Around the World With Dartmouth Lacrosse: A Parisian Perspective

Hello again!

This blog marks my fifth week in Paris and I shudder to admit that I am at the halfway point of my time here. Work continues to be an amazing learning experience for me, as I am now finishing my time with the logistics team and preparing to move on to the marketing department. I am really looking forward to soaking everything in with that team, as I have always been interested in pursuing marketing and management as a path after college.

If you read my last blog you will remember that I have made a list of all the things that I want to do while I am here in Paris; while I have the many of those things checked off already — with the exception of several cafés, the Louvre, and les bateaux mooches — I have realized that Paris is so much more than just a list of sights to see or a list of bistros to try. Paris is too much of an experience it to limit it to a check or non-check. As it is only my first time in Europe and I cannot speak for other countries, but that sort of 'one and done' is not the French way of doing things.

Paris is about losing track of time and turning an hour lunch break into two, and 'getting around to it.' Sips are meant to be savored and small side streets are meant to be cherished as much as the grand boulevards.

Perhaps you are a little confused by what I am trying to say. Let me explain: when I first arrived here I walked around with my headphones in and went from point A to B the quickest way according to my Google maps. Even more, the times I ate lunch alone I would quickly pull out my computer to make it look like I was working on something. However, as time went on I realized that while I was going to cool places, and eating the quintessential French foods I was missing out on one of the most important things that this city has to offer: the true culture.

When I first got to Paris after moving into my apartment I decided to walk through the Luxembourg Gardens as a starting point for my French adventure. Satisfied with my first experience I went back to my apartment and checked it off my list feeling excited that after one day I had already visited one of the places I planned. It took until recently, a mere several weeks into my stay, to realize that I hadn't truly gone to the Luxembourg Gardens: I hadn't truly experienced it just by walking through it. I picked a relatively warm and sunny Sunday afternoon and decided to go back. I bought a new book, sat in one of the chairs around the central fountain, and read for a few hours. Other people around me walked through as I had a few weeks earlier, little kids played soccer (I suppose I should say fútball) on the dirt path behind me yelling “Allez! Allez!” and an older couple in the chairs next to me unpacked a small picnic of cheeses, jams, and baguettes to eat while they watched the sailboats meander around the fountain. I couldn't help thinking to myself, “Now I've really seen it,” something that can't been understood in a picture or read in a guidebook. But then again isn't that the point of actually traveling someplace new?

I admit that I have not lost touch of all my American roots: I still like to take my Starbucks to go sometimes, which is a very unusual and uncommon concept for many Parisians. I think that most believe it silly to take it to go when you could sit and really enjoy it. And most of the time I like to be informed of what exactly I'm ordering before I actually order it: trying to be adventurous in my meal selection did not go over well when I realized I had order a raw cold fish filet over a bed of lettuce…not my favorite French dish.

I still have so much to see, so many things to try, and a great deal to learn, however, now I like to get from point A to B by taking the side streets or without my Google maps and sometimes I like to put my computer away when I eat at one of the outdoor tables along the boulevard. One thing that has not changed since my first blog: I am definitely not skipping out on all the French pastries right outside my door.

Until next time! Au revoir!
Campbell Probert

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