Day 20 of 60 | Bonjour, Paris! 🇫🇷✨
Today marks one-third of my 60-day journey living The French Way, and what an extraordinary twenty days it has been. Lori and I have begun to find our rhythm here in Paris. It is a city that doesn’t just sparkle, it breathes with history, intellect, and soul.
What I’ve discovered so far is that The French Way isn’t just a culture; it’s a philosophy of living. It’s curiosity wrapped in competence, a deep respect for tradition balanced by a lighthearted wit, and an everyday sophistication that feels both intentional and effortless. There is a quiet confidence here with a sense that life is meant to be savored, not rushed, but also that it is meant to be done well.
The French language itself remains a challenge, yet I’m realizing that so much can be understood without perfect words. A nod, a smile, the way a phrase is delivered - even silence speaks volumes here. Communication in France often feels like an art form, where emotion, timing, and nuance carry as much meaning as vocabulary.
Along the way, I’ve met a few remarkable French citizens who have helped shape my experience: my wonderful classmates R.P. and Emilie, our teacher and culinary guide Chef Tony, and my favorite barista at Constant Coffee Shop - Ben and his lovely Mom.
Each of the above individuals has been a living example of what I admire most about the French spirit - depth, generosity, intelligence, and a genuine joie de vivre. They’ve each, in their own way, reminded me that connection and curiosity transcend language, age and stages in life.
Twenty days in, I already feel changed, a little softer, more observant, more attuned to beauty in the details. Living The French Way is, at its heart, an invitation to be fully present. And with forty days still ahead, I can’t wait to keep discovering more of what makes this way of life so captivating.
“Perhaps the true gift of travel is not in seeing new places, but in learning new ways to see.”
À la prochaine, Paris. 🇫🇷💫
