Paris Journey (The End)

Bon jour mes amis!

Well I am down to my final day here in Paris.  When I woke this morning I had no real plans for what to do with my full final day here.  The forecast called for rain and all around gloomy day so really not a whole lot I could do.  It gets pretty cold on days like this and I don't have an umbrella in case it does rain.

I did not want to clean or pack (these things I will do tomorrow) so I took a shower and decided I would take a walk one last time (at least this trip) from my apartment to Notre Dame via the Seine....It's just a lovely walk (even in nasty weather) and I will miss it immensely.  I figured I would once again go down to Ile Saint -Louis since I went there when I first arrived here and found it quite charming.  There were several stores closed including Berthillon ice cream shop.  I find that a lot of retailers here are closed either Monday or Tuesday or both.  I still don't know why?  A couple asked me for directions to Berthillon and I could actually give it to them.  I felt so accomplished and very local :) (although bad for them because It was closed - unbeknown to me at the time).

I then went to Office Depot to try to find a poster container (no luck) - I will have to try another store tomorrow, otherwise I will have to count on luck for my poster to make it home unharmed :)  - I continued to walk the streets and ran into a little boutique where I bought a necklace :) -- These boutiques here are quite random (geographically) but great for finding some rather unique items.  I came home had lunch, checked email (quite routine as you can see)... and once again I made my way to Notre Dame, although this time I was a little tired because the wind was blowing pretty hard and it was getting colder.  I actually turned around and came home.  I cannot tell you how many miles I have logged here in Paris and I have enjoyed every minute despite my very tired legs many times.  It is an amazing way to see the City (also save on metro fare).  So I am home relaxing with a nice cup of hot tea.

Family and Friends - I hope you have enjoyed the experience of my journey here in Paris.  For me it was an absolute pleasure to share it with you .....and because I hate goodbyes and I am not good at them, I'm glad you are not here to see me cry :'(

I am so grateful for this trip and all that it has meant to me.  I have enjoyed my time here immensely and could see myself living here if I wasn't so far from family and friends.  I do hope to return in the not so distant future, hopefully with someone who will appreciate its' beauty as much as I did (although I can't see anyone who would not).

And as I bid adieu to this wonderful city that has been my home these last few weeks, I can't help but be  reminded of my favorite quote of all times;

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." Author unknown.

Tomorrow I leave for London and know a different experience awaits me!

A Bientot!

Avec L'amour de Paris  

  

Paris Les Grands Magasins

Bonjour mes amis,

As my time in Paris nears it's end (this Wednesday is my last day - insert tears),  I could not leave the city without visiting the very infamous Grand Magasins (The super duper malls of Paris).   There are two malls, Au Printemps and Galleries Lafayette and they are adjacent to each other.

I started off at Printemps because that is where the metro dropped me off :)  Now call me crazy, but is there really a need for Malls this big?  Evidently in Paris there is because every department, every floor I went to was super busy!  Printemps has 3 different buildings (home store, men's store, women's and a floor dedicated to women's shoes)  and a cafe on the rooftop which has the most amazing views of the city.  It rivaled the views from the Arc of Triomphe.

I will sum up my shopping experience at Printemps in one sentence.  There was nothing there I could afford :)  -- It is a very high end mall  with all the designer brands and very expensive unknown (at least to me ) brands as well.  The highlights of this mall were my lunch and dessert.  I had the best chicken, carrot and cabbage salad ever and then I had heard that I had to try the macaroons from Laduree's patisserie.  I tried the pistachio (obscenely delicious) and if anyone goest to Paris, this is a MUST do treat!  They are pricey but well worth every penny!   It was a great window shopping experience and nothing like seeing very fashionable women walking with their Hermes bags and casually shopping at Chloes or Alexander MQueen's.  (Ok I will confess that I did make one purchase for my mother which was the only thing I could afford).

I then made my way to the Galeries Lafayette and although quite high end as well, there was a floor of a more affordable nature, however I could not find anything I could not leave there without.  There were a lot of things I wanted, but I already have to leave clothes behind to replace with stuff  I have bought.  The most impressive thing about this mall was it's decor and ostentatious design.  It is quite striking and I hope you get the jest from my pics.  Unfortunately I could net get a good shot of the dome which is spectacular!  My camera is not equipped :(  --  As with many things in Paris, walking these malls require a plan and time.  I spent almost 5 hours there today and I didn't even begin to make a  dent in either.
I could only tell the tourist by the pics they were taking, me being one of them :)

Trust me when I say it was extremely tiring walking these grand magasins and then I walked around the area a bit which had familiar shops like the Gap, Zara's, Sephora's and I'm not sure if we still have Mango in LA but they are quite popular here in Paris.  Then I stopped for a cafe au lait (so french) and made my way home.  Even though I have walked hundreds of miles here, I have also gotten pretty good at the metros.

I'm not quite sure what to do with my last day tomorrow.  I am quite saddened to be leaving as I have gotten used to my tiny apartment, my neighborhood and the city buzz or lack thereof sometimes.  I will mostly miss walking down the Seine river towards Notre Dame with it's amazing views.  This has been an incredible trip and one I will never forget.  I LOVE Paris and hope that the next time I visit there will be someone with me to share in all it's splendor and beauty!!

A Bientot mes amis!!

Avec L'amour de Paris

Can they get any bigger? :)

The three departments at Printemps are connected by these walkways

View from rooftop at Printemps

Amazing!!

The Opera House

Inside Galeries Lafayette

Not quite sure what this is but loved the building

Paris Days of Leisure in the City

Bonjour mes amis!!

As my time to leave Paris is nearing, I am both saddened and excited.  As Deborah mentioned to me today, it's probably the right time to go.  I am not quite ready to leave but somewhat ready to go home.
She is right, I suppose.  The last couple of days have been spent just enjoying the city.  Yesterday we took a stroll to Champs Elysees, up to the Arc of Triomph and a pit stop at H&M.  The weather was unforgiving, it was very cold and overcast.

Today was  much milder and nicer (sun up) and we had planned to picnic (as most Parisians do) along the Seine river this afternoon.  Today is Deborah and Michael's last night in Paris and I have really enjoyed their company these last few days.  They depart for Barcelona tomorrow but I will meet up with them in London next week.

Deborah and I met for coffee this morning and then made our way to the Rue Mouffetard market to buy our supplies.  Wine, cheese, bread, olives, cherries, tomatoes, pellegrino, need I say more? :)
We gathered utensils and necessary dishware from my apartment and then walked to the river.
Many people had the same idea and this is what I absolutely LOVE about Paris.  Picnics or simply getting together with a bottle of wine, cheese and bread is not reserved for weekends or special occasions, it is a daily occurrence.  I know because I walk along the river every evening and I really enjoy the landscape.   On our way there we saw a group practicing what we believed to be Salsa or Flamenco dancing, although it was not to spanish music (which was a little odd) but quite enjoyable nonetheless.

When we reached our destination (my favorite spot is right behind the Notre Dame because the views are breathtaking)  we sat and put out our little spread and  in true Parisian fashion, just enjoyed the rest of the afternoon.

After our goodbyes, I walked back home (lightheaded from the wine :) ) and thought how nice it would be to bring home some of the traditions I have so thoroughly enjoyed here. 

Attached are pics from yesterday's excursion and todays outing.  You will see the weather difference but we truly enjoyed both days.

A Bientot!!

Avec L'amour de Paris

I took this crossing the street :)

The start of today's outing with this group dancing!

Gotta love this!

Our little picnic :)

Hard to see but there are people all along the river

This view is why I love walking the river

Beautiful day and people just enjoying the weather

Musee Du Louvre

Bonjour mes amis!!

Today has probably been the worst weather day I have experienced since being in Paris.  It was cold, cloudy and very windy.  A perfect day for a museum we thought (and so did everyone else)!

Still a little tired from yesterday's trip to Versailles, we decided the Louvre was a good choice.  I had previously been to the Louvre but only took pics of the outside and had wanted to return, at the very minimum, to see the Mona Lisa.  There was a line already formed when we got there but moved very quickly.  I am continually amazed at the architecture surrounding the city so I was very eager to see the inside.

The main lobby is fairly modern with a bookstore, souvenirs, cafe and ticket booths.  Quite frankly I felt the process was quite efficient given the amount of people there.  We quickly got tickets and decided that first and foremost we would start in the Denon wing which is where the Mona Lisa is housed.  What we did not know is that was as far as we would go.  I think I spent an hour alone in one room, the art is so vivid and magnificent.  I cannot fully express the depths and genius of these artists (Delacroix, DaVinci, David) and while I am certainly not an art connoisseur, I was fully captivated.

I lost Deborah and Michael for some time (I think each of us went exploring) however, we all made it to the Mona Lisa.  You could tell immediately where she was.  I had always heard she was rather small but was pleasantly surprised that she was a little bigger than I expected.  Looking at her was like seeing  the "Last Supper" in Milan.  You can't help but be in awe.

After several hours of admiring the art we made our way to the Cafe for some lunch.  I thought the staff looked rather French and I took a pic :)

I do believe that a lot of planning and time are required to fully appreciate the Louvre.  However, there are many like us who simply just want to see the  Mona Lisa.

On my way home (remember I walk everywhere) I stopped by Notre Dame Cathedral where they were having mass (in French).  The inside is stunning!!  Along my route I also saw a couple of guys playing what seemed like bocce and I also saw a couple where I think the guy was teaching the girl dance steps.

I hope we have better weather tomorrow!!

Avec L'amour de Paris