A Solo Stroll Through Paris

Paris, the city where plans are not needed.
A city where the act of taking a metro and exiting at any and every stop will lead you to a new adventure, with the most beautiful sights to behold.
Waking up in Créteil on a grey and rainy day, I decided that I would not let myself waste the day away in my room. Rainy days have always been my favorite, and to be able to spend them in Paris is a dream come true. So, I jumped into my rain boots, grabbed my umbrella, packed my backpack, and headed to Paris to see what the day had in store for me.
Exiting the metro at St. Sébastian Froissart, I decided to start my day at Wild & the Moon coffee shop, one of my favorites in Paris.
The walk to the coffee shop was relaxing. I was listening to my rainy day playlist, a mix of slower indie and alternative music, while taking in the beautiful architecture of every single building. Paris architecture is historic and timelessly bewildering, something I will never get over. The streets were glowing from the rain with reflections of red and green from the streetlights, and I was content.
After arriving at the coffee shop, I ordered my usual matcha latte with oatmilk and worked on a presentation for school. It was pleasing to watch the rain fall outside as I worked and sipped slowly. With my headphones on, I observed the Parisian people out in the streets. Whether it was a happy couple trying to escape the rain, families on a stroll, or the Parisian college student who was trying to study and walk at the same time, It was nice to sit back and observe how I could be similar and different to each person that passed by the window. No matter the different culture, language, or world-views, I could relate to the Parisians on a human level, which is something I think that we forget to do when exploring new places and people.
With no plan of the rest of the day in sight, I left the coffee shop to take a stroll to wherever my feet would take me.
I walked in no order of direction and soon came upon a lovely little park. The park benches were adorned with families, elderly couples, and kids alike, enjoying the day no matter the weather. A lovely fountain settled in the middle of the park with little ducks swimming, as little kids watched them closely. I walked along the pebble pathway throughout the park, and came to the exit where I continued to stroll through the dewy Paris streets.
Eventually I realized that I had somehow walked all the way to Hotel de Ville and old Paris when I could see the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral in the distance. I walked and walked until I came to one of the bridges connecting to old Paris.

There, I took a seat on one of the park benches and watched as the sun began to set. I reflected on my journey to Paris from the United States and how I had never imagined that it would never actually happen. I had so many doubts about the financial side of things, but God had assured me that I would make it and that it was in his plan for me. I had to learn to trust him so much more than I ever had, and here I was now, looking at the Notre Dame Cathedral at sunset with no care in the world. It was an experience that made me appreciate everything that has happened in my life, even the low points. God brought me to Paris for a reason, and this simple and beautiful day was proving the point.
Solo strolls in Paris have become my favorite outings of them all. I can be within myself while taking in the beauty of God's creation around me.