Me, My Heart, and I

by Melinda Gallo

Slowly opening up to Paris

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Integrating myself a bit more in the Parisian life is key to creating a life for myself in Paris. Last night, I was invited to a birthday party for a young French philosopher and author by one of my girlfriends. My girlfriend grew up in Paris, lived in Florence for over 10 years, and moved back to Paris last year. We met at a party last year and started seeing each other in June. It’s already a strong relationship since we both lived in two cities (she commuted to Paris every month for five years) and are now adapting to life in Paris.

The party was held in a journalist’s apartment in the 18th arrondissement above the Pigalle métro station. My girlfriend and I met at the métro and had a drink before going to the dinner party.

When we arrived at the building, my girlfriend entered the code to get past the first doors. We were going to buzz the name she was given, but instead we met other people going to the party and we took the elevator together to the fourth floor.

When we entered, the French philosopher immediately welcomed us and introduced us to the other guests in the salon (living room). We began chatting and found out that two of them were Italian: one from Milan and one from Rome. Both live in Paris and seem to have integrated quite well to their new lives.

The French philosopher introduced us to a choreographer with whom we chatted for most of the evening. We hit it off so well that we are planning on meeting each other again soon.

After my girlfriend and I left the party and separated in the métro, I thought about the evening. I was happy to have gone to the party as an end to my intense workweek. It was a pleasure to meet new people and integrate a bit more into my life in Paris. Earlier this year, I had little interest in meeting new people in Paris because I didn’t want to lose my Florentine life. But now that I know that I can embrace both, I am enjoying my life in Paris much more.

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