Submitted by Kassandra Borhi on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Paris, France sponsored by the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies…
After spending another week in Paris, I am amazed by the experiences that I have had since my last entry. From this week, I had a few moments stand out that I took pictures of to remember. One of these moments was from Place de Trocadero, a large plaza that has a good view of the Eiffel Tower. Standing in this plaza with my roommates, seeing the Eiffel Tower from this spot was amazing. Even though, I had seen the Eiffel Tower several times over the week from points around the city, seeing it from this spot was breathtaking. It reminded me of the magnitude of the Eiffel Tower. It’s a symbol of this city that I get to live in for a month, something I am still pinching myself over.
My second picture is of the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc is another iconic landmark in Paris. This was the first time I saw the Arc de Triomphe as every other time I tried going, there were Yellow Jacket protests. However, after arriving at the base of the Arc, I was surprised at the size of it, the same way I felt when seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. To me, it is crazy to think that this monument connects 12 avenues that lead out to the rest of the city. It is almost like the monument is the focal point of the city with all roads leading to it.
The next picture I took this week that stuck out to me was from my visit to Notre Dame. I went at night while the church was all lit up, and still slightly decorated for Christmas. Even without the lights and decorations, the church is beautiful, but it was nice to have the added touch of decoration. My visit to the church happened to be during a mass which I felt added to the experience. While I am not overly religious, walking through the church during a mass made me feel connected to times at home I would go to church with my family.
The fourth and final picture that I think impacted me this week may seem a little weird, but nonetheless it, was important to me. That picture is of a washing machine. I ventured to a laundromat with one of my roommates. It was an interesting experience to do laundry in a laundromat in a foreign country with no English directions. While doing laundry is simple enough to figure out, it made me feel like I actually live in Paris, not that I am just here for a month and going home.
