America is my country. Paris is my hometown.
I believed in my dreams as much as I believed in myself. I am Ivy Michelle Swan, an all-American girl who had just graduated from Thomas Jefferson University. To be honest, I really am thankful that I survived those past four years. It was just as awful as high school years. Heartbreaks. Popularity. Stress. Bullies. Drama. They all made my college years as dreadful as it could certainly be.
But right now, I’m going to have the time of my life. The moment where I wish nobody would pinch me and wake me up from my dreams. The moment where nobody could take the spotlight from me. The moment where I could be me.
And this is where my story starts.
Monday, February 4, 8:30 P.M
I wish I had the power to move people out of my way. I felt so impatient with the long line of customers availing the promo tour of Air France Airlines. The people are so dense and so close to one another that I already can’t breathe. It just doesn’t seem right, you know. From the people crowding themselves off to the suitcases that are being pulled to fit in the hallways, this is not how I dreamt my trip would be. But one thing is for sure. I wouldn’t get anyone block my dream of being in Paris. Yes, I maybe just a mediocre girl from Los Angeles who saved money by being a working student but it gained me a lot of strength.
After hours and hours of waiting, I consider myself lucky enough to be the last person to get the last ticket in this trip. I excitedly pulled out my passport and gave them the money I, myself, earned for years. I had my camera with me so everywhere I went, I took pictures of myself.
Right now, I’m still fortunate to have a not-first-class seat in this airplane. My seatmate is weirdly looking at me. I bet, she’s wondering why a 20-year-old girl could still keep up with her diary. The flight attendant just told me to stop writing at this time. Lights off!
Tuesday, February 5, 8:55 A.M
“Please, nobody pinch me.” Amazed, this was the first line I whispered to myself when I got here in Paris. “Bienvenue à Paris, Mademoiselle!” This was the first sentence my ears could even hear from my astonishment. I can’t believe I’m in the exact place I collected photos and postcards from. This is marvelous!
So, the tour had their specific hotel for their customers. I got the room #148 in the eighth floor of this Hôtel Piste Apartment, which I considered some kind of a crappy hotel. It could be big but the rooms are so crowded. This bed I’m sitting on right now is actually cheaper than the ones we had from home.
Oh, I almost forgot. I shouldn’t waste my time complaining. It would just ruin my stay in Paris. I just hope this tour wouldn’t make me want to go back home immediately.
Tuesday, February 5, 9:12 P.M.
Today was just not fun. All we did was run and run from one destination to another. I couldn't even have time for taking pictures. The tour guide was just like, “Allez. Déplacez-vous rapidement.” It’s a shame I only know a few French words so I still need to bring my French dictionary with me everywhere. Because of that, I found out that the tour guide was just repeating the words ‘Come on. Move quickly.’ over and over again.
For 10 days, I don’t know how we could visit all the tourist destinations listed in the brochure the tour management had provided us. The itinerary of this tour, for me, is impossible to meet. Arc de Triomphe, Belleville, Paris, Cathédrale Saint-Maclou de Pontoise, etc. I cannot even imagine how I could reach those places for only a limited time. I hope this tour’s not gonna be worse.
