I finally made it home.

Today I found the mall.

I went to pick up my "carte bancaire" (ATM card--which, BTW, has a 300 euro withdrawal limit per week. Thank God I'm not making any money.) at la Defense today. This is a place just outside of Paris, but it's on the line 1 metro, which means it's super easy to get to from my apartment because my metro stop has lines 1, 5, and 8. I feel so wonderfully connected.

Sarah had told me that there was a mall in this area, and I've really wanted a yoga mat. I decided to check it out--especially because I would have no idea where to find a yoga mat in any store I've seen in Paris. I figured that whatever mall-like place existed here would be my best bet. And wow. I left my earbuds in, listening to my music, but, more importantly, blocking out all external noises so that for the moment I could believe. And I did. It was the most at home I've felt here. It was so...normal. Being in a mall was just so natural. I even found a yoga mat!