10 Things I Will Desperately Miss About Paris

1. BREAD DUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I only mention it in pretty much every blog I have written while I have been here.

2. Is it crazy to say that I will miss the five flights of stairs? They have gotten to be a snap and it means I am getting at least a little bit of exercise as I am eating baguette and walking up the stairs.

3. I will miss being able to walk or take the Métro everywhere. It's just not really practical to not have a car in the states... I have to drive 3 miles just to go to the grocery store in Lehi, and taking the bus isn't a very viable option. I love the little open air markets and little shops. I wish we had a farmer's market nearby. It's inspiring me to get a bike with a little basket so I can bike to the store. Except... it will be 90billion°F... *sigh*

4. The view from my apartment. I love looking out of the rooftops of Le Marais during sunset. It's beautiful, really, looking at the somewhat grimy old buildings bathed in soft pinkish light.

5. I will miss very kind people here at work who have become my friends, invite me to hang out with them, and have totally accepted me into the work environment. That kind of acceptance is priceless... patience and kindness? Oh, my goodness.

6. I will miss the crêpe stand right by République that I get the most amazing lemon sugar crêpes at least once a week.

7. In general, I will miss exploring this amazing old city, that has a million and one different little side street, shops, tourist traps, types of people... this city is full of centuries worth of culture, history...

8. I will miss my tiny apartment. In some ways, it has been nice having such a small place. I don't have a lot of frilly fancy appliances and kitchen gadgets. My life is simpler and less stressful in that respect, honestly, because I don't have that much to clean... a few dishes, wipe off the counter, fold a few clothes (when they are not draped everywhere drying...).

9. I will miss not having a cell phone. HONESTLY. It has been sooooooooo nice to not be surgically attached to my cell phone. It lays inertly on a shelf, quietly waiting to be back into a country it gets a signal on. I notice how all of the other interns are checking their phones every five minutes when we go out to lunch and I just don't miss that at all. I don't necessarily love people being able to get ahold of me 24/7.

10. I will miss the free hot chocolate available at the touch of a button. Everywhere should have one of these machines. I am considering unplugging it carrying it out in my German Shepard carrier-sized purse.

Basically, I will miss the food, the people, the public transportation, and the way that life is generally healthier and about enjoying life instead of running constantly from one thing to the next.