Les mémoires de Paris.
On my sixteenth birthday, my mom got me a lamp shaped like the Eiffel Tower. It was heavy, and bright silver, and I loved it!
Because the lamp was so specific, I asked my mom why she picked it out. She answered, “because ever since you were a little girl, you have always talked about going to Paris.”
I never realized I had ever actually told anyone that.
My dream of seeing Paris was something that I definitely internalized. To be completely honest, I never thought I would actually make it to Europe in the first half of my life. The older I got, the more responsibility I earned, the more I felt like studying abroad would be too frivolous. But after 9 years of French classes, I finally found the right opportunity to study in Paris.
I was a commuter all through college, and worked two jobs to afford school. Once I decided on Paris, I had to work even harder, saving every dollar to pay for the trip. I am fairly positive that once the day finally arrived, no other person had ever been more excited to board an 8 hour flight than I.
There are so many details of my study abroad experience to share, but I wanted to start with a memory that I am so very proud to have.
On the evening of our second night in Paris, our professor gathered us together to see the Eiffel Tower at night. I can remembered the jitters I felt leaving our hostel, and the excitement building as we walked toward the métro. I can recall perfectly the moment we exited the station at Trocadero, which put us just North of the Eiffel Tower. As we stepped out onto the narrow sidewalk, I remember thinking that in just a few steps, I would accomplish what had seemed like a near impossible life goal.
Most clearly, I remember that strange feeling that I think everyone experiences when you realize that you are on a completely new continent for the first time. I felt a little bit alone, but I also felt like I was on the verge of something great.
As we turned that last corner, and walked up the steps of the Jardins de Trocadero, I found myself nearly eye level with the Eiffel Tower itself.
More than 120 years after it had been constructed, that Eiffel Tower and I had a moment to ourselves. As I watched it twinkle in the distance, I felt a good mixture of wonder and accomplishment, knowing that I made it where I was always meant to go.
Night view from Jardins de Trocadero.
Night view from below the Eiffel Tower.
(Source: picasaweb.google.com)
