Bonjour from Paris! It's day quatre in the voyage magnifique. I already feel like Paris and I are a pretty wonderful pair. I love the architecture and the history and the metro (ok, I adore the metro, partially because I get to practice my French manners . . .namely, my smile code mastery. I've gotten incredibly good at not smiling at strangers and making eye contact without the impulse to smile.) I lalalove watching les parisiens. They all look so good all the time. I feel like I've walked into art. It's not perfect but it's endlessly interesting and beautiful. Paris and I are going to be the best of friends, I've already felt anno

yance with loud English-speaking Americans, so I think I'm on the right track.

My first real up close Paris encounter was with the most fabulous block of graffiti I could ever have hoped to see in Europe.

On my second full day here, I went and saw Notre Dame, Le Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle (as part of one of the guided walks for my class. they're

great because they give you a general part of the city to explore and then you go at it). I cried at least 5

times that day. First because I was so happy I was able to ignore all the people asking me if I speak En

glish. And then when I walked into Notre Dame and touched on

e of the huge pillars. If you go, you must do this. The stone speaks to you and it's like you feel the sweat, tears, pain as well as the faith and devotion that's gone into the building. Just look:

Anyway, perhaps it's a bit overdone or touristy but I don't care and I can't help it. If this doesn't give you a nice first taste of the city, I don't know what will. I'll travel log a bit more plus tard, parce que I'm off to spend the afternoon in the Louvre!