Well I am all packed up. I’m worried about taking the RER to the airport in the morning with 3 heavy bags and a backpack.. hopefully the boys will help me a bit. Also, I’m probably very close to the weight limit on my big bag. Hopefully I can move things around (although there isn’t much room anywhere) and not have to pay extra if they are over. I’ve been shopping for people/myself this week. I am bringing back 2 ˝ bottles of wine, 7 things of jam, and some cookies which I think is where the extra weight is coming from. I also bought myself 2 old fashion posters today, making it awkward to pack the tube. Oh well.
Last night it was rainy so we got a crepe and chilled. This morning Brian and I had coffee over by Nat and then said goodbye to him. I am going to the office in a few to print out my flight info, return my keys, and say bye to paul (boss paul). I think Brian Paul (TX paul) and I are going on this boat tour tonight. We will probably have to head out around 9 in the morning to get to the airport. I am realllly dreading lugging my bags. Oh well. Hopefully nothing breaks and I don’t have wine-y dress clothes.
Since I am leaving, I compiled a list of things I will and will not miss about Paris. They’re all kind of random, but anyway enjoy. See ya tomorrow in Texas!
Things I will not miss about Paris:
The inability of people to choose a side of the sidewalk to walk on
People who rush on the metro before you get off
The smell of urine that penetrates most covered public places (from homeless people)
The exchange rate
Not speaking the language- although it is a nice excuse to play dumb with
The amount of money it costs to live here
The fact that my friends and family aren’t here too
The inability of people to pick up after their dogs
The fact that there is a sewing shop on the ground floor of my apartment that blocks the door with boxes every time I try to come and go during the day
Getting run over by motorcycles (although I would definitely have one if I lived here)
Tourists
Having to explain that I am both working and a student.. and feeling awkward
The fact that everything closes at either 6 or 8 pm
Pushy people
Sweaty metros
Beggars, although I have gotten attached to some.. like “Allah man” in the line 2 metro
The lady at the dry cleaners that yelled at me for not having exact change
Not being able to sit on the grass in certain places- and yes its more than just the MSC at A&M
The lack of “queuing up”
Being 5000 miles away from home
Living alone
The weather when its gloomy
My old apartment
The lack of service in general and the bureaucracy
Things I will miss about Paris:
The overall culture and lifestyle
2 hour lunches
coffee on the canal after 2 hour lunches
public transportation and walking everywhere
the fact that my neighborhood is always lively
Crepes, falafel, pastries, and all ethnic food
The gay bakery aka the “gay-kery” and baguette magique
Meeting interesting people with broad perspectives
Attempting to speak French
The location of my (new) apartment
Cool bosses that let me do hw and the 35 hr work week
The history of the city
The fact that despite being far away, people love to visit Paris
The weather when its beautiful
Flowers everywhere and full trees
Picnics
Feeling like I am lazy if I am not outside exploring something
Not having a tv
Always having something to do and never feeling bored
Playing tour-guide when people visit
Making cool foreign business contacts
The clothes
Defying French fashion law and wearing flip flops
Guessing tourists’ nationality
Being a hop skip and a jump from many other countries
Not being rushed at restaurants and not having to tip
Not being hovered over in stores because of commission
The fact that I probably won’t have the opportunity to come back for a while
|  | 
|
