Hello again, my beloved devoted readers.  

If you have marked your calendar (as I am quite sure you have), you know that I arrived in Paris yesterday and my father arrived to meet me today.  

I spent my first day being so happy that I was back in Paris and wishing that I lived there forever and ever.  I walked my usual route on the Rue de Passy, where I used to walk "home" from school, and did my usual practice of "leche vitrine", aka staring in all the windows and wishing I could buy something, but keeping my wallet in my pocket and refraining.  (Self control!)  Shoutout to the Descamps who I love for so graciously hosting me!

Dad and I met up at the Gare de Lyon (after we both walked around several times in circles, that's the fun of not having cell phones!) and took the TGV (Train de Grande Vitesse) to Toulon.  The train was an amazing experience.  We traversed France, with the Alpes on one side for part of the way, and the Mediterranean on the other once we made it down south.  By the time we were approaching Toulon, I had butterflies in my stomach!  

The train ride was exciting for more than just that reason, however.  I became friends with the kid sitting next to me.  Before we became friends, I tried not to stare obviously at him as I eavesdropped on his conversation in French.  I did this a lot on the T in Boston, try not to stare at people speaking French while silencing my iPod and listening.  Usually I am unsuccessful and end up staring.  ANYWAY, continuing my "francophile"/"stalker-like" behavior (I prefer "Francophile"), I also read over his shoulder (again, while trying to avoid being noticed) because he had the French gossip magazines.... which consist of many, many articles about American actors and actresses.  I don't think he noticed!  Whew!  

Anyway, after I continued to "play it cool", we finally became friends and I learned that he wants to be in fashion, that he's moving to Nice to live with a friend, that he has a genuine Gucci bag (that I observed, he did not mention), and that he was already wearing his bathing suit so that upon arrival in Nice he could go directly to the beach (that I did not observe, he mentioned).  His name is Medy Gaga, no whoops, Gagah with an h at the end, not like Lady Gaga, but he tells me he prefers Medy Minaj, as in Nicki Minaj.... lahhv it.  

Tomorrow starts the official apartment search, and today Dad and I spent our time exploring Toulon.  It's not Paris (obviously), but it is WONDERFUL.  There are PALM TREES here, PALM TREES !  I understand why this is called the "Cote d'Azur" - blue water like I've never seen in my life.  Jody, the beaches are rockier than in Delaware, but not what I'd call rocky.  I'm in paradise.... and hopefully by tomorrow I'll be in paradise AND have an apartment!  

More updates (and pictures of Toulon!) demain!  Gros bisous!  

Samantha