I find myself in this continual dance between overwhelming joy and gratitude that I am able to spend 5 months in Paris, and frustration with the fact that I don’t know the language very well and am quite honestly clueless in this big city. I’m fighting with those pessimistic voices in my head that are frustrated with my inability to communicate effectively – most recently put to the test with the troubles I am having with my camera. Petty, I know.
Yesterday tested my limits. I took my camera in to get looked at and was told it needs to be repaired. I’m clueless as to where to begin on that. (That’s code for: I want my mommy!!). There may or may not have been a minor breakdown, which I’m embarrassed to admit since it was over a camera that I’m spoiled rotten to even possess at the moment. Be grateful Courtney, be grateful!!!
Anyway, I digress.
I pulled it together for a class visit to Museé Guimet (located at Place d’Iéna) , a new found favorite.
We only had about 45 minutes to explore so I’m anxious to go back.
I finally got to my first yoga class yesterday evening, and it couldn’t have been at a more perfect time. I headed over to Rasa Yoga to meet a new friend, a fellow yogini and food lover studying in Paris this semester, for a 6:30pm Ashtanga class. Sighhhh.
The class was all in French and while I understood most of what the teacher said, I found comfort in hearing the names of the poses in Sanskrit and knowing exactly what he was talking about. 90 minutes later I left refreshed and reenergized and so happy that I’ve found a little sanctuary in the city. The frustration from the day had melted away, and I felt a little lighter walking back home.
Oh, and a little comfort food doesn’t hurt either. Of course by comfort food I mean warm cooked veggies, sweet potato, and balsamic chicken…did you expect anything else!? I cooked up a little some-somethin’ for lunch today. Really simple – chicken marinated in olive oil and balsamic cooked with zucchini, red bell pepper and broccoli all from Marche d’Aligre. I also boiled some sweet potato too – those are my favorite!
Much better.
Headed to class now, then to a cabaret! No more Negative Nancy here…off to enjoy this beautiful city and be grateful that I can.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.
– Buddha
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Aw, hun, and it begins. I’m sorry you’re having a tough time but please now that you are not alone. Even those that are completely fluent in the language of their temporary country home can easily become frustrated with the differences in foods, customs, interactions and overall ways of life. It is to be expected and very much alright, please don’t be so hard on yourself. Whenever I had issues that I had to go out of my way to fix I made sure to make a list of vocabulary words and phrases pertaining to whatever it was so that I could refer to it when I was frustrated and often flabbergasted. Otherwise, my advice to you is to take each day, each hour and each moment as it comes. Treat your body well with yoga and good-for-you food and anything else you may need to stop the stress and anxiety dead in it’s tracks. One day you’ll wake up thinking about something in French, or maybe you’ll strike up a conversation in French without a second thought but you will improve your linguistic ability. There’s just no way around it :) and you’ll also adjust to Parisian life and find that there are more things to be grateful for than you realize. So that on that day that you do go home, you’re not going to be able to imagine leaving for good. Have a fabulous day sweetheart and good luck!
For some reason, problems with electronics are the worst kind, because we feel so dependent on them :( Don’t feel bad for getting upset- we’ve all been there!
Your pictures continue to be gorgeous! And about the language, don’t sweat it…you’re trying, and that’s the best way to learn!
gah i know exactly how it feels to have everything and then feel like the smallest thing just is such a huge deal. i was kicking myself this morning on my way into work about how lucky i am and why am i sulking like a child? (i’m blaming winter haha) i’m writing down how to get to that market so i can go to it in march! i’m planning on eating out as much as i can afford but my hubs & i will be in paris for a week and don’t want to go broke so we’re going to do a couple meals on our own. that market looks PERFECT! can’t wait, cheer up!
glad you found a yogi friend in Paris!
I have definitely been thinking about how hard it must be to be living in a different country (although, I think I would ultimately love it!) and was amazed at how brave you have been. You’ve been doing great and have had such a good attitude about this whole experience. :)
Enjoy!
At least you know the language a little bit. When I moved to Sweden, I knew no Swedish at all. After living there for 6 months, I could understand the language and add in another 6 months to speak Swedish. You shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. Learning a foreign language is hard. Be intuitive. Listen to conversations around you, watch tv, read the magazines and newspapers. Good luck girl!
i’m still overwhelmed by how amazing your stay over there is. each post has these AMAZING pictures, and i can’t even imagine what it must be like in person! just be thankful, as you always seem to be, and you’ll have the most unbelievable experience :)
Glad you’re feeling better, and that’s really cool about the yoga class :)
Hope your camera is fixed soon!
So glad you found your ‘happy place’ when you need to get away from it all and relax in Paris!
Your thoughts for the day said it all! Just being in the moment and understanding your feelings…will cause HUGE steps! You have already accomplished so much and your language barrier…won’t be one for long! You amaze me! Mostly you are always amazing yourself!
That museum looks so incredible. So amazing that you were able to get to a yoga studio–all the home practice in the world can’t replace the community of a studio. I’d love to take a class in a foreign language, especially a flow. Talk about total mind release.
Comforts of home are great, even when you’re away somewhere amazing.
Adjustments to a new home can be wonderful and equally hard but you’re doing great! You are showing maturity well beyond your years…..Much Aloha
Great quote!
You know there are great conversational tutorials on itunes that you could download to help you with basics of the language, and from there you should be fine- lot’s of the English language is taken from French, you’ll see- there’s fun little memory tricks to it all!
Awww, you’re no Negative Nancy, you were just venting about a totally understandable situation!! So glad to hear that you have new friends and yoga in your life to make things a little easier :) Hang in there, it will all work out!
amazing- great pictures! it is ok to vent every now & then too!
I love how you are still able to create beautiful meals in that tiny little kitchen! Just goes to show there’s no excuse not to be able to cook something nutritious and yummy :)
I think anyone would have at least a few negative thoughts in your situation. That meal sure looks like it would take the edge off, though. Yum!
Such beautiful pictures, makes me want to walk somewhere and see all the sites like that, it sure does make a walk/run easier when there is something to pass the time and wow, Paris. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing and for being the great you!