Tash the Tourist

I have spent the last couple of days just walking around the city and checking out some of the obvious tourist attractions like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.  I got so lost yesterday, I was trying to get back to Montmartre from the Arc de Triumph but somehow ended back at the monument  3 times! I never did have a good sense of direction, but after 8 hours straight of walking I finally found my way back home.

I don't know how to upload my photos onto this hostel computer so nothing for you to see yet...sorry about that, a bit boring, I know...but don't expect any touristy shots, that's just not my style...be prepared for some pics of peeling paint and graffiti :)

Today I discovered that there is a temporary Art Nouveau exhibition on at the moment. I am SO excited and will be going there first thing tomorrow.  For those of you who don't know, I'm obsessed with Art Nouveau, and in fact take note of the main picture on this blog site for a second, the one with me in front of a scene of the Eiffel Tower and an aeroplane in the sky.  I made this collage by taking colour photo copies of all of my favourite art nouveau paintings and then cut out little pieces of all of these images to make the background scene and to decorate my dress and jewelry in the picture.

Everything is going great and I've been meeting a lot of cool people already...so for any friends and family who are worrying about me, you can stop now...I have not been this happy for a long time...

Also, on top of being a tourist, I am also trying to suss out what opportunities might exist here for my music and have been asking around about where I might be able to perform.  I've got a few leads so far, but will have to do a bit more research.

The toughest thing right now is trying to decide if I should stay in Paris or go and check out some other cities aswell...life is so tough :)

Paris is a Piece of Gateau!

Paris is not so scary afterall. A piece of cake.  I was worried about nothing.  I'm just so out of practice with the traveling thing that I got nervous, but it's all good now...

Very first impressions:  Loved the purple and yellow decor of the train from the airport, my favorite colour combo...and there was a guy playing piano accordian ON the train! Can't get more cliche than that, but I appreciated the warm welcome, and it certainly satisfied all of my romantic expectations :)

I found the hostel fairly easily, its close to the heart of Monmatre, very cool spot.  After wandering around for a bit I grabbed a coffee at a cool little cafe around the corner and instantly made friends with a couple of locals.  Might even catch up with them again during the week.

Spent the whole day walking around Monmartre in the area around Sacre Coeur.  So beautiful especially as the sun was going down...and it was pretty special to accidently catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, i had no idea where it was.

Of course, I managed to chat to quite a few people along the way so not feeling lonely at all.  And I was happy to discover that my french is better than I thought.

I also could have scored a job in a restaurant today, but decided against it because Im not really sure how long I want to stay here.   I'm pretty excited to disover some other places now and also feel the need to get in touch with nature and to be close to sun, beaches and water...

So who knows where the road is going to take me.  This is starting to feel like an adventure of a life time and its quite a significant moment for me...I have never felt so free and so close to living in the moment.

a la prochaine!

xx

Last Goodbye

Just about to leave for the airport, butwanted to say a quick thankyou to everyone that went to Glas last night to bid me farewell.  I love all of you and I must say, leaving Toronto has really made me realise how lucky I have been over the past year.  I have met so many beautiful people and I feel I am really a part of a special community in this city.  It really does feel like home.... I look forward to catching up with you all again when I get back...

I'm feeling good, and actually pretty excited now... I can do this!

xx

ps. thanks Stefan for the photos! :)

Careful What You Wish For!

So remember in my last post how I was talking about the workings of the universe and boasting about embracing change and letting go of stability? Well I've really been put to the test now...I've been hit with a few major curve balls over the last couple of days.  Since you've opted to join me on my journey, it's only fair that you should know all of its ups and downs...and dramas...

Truth be known, one of the main reasons I decided to take a risk and go to France was because I thought I had a friend I could depend on and stay with for free.  However this security got swept from under my feet right at the last minute.  So instead of having company I will be alone, and instead of having a secure home base I will be bouncing around from hostel to hostel.  

The last 48 hours have been quite the emotional roller coaster ride.  I pretty much spent a day crying and devastated and almost considered canceling the trip.  But then I decided to rise to the challenge and face the fear and with the support of some friends, I've done a crash course in how to travel safely when you're alone, and I think I've got everything I need.

It definitely changes the way I am viewing this trip.  For one thing, I will not be taking my guitar.  It's much too valuable to be hauling around from hostel to hostel.  And the laptop is staying behind to, so I will have to use internet cafes to give  you updates.

So... now I really have NO idea where I will end up...chances are I will be coming home much earlier than first expected, especially with all of the accommodation costs now.

I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty terrified but I've committed to facing the challenge, so there's no turning back now.

The good news is my tax return finally came through, so I've got a chunk of cash in the bank. Phew!

The other good news is that I'm open to anything now and may even consider visiting some other parts of Europe...I've got a few connections in other places... So far Milan, Barcelona and Berlin are on the cards...

Wish me luck everyone...You are my traveling companion now. We leave tomorrow morning.

xx

PS.  Why did I have to write a song about going to Paris, one of the most expensive cities in the world?  "Next Plane to Prince Edward Island" would have been more within my budget....actually "Next Street Car To West End Toronto" would have been much more achievable on my wage...

xx