Day 52: The churro made me do it!

I did not bring a jar of Nutella home for my family. So much anger and sadness. I failed...

This was my dream. The first dream that I have remembered in ages and this is its content. I really better not forget that jar of Nutella; the mistake has already started haunting me!

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Getting some work done in the morning, what I was truly looking forward to was lunch at Mokonuts, the restaurant that Anna and I made reservations at towards the beginning of our time here. Now returning with some friends, we were excited to share the experience with more people. Joy through food is a beautiful thing. It can truly bring people together.

With the reservation at 2pm, we made our way in that direction as the afternoon started. Sitting at a table by the window, the fresh air blew in as we enjoyed all that the menu had to offer, literally. This is the list of what went into our stomachs (in French)...be jealous: labné, olive de Sicile, concombre et zaatar; panzanella de tomate de Olivier Durand; œuf, butter beans, poivrons et feta; thon blanc de ligne de St. Jean de Luz, ratatouille, pousse marine, purée d'ail doux; volaille de La Maison Garat (poulet), haricot vert, courgettes, aster et pesto; Cookies (choco chunk, multigraine & chocolat noire, café coco, and tahini & poppy seeds); crostata de nectarine blanche, sorbet yaourt.

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After our mouths had a field day, sufficient evidence listed above, we all went in our separate directions. The direction I chose to make for myself was a walk to the Marais from the 11e, where Mokonuts is located. On the way, walking along the shade as it provided the right amount of coolness from the sun, I called my parents, recounting to my mom how strange it felt to walk these streets that were soon-to-be far far away from me and my reality. I was living out my last days here and it could not have felt less real. The time spent here has been a long one, at least relative to some other experiences and I have planted at least a few roots. Strolling down these streets, I surprised myself when I found my way to Rue Vielle du Temple without the help of any map except that which exists in my head. A little bit of pride soared in me as I was able to pull that off. I can start to feel more legitimacy in calling this city a part of me, or me a part of this city.

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While chatting and walking, I also managed to secure my spot in a ceramics class at Harvard this coming fall; I want to create a new self nurturing reality there, and I am excited to see what is in store.

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Eventually making it all the way home as the sun lowered itself in the sky, I found the glittering of the sun on the Seine to be an etherial sight. Slowly heading up along the bank, I stopped at a few of the side vendors to explore their posters, making sure to grab what was necessary for those that I love. Stopping at one that was just closing up, in his frazzled state, I believe he gave me one more than he should have for the price...

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Walking into the apartment at the same time as my host family who had been out all day, we chatted about something inconsequential as sweat from the walk dripped down my back. Making my way to my room to have a few minutes before dinner, I whipped out my computer and did some quick essential work for my summer project that is due in just a couple of days. A little nervous about getting everything done exactly the way I wish it to be done, I tried to lay out my two day plan in my head. Tuesday would be a massive work day as many museums were closed i.e. the Louvre is on my list of places to visit again before I leave.

Dinner with the family was missing one as the third students staying in this household who was spending a couple days in Nice. Chicken and peas for Anna and I along with a semoule pudding and then off we were to the Jardin des Tuileries; we had a plan for this evening, as we do with each consecutive evening before we leave.

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We wanted to explore the festival which has a massive ferris wheel with an aerial view of Paris. Surprisingly, this did not make me as nervous as I expected it to. From the top, as we rose above all the Haussmannian buildings, La Tour Eiffel, Les Invalides, La Defense, Le Sacre Cœur, La Tour Montparnasse, and more shimmered into sight in the night. Magical feels like an understatement.

Then I found it necessary to get churros with Nutella. It really isn't my fault, they were there, they were calling my name in little cute voices...Marwenaaa, Marweeeeenaaaa...I could not help myself. So, naturally, I made myself sick with their fried goodness. Only smart choices here...

Right after filling my stomach with these delicious batons of death, I got on another ride, one that had a little spin to it. Now, I really was sick ladies and gentlemen. Oh well. We only live once right.

Heading back around 23h30, I claim this one as another successful night despite my upturned stomach.