I am proud to report that I MADE IT TO THE EIFFEL TOWER AND BACK ALIVE TODAY! ALONE!
I was given intructions as to which stops on the metro I could take to switch trains and all that, so this morning I woke up, packed a lunch, and went out adventuring!
I was so determined for today to go well that I didn’t think about being scared, just about getting there, and for the most part it worked. It didn’t even take that long to get there even though it looked very far away on my little metro map. My instructions were to change trains at a certain point, then get off and “follow the tourists” until I found the Eiffel Tower, and it was pretty easy! When I got there I walked for about an hour around the tower. It occured to me that I am pretty sure the only reason I found it an attractive peice of achitexture was because everyone always makes such a big deal out of it hahah. All around me were familes speaking different languages and people trying to sell selfie sticks and mini Eiffel Tower replicas to the tourists.
After walking around for a while, I went to a patch of shaded grass by some flowers to eat the sandwhich and apple I had packed. Only then did it occur to me how amazing it would be to have anyone I knew there with me. Anyone. I just wanted to talk to somebody about how beautiful it was there, or laugh about something, or have somebody to smile at. I had brought a journal I have been writing in with me, and wrote a little and even tried to sketch the scene (hahaha it is terrible but whatever). I made myself feel better by telling myself that someday, I will show that place to the people I love, and it will be beautiful for them and even more beautiful for me, because I will have someone to share it with.
The way home was kind of difficult for a couple minutes because I used one of my tickets to enter the metro, and then all of a sudden I didn’t know where I was. I went over to look at a map, and a man came up to me trying to speak to me in English. He looked very creepy so I ran out of the metro station. Outside the metro station, I got out my map and found where I needed to be and it turned out I had been in the right place all along! So I had to use another ticket to get back in and then get on my train. When I got back on the train, I sat across from an older lady who ACTUALLY SMILED WHEN WE MADE EYE CONTACT. It felt so nice to be smiled at, even if it was just a little one. :)
When I was almost home, I heard a young man ask another man in Spanish if he was on the right train to get to a certain place. I remembered from looking at my map that he was not on the right train, and since the other man didn’t really speak Spanish, I intructed him on where he should go and how he can make sure he is on the right train next time. Helping out other people always feels good! Especially in Spanish!! :)

A glimpse inside a metro train.

Me arriving at the Eiffel Tower!

The fountains where a lot of people were wading around in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The view from where I ate my lunch.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about today! I think the reason I am so happy that I went to the Eiffel Tower is that I proved to myself that I can go to places I have never been to in a big city alone and be okay. Soon I will have friends to travel with, but until then I will be okay finding new places and I will not be bored because I know how to get around well enough right now and I will get better at it every day. For this actually is only my first week here!
You continue to amaze me. Sally what you did today was HUGE. You have such strength and courage! BRAVO!! I can't wait to learn about all your favorite places in Paris when we visit you.
ReplyDeleteI finally got caught up on reading all of your blog posts today. I love all of the photos seeing where you live and your surroundings. Made my day! Your positive thinking will make this a great journey for you. Keep posting,I love it! Love Jimbo
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