Arc de Triomphe

I woke up from a long sleep my body sorely needed to a foreign apartment in a strange land. I ate a chocolate croissant I stored away from the day before, brewed some chai tea and thought, "wow. here I am in Paris...what should I do today?"

Many things. Walking the canals watching old men play a game called le punt, kind of like billiards without a board or cues. Navigating the metro system. Being mistaken for French many times and feeling embarrassed not being able to answer people's simple questions. Exploring the hilltop avenues of Montmarte. Chewing on baguettes and great cheese I can't pronounce the name of for a picnic. Getting lost, but finding new things.

Most memorably though was meeting Chiara that evening in the Latin Quarter. We picked up ham and cheese crepes for dinner on the street. They sound much better in French and were the best I've ever had. And then Chiara took me to a symphony. Yes, and not just A symphony. The first ever performance of the North Korean symphony outside of their country as part of a rare diplomatic political gesture. Yes, right here in Paris. Chiara and I....

Well, being a journalist has it's perks I guess and this was work related after all. Of course, being the guest of a journalist also has it's perks. I felt underdressed, exhausted, and a little euphoric and bewildered. In a daze I couldn't help thinking how only 48 hours ago... and now? Well, that is the joy of travel, of life I guess!

We walked past the Arc de Triomphe and down the long boulevards pass the Seinne on the way back to the metro station and home. What a night.