Of France & Letting go

    We left Norway early on a Friday morning, saying goodbye to our sweet host family and the beautiful places we fell in love with. Our flight to France was heading out around 8am. After checking our backpacks in, we found a spot on the floor near our gate (the floor was generally our go-to since flights were so full!).

     Again, I have to paint reality: while we sat on that floor, we were purchasing luggage for our remaining flights in Europe because when we began the journey, we found out (too late) that luggage requirements had changed. Our backpacks would have to be checked on every flight (over $200 unexpected expense). Using the word "discouraged" to describe how we felt may fall a little short. 

    Of course, when we left the U.S., I had this perfectly ordered doc. with our budget, flight times, and other details. I knew there would be unexpected bumps in the road and I had factored some into our tight budget, but that was gone within the first week and a half. As expenses kept rolling in, I felt anxiety increasing as the decision-maker, older sister, and planner of the trip. It was extremely humbling, to say the least! 

And that's how we went to Paris: stuck between a rock and a hard place. In other words, poor--with many more dollar signs ahead! 

   At some point, we let go. The beauty and rich culture of Paris won us over. As our encouraging family kept reminding us, the trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be cherished. Twenty years from now, we will recall the monuments, country-side, and people. The money problems will have gained their perspective, and we'll laugh over the countless bowls of oatmeal and muesli we consumed to save money. Money-saving note: go to Europe in the fall. There always seems to be a park apple tree, or boulevard plum tree to climb for free fruit. ;) 

                               
                                         We found the chocolate shop, of course!

                               
                                               

   Paris unfolded before us as our dear friend, past exchange-student, and Parisian, Felicie, walked us through nearly all of Paris' curvy, narrow streets in the 4 days we spent in France. There are too many names to remember (besides the fact that I can't speak or write in French!) One thing stands out in my mind: everywhere we looked, there always seemed to be the faithful 6-story apartment building to home all the focused, quick, beauty-seeking French. They were the friendly, smiling kind of people, and the city began to feel a tiny bit romantic and magical, as everyone always says. 

France: September 15-19

Small note: The first couple of days in Paris were hard, but Amanda was my steady one. Of course, she had her moments of being overwhelmed, but she often brought the perspective I so desperately needed to hear. She seemed to always take my "bad news" with a calmness and flexibility that inspired me and made me even more thankful to call her my sister and favorite traveling buddy. <3 Love you, Mand!