All good things must come to an end

For anyone that has been following I am sorry I haven't let you know but I did arrive home safe and sound!

Again, it has been so long since I have written, and I have been home 3 weeks, but I shall leave a quick update,
I spent the week before I left Paris travelling the South of France, couchsurfing in in Lyon, Avignon and Montpellier. I met some amazing young French people and during the week I put my French to the test. The last five months of learning got me through and I am glad to say hardly spoke a word of English!
I got to explore the hidden passages around Lyon, saw the famous Pont d'Avignon, met other Adelaideans on the other side of the world, dance to swing music in Montpellier and saw snow for the first time.
I arrived back in Paris to -5°C weather and my hands were frozen even in the gloves. After coming back from the relaxed south of France it took a few moment to get used to the fast paced hustle and bustle of the huge gorgeous city. I went back to my Aupair family to say hello and then had a surprise dinner with my amazing friends. The last day was spent playing with my three kids, tearful goodbyes, a Galette des Rois, and one last dance at La Pomme d'Eve.
After saying goodbye to my friends that night (thinking it was the last time!) I was overwhelmed to see them all waiting for me at the platform the next morning to take the train with me to the airport. We shared one last Secret Seven Pain au Chocolat breakfast before the time came for me to say goodbye to them all and to Paris (I know it's cliche, but I think I have fallen in love with the city!).

After a long flight stuck between two big Italian I arrived in Melbourne with lots of bags, a slight British accent and so many memories. My brother met me at the train station and it was so nice to see a familiar face and have someone help me find where to go for once! The Australian accent came off super strong but it was nice to be home. I spent a few days relaxing there before I took my last flight to Adelaide and spent the night in my own bedroom after 201 nights!

I want to say a huge thank you to all the people I met along the way in Europe, on the Topdeck Tour, travelling England, in France and especially in Paris. I had such an amazing time and it wouldn't have been anywhere near as good without you all there.

It is nice to be back home, although I miss my friends, my host family and Paris so much. I am excited to be starting uni and besides, I'll be back to see everyone in the near future. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

C'est pas au revoir, c'est à bientôt!
Gros Bisoux
Sarah

The Bucket List

I have arrived back in Paris after spending 12 days on another whirlwind tour of the UK.
Christmas day was spend in London with family before I went to Cardiff to see family again. We went to see Oliver the musical and were lucky enough to have a drink with the cast afterwards. I then headed north to Manchester and popped over to Braford for the day. I finally was able to see the places I have heard about since I was little, where my mum was born, where my grandparents grew up and where many of my family still live today. I kept moving up north for Hogsmanay (Scottish New Years) in Edinburgh before I had to head back down to Paris and get back to work.

I am making the most of my last weeks in Paris by trying trying to tick of the must see places on my Paris Bucket list. Friends and I went to Versailles this past weekend, and of course, ate a cake at Angelinas. Just following Marie Antoinettes orders! I have managed to see a lot, Musée d'Orsay, The Panthéon, Château de Vincennes, Musée de l'Orangerie are all crossed off. I still have some big names to go, the Louvre (I know ... its just so big!) and the Catacombs for next week.
Although,there is so much to do in Paris with out seeing the tourist sights. I can count the number of days I have been lazy and stayed home on one hand. I am always discovering new places and things to see, my "to do" list grows faster than I can see everything.

This weekend is my second to last in Paris before I head south for a quick tour of more of France.
A bientôt, mes amis!
Sarah