Paris: The City of Lights!

Paris is more beautiful, amazing, and jam packed than I could have possibly imagined! There is something in the air in this city, almost magical. I know, it sounds cheesy (and to be honest--it sort of is) but Paris has a character all it's own. I stayed at my friend Justin's apartment while he traveled around Europe for his remaining semester abroad. So, now...here I am in a city where I know one person and he is leaving the next day: what am I going to do here? And on top of that, how am I going to adjust to life outside of Russia? The first few days were bizarre for me, not in a bad way, just in a 'ah-I-can't-believe-I'm-not-in-Russia-anymore' sort of way. In essenc: Culture Shock. Luckily, my friend Natasha from O.C. was studying abroad at Oxford and arrived in Paris the same day Justin left to have a weekend away from school. It was so encouraging to have a friend with me for my first couple of days in Paris. I felt bad for her though, because she had to deal with me not knowing how to function exactly in western thinking society again...and I'm pretty sure almost all of my conversations started with: 'In Russia_____.' I hope I wasn't to annoying with my Russia talk...I tried to keep it at bar. Natasha and I went to all the tourist-y spots like the Eiffel Tower, Sacre La Cœur, and the Luxemburg Jardin. But one important thing that we did was go to Hillsong Paris, where I was able to be connected with a bunch of university students and a life group for support for the next two weeks in Paris. I was so grateful to not be alone anymore, although the alone time did give me the ability to connect with God and the city and disconnect with life in Russia--which is more difficult that I would like to admit.

My first Wednesday night, I went to Hillsongs Connect group and met Zoe, and au pair from Australia, and Kate, a university student from Ohio, as well as Adam and Clement and so many others. Kate and I really hit it off and we went to the Louvre and the catacombs together as well as The Mix and some other hot spots in Paris with her friends from school. It was so reviving to have a girls night again, get dressed up and go out and have fun with other Christians. It was the first time in a long time that I was able to build a friendship out of a legitimate connection verses a forced school program. In any case, Kate and I spent almost everyday together and got to know each other very well. Zoe and I, as well, were able to build a good relationship. God really blessed my time Paris, and I was able to see the Champs Elysees, the Andy Warhol exhibit, Musee D'Orsay and so much more. I was truly wonderful trip, and the perfect transition from Russia to Aix. Adam, who works with Hillsong, was so helpful the morning the I left Paris for Aix, he came and helped me with all of my luggage to get to the train station. I don't think I would have been able to do it without his help. God's family--my family--have genuinely been here for me throughout this whole time I have been abroad. Then I got on the train heading towards Aix-en-Provence, and a whole new adventure awaits!