Ah Beautiful Parie

So I finally saw Paris. And everything good and beautiful you have heard about it is true. When I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time my heart literally slowed. It was how I imagine it is when you meet your true love. Honestly, Paris may be my true love. The Dubarrys and I drove around and saw Printemps and the Galerie Lafeyette; the Champs Elysees; the Grand Palais (where they were having a Tony Hawk exhibit; hehe) and so on. Then we went to a Lebanese market and purchased some exhotic foods and spices.

The food here is incredible. I was worried becuase what I knew of French cuisine is that it was butter, butter, butter and cream and cheese, none of which agrees with my stomach. But the French cuisine is really about simplicity and moderation. The french enjoy food for how it tastes and do not like to confuse the palette with too many spices or too many options. I've had things like mussels, smoked salmon on bread with creme fraiche, and today I had my first French pizza. We went to a restaruant where a man made individual delicious pizzas. Mine had anchovies on it! I had never had anchovies, and honestly I didn't love them. Too salty. But the rest of the pizza was wonderful. The waiter chose our wine which was grand; in the French way, which means a big wine. So very full and rich and red. I think one of my favorite thinge is wine all day long!

The waiter could tell I didn't speak the language and kindly switched to English only to encourage me to not waste time and practice speaking French. The people here are very kind. I do think Americans do not fall into the prettiest stereothype (thank you George Bush), but they are happy when we come over, not as a tourist, but to learn the language and culture. They are happy to help any willing students learn how things should be done. So far I wholeheartedly agree with the French and am a grateful student.

PS: I will have pictures, we are having trouble getting my computer hooked up to the internet. So please be patient and thank you for the comments; its good to here from you all!