I wanted to post these two different videos that show a small part about my journey in North Carolina and in Paris. You can clearly see the different lifestyles and moods. For example, Raleigh was surrounded by trees and nature, and most of my free time was spent exploring the lakes, biking, hammocking or simply going on walks. On the other hand though, you can perfectly see that Paris has a very different vibe. It has indeed beautiful architecture, very interesting art and history, amazing food, among other wonderful things. Now, you can also notice the way I have changed and how different I look when I was in Raleigh vs now being in Paris.

I also noticed, but maybe it’s just my idea, that I’m smiling way more in the pictures and videos I have from North Carolina. It’s an interesting observation, and I am like «Why?» The only thing that can come to my mind is that I was feeling way more free and at «peace» surrounded by nature and all this lovely places where I could just feel alive. From mountains and lakes, to camping trips and beachy summer days. The vibe was absolutely different. Can you see?

However, I’m not saying that Paris is not a place where I could feel free and at «peace». I guess it’s just such a big city, that it’s almost impossible to get into the lifestyle that I had in NC. My daily routine is completely different here. First of all, I don’t have a car. For instance, I have to take metro and do long distances from one place to another. It’s almost impossible to go in 10-15 min to one single place. Second, the lifestyle here asks more for nice dinners at restaurants, cozy afternoons/evening spent a a lovely café, a Sunday visiting one of the dozens of important museums. Even the dressing part is different! Can you tell how I used to dress like in Raleigh? I got such in a comfort type of look that you could almost find me wearing shorts, sneakers and long loose shirts. Very American, of course. And Paris is completely the opposite! I wouldn’t fit in I was wearing leggings and sneakers all the time. Right? Maybe people would observe me and look at me as I was a stranger.

Anyway, these two videos show the same Diana, but in different situations. Diana surrounded by nature. Diana feeling free and breathing fresh air up in the mountains, vs Diana exploring beautiful and perfect streets in Paris. Diana exploring museums. Diana living in one of the most romantic cities in the world. And yet, I’m alone.

Touché! I guess I nailed it. I’ve felt very lonely while I have been here. I’ve been wandering around, spending must of my weekends alone.