Observations

I am in Paris, France.  Never, ever in my life would I have imagined coming here and I am very glad to be here.  I have amazing friends.  Kurt and I went to college together, he met a French woman named Esther (also at school) and has been living in France for the past three years.  They are taking care of me in ways beyond generous.  Am very blessed indeed.  It is good to take things in small steps.  y French language command is next to zero (on the negative side) and I am just starting to learn to be brave again so being with them is very good.

Observations thus far:

1. People are people.  surprise i know!  But really, everywhere, I think, people just want to love, be loved, belong, and be of use.  It’s been nice to see the effiel tour, notre dame, etc. but the best things have been to just chill.  today we went down to the park and watched kids play and ate cheese and bread.  i’m not a good tourist.  seeing buildings and things are nice, but really i’d much rather be building with someone or walking with someone than with buildings.

2. People are much more fit here.  I have not seen any super obese people here.  I guess in the suburbs there are more because people drive a lot more.  but here, no super obese people.

3. There are not bugs here like in MI/WI.  the windows don’t have screens and i have yet to be bit by anything (knock on wood)

4. They really don’t have peanut butter or peanut butter m & ms.  lots of other amazing amzing foods, but no peanut butter

5. The weather stays pretty even.  No huge changes in temp like in WI.  it’s nice to not have to carry your winter coat for the evening.

6. They have different styled electric plugs.  So if you visit, either bring an adaptor or buy one.  AND the exchange rate is less if you use an ATM than if you exchange cash money.

7. There are a lot of protection measures here.  The price of bread.  No work on Sundays.  No sales except for two months out of the year-so that small businesses can compete.

8. Air condition does not mean frigid refrigerter temp.  In fact, most places do not have AC and neither to the metros and it’s again-really nice not to have to bring a sweater to go in doors.

9. Did I mention that I’m thankful for friends?  Both here and y’all.  Very thankful for friends.

The end.