Darkness has a profound effect on my sleep cycle and room darkening shades at a Paris hotel made that very clear.

While I have been in Paris I have been sleeping much longer than usual.   Part of the reason is that my schedule over the past month has been very hectic and this vacation included much needed rest.  But what was surprising was that I was sleeping till 12:00 noon which is my normal 6:00 am back in New Jersey.

Today is my last day here in Paris before I head to Rome so instead of closing off the room darken shades, I left them open when I went to bed.  Miraculously, I got up around 6:00 am and was actually well rested.  The morning daybreak had brought some great light into the room but not piercing sun in my eyes.

It occurred to me that at home we don’t have room darkening shades so the darkness has a profound effect on my sleep cycle.  It may seem elementary to you but it was shocking to see just how much longer I can sleep in the darkness.

The good news is that three days of late sleeping has refreshed my body.  I went running in Luxembourg Gardens three days in a row and run about 2.6 miles a day.  Yesterday I also walked about 5 miles so my legs are really getting into shape.  Paris has been a great experience and I have found the will power to avoid eating a loaf of french bread every day.

The harder part is next: Tuscany.  The pasta….well you know.