A little over 48 hours into Europe and I’ve mostly adjusted to jet lag, done some fun things, and am already starting to learn (or reinforce) some lessons about myself. I won’t try to laundry list the fun things because that will get boring fast, but some highlights include:

• Seeing the Code of Hammurabi in the Louvre – I guess it says a lot about me that I think this was the coolest thing I saw in the Louvre. I’m okay with it, and I also think it’s hilarious. In terms of other art/architecture I’m generally spending a lot more time than ever before thinking about how mind-bogglingly much skill, patience and sweat went into many of the classic pieces. It’s humbling and sobering and amazing at the same time.
• Eating at the Best Falafel Restaurant In The World (at least according to Lenny Kravitz)
• Having some really good talks with JVer outside the cafe – I can already tell that I really, really dig cafe culture and don’t feel like there’s much I can compare it to in the U.S. I have to assume that many locals have their neighborhood cafe’s where they spend a lot of time rubbing shoulders with each other. Awesome.

On the lessons side, I’m seeing that I’m pretty happy so far wandering alone – I notice more about my surroundings and people, and it’s pleasurable to have the freedom to make unilateral decisions. I’m in a bit of a weird space this week with Josh V. working during the day but us getting together in the evening, leaving me long chunks of open time by myself but not much incentive (or a ton of opportunity) to really meet anyone new in more than a passing fashion. I was considering looking to rent a small apartment in Barcelona for a few weeks to be more relaxed and have space to do creative work more easily, but I’m thinking that at least starting in a hostel might help kickstart more new friendships – especially since I don’t know anyone in the city at all.

I’m also feeling a fair amount of anxiety about the language barrier and, to a lesser extent, how unstructured my time is. Feeling intelligent and productive are both pretty near the core of my ego and I’m having those challenged to some degree already (all the Parisians have been totally cool with my inability to speak French, the insecurity is definitely all in my head). I’m sure my subconscious brain is also on slightly higher alert anyway with not understanding anyone around me for such a large % of my time. Hoping that I can continue to push on these, stay out of my comfort zone and break down some walls… Sat down and had lunch by myself today and it felt like a good step to me (of course, after all my hesitation, the waiter immediately recognized I was American before I said two words and started rattling off the daily specials in English, hah).

One other observation – spending most of my time untethered from the internet and mobile communication for 5 weeks is going to be WEIRD. I think in a really good way. I’ve done a couple weeks completely unplugged at Burning Man each of the last 3 years, and I was so surrounded by other forms of stimulation that I barely noticed. This is quite different as I’m in a relatively more normal, familiar setting, trying to find my way around, wanting to talk to people, and have my phone in my pocket. Curious to see if I can break some bad habits there too, as I’m generally much too reliant on it.. (the novelty of lacking work email on my phone for an instant distraction/ego boost has still not worn off after 4 weeks).

Final funny story – I saw this today and got really, really excited (with some healthy skepticism, thank goodness for the running trash fence DP/Bassnectar joke):

Confirmed when I got home it was indeed an “art piece” rather than advertising a real show, was more than a year old and also that the listed venue burned down in 2011. Well played, French street artists, well played.

More photos here.

-E

Tunes for this post: Daft Punk’s Alive 2007, one of the greatest live albums ever, which I immediately listened to after realizing that hoax to console myself…