Sparkler Snapshots

XXIV | Petal Desserts and Fireworks

"Two men look out through the same bars: one sees the mud, and one sees the stars." – Frederick Langbridge

Date: July 14th, 2017

Occasion: Bastille Day (le 14 juillet)

Country: France

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XXVII | Petal Desserts and Fireworks

July 13th, 7:20 pm

Dear diary,

It's the day before Bastille Day! Oh, I should probably be writing bonjour diary to be all fancy and French. I'm sorry, I don't know much French yet. I mean, I hopped on a plane at LAX and flew here two days ago. I still have trouble believing that I can see the freaking Eiffel Tower every time I look outside my cozy apartment window in the morning. That's la tour Eiffel in French, right? See, I'm getting the hang of this. Take that, tenth grade French teacher!

Anyway, France is absolutely stunning so far. It was totally worth going on this exchange trip thing. Did you know that France is the world's most popular tourist destination? They must have come because of me. I'm as attractive as a magnet. Just kidding, I look like a troll right now. What? I'm about to have dinner anyway and it's not like I care what I look like. Messy bun and sweatpants, forever and always.

I'm debating whether to go out to a restaurant and bother to look nice, or burn my apartment down by attempting to cook. I know I lose either way, but I would rather choose the more dignified route to go out. Besides, food comes with both options, so at least it's not a total loss. Also, I can't wait to try a bunch of French delicacies. I mean, come on, let's be real here. Everyone's wanted to try snails once in their lifetime, don't try? Do escargots taste slimy? Do they leave the shell on? Details, people, details.

Anyway, there are a whole bunch of tourists hovering around the Eiffel Tower. The tower lights should be turned on any second now, but patience is apparently not a virtue of the photographic industry, who are snapping away with gusto. Also, did you know that the Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary? I guess the Parisians fell in love with that giant arch of beauty and decided not to knock it down. Oh man, I still laugh at the world Parisians. It makes me think of the tiny paper umbrellas people put in summer drinks.

Speaking of which, my stomach is begging for nourishment, so I'm going to take my leave and find some nice French food. See you later tonight, and pray I don't get food poisoning.

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July 13th, 11:52 pm

Dear diary,

Hello, I have returned! If you're wondering, I didn't want to risk the safety of my temporary household and went out for dinner instead, at a small table by myself, observing the fascinating Parisians around me. Cultural differences always require some creepy spying. Loads of people cast me sympathetic looks though. I think they assumed I'd been stood up by my date. Well, if you want to ask me the same question, diary, I promise I'm single and ready to mingle with some très beau French boys.

So, onto the good stuff. Let's run through some of those French delicacies, because who doesn't want to talk about food? I visited this amazing French restaurant that was decorated with all sorts of flowers; scarlet roses, plum pansies, a few bright yellow daffodils here and there, and bouquets of blue orchids, accompanied with loads of other nice flowers that have tongue twister names which I can't pronounce to save my life.