Bonjour! I have finally arrived safe and sound in Paris! This is so fun!

So Air France is my new favorite airline. They neglected to seat anyone next to me, which meant I was able to stretch out and make myself rather comfortable, switching seamlessly from one contorted position to another all night long. I’m afraid however, that I’m getting too old to perform such fancy tricks anymore. I couldn’t help but notice my knees didn’t seem to enjoy the flight as much as my eyes did.

The only dramatic in-flight episode was when I awoke about half way through the trip to the charming sounds of a very loud argument between 2 French sisters and an American woman. My new buddy Jacque, the flight attendant, filled me in on all the dirty details. It seems American woman casually leaned her seat back causing the coke in younger French girl's hand to spill onto her purse dog who was hanging out in a bag on the floor. (Please note, aforementioned dog was yapping, very rudely mind you, throughout the entire flight.) In response, naturally, the French girl decided to DUMP HER SISTER'S COKE ON THE AMERICAN WOMAN'S HEAD. Yes, on her head!! Just to show her who's boss I suppose. I mean seriously! Who does that?? They caused a huge scene, yelling back and forth in French and English until they got a whole bundle of flight attendants to join in the tizzy. It was very exciting/disturbing.

My only other incident of the day was witnessing a theft. Right after I arrived in Charles De Gaulle, I was waiting in line to buy a phone card. The woman in front of me had asked her 8-year-old son to keep an eye on their luggage cart while she finished purchasing their knickknacks. A odd looking fellow completed his purchase, then stepped behind me, sort of shoved me closer to the front of the line as if he was trying to help prevent others from cutting in front of me (I think I might have even offered him a polite “merci”), then suspiciously grabbed something from the woman's cart and quickly disappeared. When the woman turned around, she yelled at her son who had obviously been distracted by the candy aisle and left his post. She looked around and exclaimed, "Where's my camera? Someone stole my camera! It was right there!" To which I went, "ummmm, yeah, I think that man who was in front of you took off with it." Whoops. I am clearly not too quick. I think we should blame it on my 30 hours of traveling half way across the world.

Otherwise, everyone so far has been more than kind; from the flight attendants to the information desk attendants, strangers from the metro, strangers walking down the street and cafe owners. I spent a few hours waiting for my friend at a corner cafe writing in my journal and drinking a 4,20 ∈ bottle of flat water. That’s the last one of those I’ll fall for. Stupid American!

Fortunately Paris has decided to cool off a bit in honor of my arrival and we had a lovely downpour of rain this afternoon, leaving my hair frizzy but brining a much-needed chill to the air. I forgot how much I miss the rain. Except for that one time in LA when it wouldn’t stop raining for weeks and houses started falling off the hills. That was too much.

After hanging out with my friend/host, catching up, get acquainted with my new digs and researching things for me to do while I’m in town, we went out for a quick bite to eat at a little sushi joint across the street. I wouldn’t dare tell them, but I think the sushi in LA is way better.

I am now trying desperately to make myself tired so I can catch a decent night’s sleep. It’s after 2:00am Paris time. I have a beautiful view of the top half of the Eiffel Tower from my window. I took a picture dangling out the window looking down at the street below a little while ago. This is such a cute neighborhood! I can't wait to explore more tomorrow.

Ok. I’m off to bed. I miss everyone already but I feel very lucky to be here!