Despite my best efforts to involve myself in Digne and in France in general (joining the gym and taking fitness classes there, going to the market and chatting up vendors, getting a drink at the local bar, speaking French over dinner with my favorite professor), I have to be honest--I spend my entire life waiting for the weekend. I have wonderful adventures, even if it's just a weekend in Aix, which has become my second home after three consecutive weekends there (thanks Lauren!). I have some friends, which is nice, but I can only really see them on the weekend. Alas, in the least sad way possible (not fishing for sympathy, just tryna express myself, so if you are feeling sorry for me then just RELAX): I have never known this loneliness. Freshman year of college is probably the only other stereotypically insecure and vulnerable period I can think of, and I had the most amazing person in the world by my side, so even in the dead of a Michigan winter, I couldn't really complain.
Anyway.
I had a tough couple of weeks last month, so I feel like up is the only place to go from here. Could have been a post-vacay dip. Speaking of that vacation, let me finally get some pictures up from the rest of it (Milan, Krakow, Paris). Milan was eh; when I went as a young girl, I was not particularly impressed, and I tried to go with a positive attitude but I think that since I ended up only having one night there, I was bound to leave without getting to give the city a real chance. I still would like to make it back again, a 3rd (wait no, a 4th!) time. Krakow was a serious game-changer. LOVED POLAND. The concentration camps--we devoted a full day to touring them--were...amazing in the worst way. So much pain, I felt physically ill the whole time. But everyone should have to visit them, I think. And, as always, it was great to be back in Paris. After a quick rough patch in our relationship, I am enchanted by Paris once again. I can't wait to get back there in late December to see the city at Christmastime! What beautiful, romantic loneliness. Okey doke (my students laugh every time I say that), check it out:
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| Found a little café for apertivo #1 in Milan, and made friends with the guy at the pastry counter there. He made me promise to come back to Milan, which was sweet. Don't know that I can come through, but I will try. He kept pressing free sweets into my hand though, so like, I ain't gonna complain. Plus he's so smiley! |
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| More smiley men at aperitivo #2, where I was the only female in the bar (and the only person under 30). We were all best friends. Smiley old man on the right was drinking coffee with hard core liquor in it at 9:30 at night. Milanese senior citizens go hard. |
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| The reason I spent so much time in bars in Milan was that I was waiting for a table at this really famous pizza place called Maruzzella, where the pizzas are made in ovens like the one above. It was very much the OPPOSITE of a well-kept secret/hidden gem; the wait for a a table for 1 was 45 minutes...In the end, I just got a pizza to go, and took it back to share with my guys at the bar! (one of whom happened to be the nephew of the maitre d at the pizza place.) |
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| En route to Krakow to meet up with... |
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| these goons, aka the A-team. Second from left is a familiar face, obviously Annebam, my twin from Paris. The rest of them (Ellen, Dana, Laura, and Josh) are her buddies from Val, where she is doing TAPIF. They were SO KIND AND WELCOMING even though I essentially just crashed their trip to Poland. It was a blast. After travelling alone for a week, it was straight up amazing to get to stop thinking for myself all the time. Followed the herd a bit, and happily. Helps when the people around you are so fun. Also, for the record, The mosquito hostel in Krakow is the best hostel I have ever stayed in, hands down. Also Poland is freezing (I did not know). |
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| One of our best memories: taking a "Macabre Krakow" nighttime ghost+serial killer walking tour. We had a great walking guide, and the eerie atmosphere was awesome for the creepy stories he told. Also, we were generally pleased, considering that we came prepared with a flask of artisanal infused cinnamon-pear-clove vodka. |
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| The official drink of my trip to Poland (consumed primarily by me and my male twin, Josh--DAB if there ever was one): Irish coffee. Thankfully, I was able to drink them because in Polish bars, they were made with just whiskey, en lieu of that Bailey's madness |
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| Annebam + Polish pastries, defines cute. |
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| Ellen is the cutest. Especially when she tries to eat a Napoleon that is as big as her face. (Aftermath=tummyache) |
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| Krakow, as seen from our rooftop café |
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| The bad thing about the Polish language is that it is literally impossible. The good thing is that it makes for endless amusement. For example, "chips"-> "chipsy" LOL (and kebab=kebaby) |
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| Night #1, solo in Paris: a Portuguese-Parisian wine bar in the 11th. So nice to be back in ma city, if only for a night (solo anyway). The next day, I got to meet up with Alex, my pal from DC (known each other since age...4?) and it was SO REFRESHING to spend time with someone who knows me. Saved us from so much stupid small talk. |
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| Lucy, the adorable pup of Alex's friend Mal, who is getting her Master's in Paris right now. SO nice to have a canine companion for the day (halloween, coincidentally). My puppy Dipsy passed away recently since I have arrived in France, and I have been going through doggy withdrawal. Slash hugging every dog I see, much to the dismay of their confused French owners. |
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| The Galleries Lafayette at Xmastime! SO so pretty! Love SPARKLY THINGS |
