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My trip to Paris was definitely a leap into the unknown to say the least. I am an introvert and I’ve always wanted to travel but my friends don’t feel the same so it was always just a thought. Many introverts I’m sure agree a trip abroad, alone sounds like an anxiety inducing nightmare. This trip however was far from it. I decided Paris because of a immersive exhibition, that brings to life artists’ work that, at the time was featuring Van Gogh and I couldn't bear to miss it so I booked the flight. My journey in Paris wasn’t without bumps. I landed in Paris and I was already lost. I got the metro and apparently, I got off as far from the center as one could. I ended up stuck in a shopping center, with a dead phone and without a clue what my hostel was called for a few hours. After finally charging my phone I found my way to the hostel. I fell onto a bed and was amazed with the views from the windows. French buildings I had only seen before in films and paintings, were right there before my eyes. I heard the door of the dorm open and suddenly I was not alone in the dorms. I surprisingly easily made small talk with Mark a man, in Paris for business. After a while of talking we were decided to get dinner together, we enjoyed some drinks and talked of our plans before I left to explore Paris on my own, on foot. After two hours my feet were starting to hurt and I thought I was never going to make it to the Eiffel Tower. A little down that street I saw someone waving me down. It was a man after getting closer and letting him know I don’t speak French he said “poetry” he signaled to a door beside him. He explained there are people inside sharing poetry and music. He reached over me and knocked on the door, someone opened the little door window and i saw a room lit up by candles and people formed in a circle. Before I could get a better look the window slammed shot. We introduced ourselves and spoke for a while. I didn’t feel uneasy, anxious or awkward, only a little embarrassed by how horrid my French was and prefect their English was. After a while all the people went out for a smoke, and spoke a little to me. A girl called Liz introduced herself to me, we spoke about many different thing, from work, to poetry, to music, and so much more. Francois and Louis brought us beers, I too was shocked by how stereotypical their names were. Then it was time again to go inside and share music and poetry, I let them know I will probably not understand much. After hours of listening to poems, and music in a language I was not very good at, I felt inspired and amazed at how artistic these random people I ran into were. It was now around 3am and people were leaving, everyone said their goodbyes to with two kisses on the cheek. As I started getting ready to leave, Louis who is the owner insisted I stay, so I did. Francois and Liz played the piano and I watched as they took turns. Later someone whipped out a quiche and some amazing wine. We danced to music for a few more hours. Louis later talked about giving me a tour of Paris at night. We said goodbye to Liz and Francois, and started the tour each with a beer in hand, I saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and many other places. Both tired from hours of walking, I thanked Louis as he walked me to the metro and I made my way to the hostel. I took the now one empty bed left in the dorms and quickly fell asleep. The next day I woke up with just enough time to see the exhibition and to make it on time for my flight. Paris was definitely a leap into the unknown and I am glad I made that leap.