Busy Parisian Weekend in Monceau

Wow, what a weekend! Yesterday (Samedi 20 Avril) was packed with activity, starting with a class tour, with a diverse international group, that ended up being a great experience.

 We walked a ton - about 15,000 steps (by the end of the day, I hit 20k steps)- and learned some interesting things about French churches. It made me think about the differences between France and the US, particularly regarding social programs and national identity. 
Later, we had lunch together, which was a fun way to practice my French (even with some language barriers!). Afterwards, I attempted to climb the Eiffel Tower with a classmate. It was cold and windy, and after waiting in a long line, we decided to skip it. It just wasn't worth the discomfort, especially since I wasn't feeling well from a recent cold.

À la Famille de Mère
Our tour of Parc Monceau took us past a gorgeous chocolate shop. Being a sucker for Parisian shops, I had to take a peek. My classmate decided to browse inside, and let's just say it was a delightful discovery! Turns out, the shop was À la Mère de Famille, the oldest chocolatier in Paris! No wonder the selection was incredible – this place has history!

Gym and Fitness
Despite all the walking this weekend (and pastries!), I still plan to join the gym downstairs. I brought my weightlifting shoes and some gel arch supports for added comfort. A good workout could be a nice break from studying and cleaning today.
​Priorities and Planning
Staying healthy is a priority while traveling. I learned a valuable lesson in Jamaica about packing proper medication! This time, I'm prepared with a saline nasal spray to help prevent another cold (the low temperature and incessant wind under the Eiffel Tower made me paranoid about getting sick again).
Today, I'm catching up on studying for a French verb conjugation test (passé composé, futur porch, l'imparfait, l'imperatif, l'infinitif) on Monday to see if I can get into a higher level class. Wish me luck! I also need to clean my apartment and organize my things. Space is a bit tight, so I'll find a way to store my suitcases and maximize storage. On the bright side, I have a full-length mirror and towel warmer! After breakfast (muesli and rice milk), I'll tackle the rest of my to-do list.