Two weeks before departure.
Paris, the city of lights, the city of love. It's a candle that blazes and rages before the world. For decades the world has looked on it lovingly, sang its praises, written it verses, and wandered through its streets amongst the phantoms and street performers.
I can't remember the first time my eyes fell on a picture of the Eiffel Tower. I was four or five most likely. Probably wearing a shabby t-shirt, denim cutoffs and worn sneakers with glow in the dark laces. But I do remember doing my fourth grade "world's greatest architectural structures," project on it. I got an A. (I'm pretty sure everyone did but I know there was something special about mine.) For whatever reason the idea of one day travelling to Paris has wandered into the aspirations of my youth and remained ever since.
This summer I will finally make the voyage and get to relish in Paris's glamour and history. Two weeks from today I will be on an airplane flying my way to the city of lights and staying there for five weeks. I will get to walk along the Seine and under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower as I study Creative Writing and the French language.
Maybe its the fact that it's getting late or that Paris has been glued to my brain for days but I can't quite articulate my excitement. So I apologize if this post seems scattered or distant. And now I've gone so far as to acknowledge the fact that I'm writing this. I'm typing but I keep missing letters and redoing portions. And it's 10:31 at night. And I'm going to Paris. And it all feels surreal like I'm trapped in one of Salvador Dali's haunted musings. Writing is difficult, I love it but I never quite know how to start even after I've finished. But that, I suppose, is for another time entirely.
Anyways, being excited for Paris has become my new hobby. Right up there with reading and filming. I will say it definitely takes up plenty of time.
My trip is right around the corner and I can feel my wide grin permanently molding to my face. Stay tuned, there's plenty more to say:).
-Aly
