home.

School starts next week.

I'm not feeling it.

What I'm also not feeling? My apartment.

When I arrived, I thought that it would be perfect for short-term living. I can survive for six months. In truth, I can. It's just that now, I don't want to. The more I think about it, the more I want to throw all the furniture out of my window and start over.

I realize that empty apartments and an unlimited supply of money for refurnishing is hard to come by, so I'm trying to look on the bright side. Trying to enjoy the things that are mine and still here with me.

On the top of that list are my bon'home pillow and my knitted monoprix blanket.

As far as decoration goes, the blanket always makes my plain and simple duvet covers look a bit more lively.

france.

Lately, I've been saying that my life in the South of France cannot match the one I lead in Paris. Everything just seems better!*

The market is down the street and is open almost everyday, except Monday when a grocery store is surely open. The sun is always shining. Most things are, in fact, within a walkable distance. I like this place.

And then came the time I, and most non-European expatriates dread: carte de séjour time.

Let me tell you, this is my least favorite part of living in France. It is always an ordeal. I'm surprised this hasn't deterred more foreigners from living in the country, but perhaps the grapes and cheeses are too good to leave.

gordes, france.

I moved! 

As most people know or have ascertained, I am a fickle human being. 

My new city is Nice, France. The Parisian climate finally got to me, and I decided to hop the fence and see if the grass was any greener. The water is bluer. 

I'm here for a French program that starts at the end of September with Université Nice Sophia Antipolis. 

New city, new apartment, new school, new men. The possibilities are endless.

I'll update on all things niçoises. For now, to the present.

I'm in the midst of a short weekend trip to Gordes. The sign upon entering the city states, "L'un des plus beaux villages en France." It really is a gorgeous place. Extremely small, but beautiful. 

The church is one of the biggest landmarks in the village. Not as impressive as other churches I've seen, but has a quaint grandeur. And, like any other church, it did not forget the most important aspect: riches upon riches. Most of the figures were done up in gold.

 The view of the countryside is the most impressive aspect of Gordes, in my opinion. I wish I would have explored all of the surrounding nature, but adventures such as these require some form of transportation, preferably a car. The hills are a bit treacherous for bikers, but I saw a few cyclists.

 Parisian cobblestone paths really have nothing on these stone walkways. The incline is so steep that there were a few times my shoe slipped on the stones. If I had lost my balance, my camera would have been the first to go. Stone is one of the main architectural aspects to Gordes, having been used for fortification against enemies. It's awesome that it's still with us today.

If you're looking for an exciting time, Gordes is not the place. But if you're seeking relaxation, I'd say this would be a perfect destination for a bit of shelter against the manmade elements.