Paris, je t'aime.

I've arrived safe and somewhat sound! The seemingly endless time spent on the plane definitely wore me down, but even that couldn't put a damper on my first day here. I met most of the other students in my program and the director at the airport before we were driven into the city. There were lots of orientation details and phone numbers and addresses that went right over my deliriously tired head, but I feel pretty confident I know how to get where I need to be.

Notre Dame and Île-de-la-Cité

Padlock Bridge- couples put on a lock and throw the key into the river

It's amazing how quick and easy it is to make friends in a situation like this- scared, intimidated, and slightly disoriented. During our afternoon free time, I walked with my new friends to Notre Dame. We admired the buildings and the people and talked about our Parisian dreams. L'Île de la Cité, the island on the middle of the Seine, was gorgeous and sunny. We're hoping to get over there on Sunday to experience mass there, and maybe see a different church/cathedral/basilica every weekend. Then dinner was a ridiculously rich and creamy three courses in a beautiful café in the 1st. I had crème brûlée that was absolutely delicious.

I'm very happy and so far healthy. It still feels like a dream. Yesterday was like a day at Disneyland, real life can't possibly be this beautiful. But I woke up in Paris, and it couldn't feel more real.