the middle of the Seine

There is always another metro or bus station around the corner. That means that after a long day of gallivanting in the streets of this beautiful and culturally rich city, I can simply walk down the steps into a station, hop on a train and make my way home to a steaming cup of coffee and something delicious from my favourite bakery.

A street musician playing next to the Seine

Paris is filled with gardens, museums, quaint streets, amazing views, coffee shops and restaurants, all waiting to be found and enjoyed. I never know what I might find next, and so getting lost has become just another part of the journey.

There are beautiful parks and gardens scattered all around the city

Je suis une Savinienne

Today I have officially been living in Savigny-sur-Orge, France for two months! So much has happened in these last two months and yet it still feels surreal. When I first heard that I would be going to France for 8 months, I didn't believe that the day would actually come when I packed my bags, boarded a plane and flew into a new chapter of my life. Every now and then I still expect the alarm clock to start ringing and then to realise that it was all a dream.

Autumn leaves

The people living in Savigny-sur-Orge are sometimes referred to as Saviniens (for the guys) and Saviniennes (for the girls). The phrase "Je suis une Savinienne" means: I am a Savinienne, and it is this phrase that has made it all so very real. I came to this conclusion on the same day that somebody asked me where they could find a bank in Savigny-sur-Orge.

A street in Savigny-sur-Orge

Now to most people this is an uninteresting question, but to me it meant that I did not have the word "Tourist" or "Foreigner" scribbled in a confused frown on my forehead. This meant that I looked like one of the people that I walked past every day in the streets of this little, unknown suburb of Paris. It meant that, for now, Savigny-sur-Orge is where I belong!

So, this blog is to share some of the beautiful, strange, embarrassing and unique experiences that I have had and will have during my stay in Europe (Oh, and of course... the photos!). I have been given this amazing opportunity to learn about the French culture and language, to get to know new people from across the globe and most importantly to get to know myself and the plan God has for me.

I must admit that I am excited, and a little scared, but it's outside our comfort zones that the adventure of life awaits! So, here goes!

View from Arc de Triomphe, Paris

From the top of one of the tallest buildings in Paris, the Tour Montparnasse