Thoughts about Brussels

The first thing I saw when I woke up on Tuesday morning was the news that there had been a terrorist attack in Brussels. The anger and sadness I felt was so overwhelming that I just lay in bed and cried. I don't think we, as compassionate human beings, can ever understand what drives people to do this.
We can analyse for weeks on end and write books and interview ex-Daech members. But to get anywhere close to comprehending why somebody would plan for months and years to kill innocent people? Impossible.

Impossible was the word a Belgian minister apparently used to describe the war on terror. In an odd sort of way, I felt a grim sense of relief that at least somebody seems to be voicing what the people feel. I understand why world leaders have to give the zero-tolerance response that they do. But the problem is so complex, and we don't have enough resources or manpower, 'we' being Europe as a whole.

I know that to say that the problem is 'impossible' is not helpful, nor necessarily what we need to hear in times like these. However I felt that it was an expression of what a lot of people seem to feel, and within me at least, this very human admission struck a chord.

I think that one of the most upsetting things that people are saying is that it was only a matter of time. I admit that when I saw the news, it was a shock, but it was not a surprise. I cannot imagine the atmosphere in Brussels ever since the Paris attacks if that was truly what everyone was thinking. A whole city, afraid. At the very least, in the aftermath of the Paris attacks, we all had the facts to deal with to try and make sense of things. But the Belgians had none of that; all they had was rumours and fear for a good few months until this.

One thing that I find disgusting is sensationalist media headlines saying things like: 'London is next!' and 'Europe under attack!'. This is absolutely useless. It gives no practical or official information and just spreads more fear, which is incidentally the aim of the terrorists. We KNOW that London is a terrorist target. Sensationalist reporting just to sell more copies or whatever is absolutely awful, and is one of the things that annoyed me the most in the days after both the Paris and Brussels attacks.

Sorry that this just turned into a huge rant, if you even carried on reading after the first paragraph. These attacks really have affected me and my friends in Paris on a personal level, even though we don't know many people in Brussels. I wouldn't wish the impact of the attacks on Paris on any city.

Realistically, this won't be the last. But it would be wonderful if it was.

K x

Why this term has been the best!

I can't believe that I'm going home in a week for Easter. It seems about five minutes since I got back to Paris after Christmas!

This term has been absolutely amazing. I've loved pretty much every minute- of course, not those spent writing essays into the early hours the night before a deadline! It's all part of the student life, I suppose.

Whereas I spent pretty much the whole of last term trying to find my feet here and balancing studying, work, a social life and sleep (I still haven't cracked this), this term I've been able to relax and just enjoy being here. My area really does feel like home now, and so do all my other favourite places in Paris. I've had more time to go out with my friends, and I've met so many amazing new people at language events. Plus, I went to Disneyland for the first time, and got excited like a small child.

It's odd to think that I arrived here knowing nobody. Now I feel so lucky to be living with such wonderful girls, and to know some amazing people at uni. I've found out that I actually like doing exercise, and actively look forward to going for a run. What's happened?!
 I've had loads of cool movie nights, and gone to the massive cinemas in Montparnasse to see some amazing new releases. I guess this is what happens when you live with people who know a lot about films and theatre. I'm not complaining!

On Thursday, I saw Zazie on her Encore Heureux Tour. This chanteuse is the whole reason that I even started learning French in the first place, so seeing her perform for the first time (my dream for about six years) in Paris, where I live because of her, was perfect. I knew every single song she sung by heart, not only because they taught me French, but because they each represented a different part of my teenage years. Of course, I bought loads of overpriced merchandise, including a massive poster (to my roommates dismay!).

It was one of the best nights of my life. It kind of felt like a symbolic end to my period of feeling like a newbie here. I feel like I've been upgraded one level closer to being a real Parisian.


I especially feel this way because today I had lunch in my favourite café in St Michel with some of my favourite people, and then we went to see Don Giovanni at the Versailles Opera. It really was the perfect Sunday.

I know that exams are looming, but for now, I just want to make the most of Paris in the spring and my wonderful flatmates who won't be here next year.
This time next week, I'll be back in my front room with my lovely family. I can't wait to see you all!

K x