Since my first Madeline book I’ve wanted to live in Paris. Of course it was cartoon Paris that I dreamed of. I was living on a farm in Texas miles away from the nearest neighbor that was not immediately related to me. So in my book Paris might had well been Saturn to me.
So when in the summer of 2006 I jumped at an opportunity to solo backpack through Europe I decidedly made Paris one of my major stops. While all other travelers tried to dissuade me from spending 14 of my 72 days there I started a bit of doubt in my plans. Perhaps Paris was so vastly different from cartoon Paris that I should just make it a normal stop.
Well after 7 days I continued on my trip. Upon leaving Paris I decided it should be my stop back on the way home. So an additional week or so were spent there. Once home I quickly planned my return for 5 months later during winter break and again the following summer for 2 1/2 months. I decided that this is where I must live.
Paris is not cheap and neither was my mediocre American education. So in order to pay off my student loans and make sure Paris is truly the one place I can live I moved to South America. Colombia specifically. So for the next two years this blog will probably be rife with comparisons.
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
24, June 2007 at 9:03 am
Hope Wils
hi! Best of luck to you whilst in Paris! I lived in Holland (leiden) while attending graduate school. I was supposed to be in Austria (even took German) I was prepared, but at the last month they switched my classes, and I was sent to the Leiden school instead of Vienna. So my Vienna is your Paris.
I hope to eventually make it there at some point. Of course now I’m in corporate world trying to pay off and save at the same time. Anyway I’m a fan of Aslan too, and found your page, blog etc. — Again best of luck! 
19, April 2009 at 12:21 am
Seeso
I stumbled upon your twitter feed whilst searching ukuleles. I just wanted to say that I’ve been enjoying your feed. Peace, Seeso.