After waking from my unexpected nap, it was time to explore. I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood and see what I could see. It was the beginning of Spring and the day had been grey, cloudy and misty. I expected to get rained on at any minute but instead I found flowers!

Glorious, beautiful flowers in bold colors and impossible combinations. Each yard I peeked into had an area dedicated to gardening. The city streets were lined with rows of flowers and concrete pots with buds and tendrils struggling to the surface.

I rounded a corner trying to avoid construction barrels but was drawn back because the aromas of the flowers were so sweet and fruity. It was a surprise to smell something so delicate in the middle of a busy intersection.

I did a bit of window shopping,

realized I’d missed a concert I would have enjoyed (GIRL POWER YA’LL)

found that Charlie Hedbo was not forgotten

and thought it would be a good idea to eat. I’d been out and about for several hours and my first meal and had been completely digested. I stopped at a sushi restaurant and had dinner. 

My soup was the typical miso variety but the salad was different. The dressing was mayonnaise-based and the bitter white vegetable was crunchy with a gelatinous quality. I still don’t know what it was but I enjoyed the contrasting textures.

The sushi was fresh and rich and delicious and I was done for the day.

I returned to the hostel in the dark and gazed again at the full moon through my window.

I was in Paris, the city of my dreams. I thought about the planning and sacrifices I’d made to get here, the races I didn’t run and the parties I missed. Everything I’d had to do and give up to get here was worth it.

It was time to go to bed and get some real rest. Tomorrow morning I would start another adventure.

In Paris.