Bonjour! My
weekend in Paris was filled with so many wonderful memories that I decided to
break this post up by day. On Friday all the way through Sunday, I explored new
and inviting parts of Paris that joined together for an unforgettable trip. On
my first afternoon in Paris, I enjoyed so many new sights, smells and flavors
beaming from every street corner. From sweet smelling brasseries, architecture
marvels and plush gardens, I was in the presence of Parisian beauty. In this
weekend, I welcomed in the exploration of a city known to many, and explored by
the lucky visitors.
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| Hello Paris! We walked around the city, stopping in the Tuileries Garden to enjoy the views. |
After
arriving at the airport, I headed directly to Julies’ apartment to begin our
weekend in Paris! Located in the eleventh quarter, her place sits among a side
street populated by local shops and residents. One of my especially favorite
parts of Paris are the entryways. The architecture marvels in tall twin doors and
ornament finishes. The doors pattern the streets in a regal rainbow. Above
Julies’ pearly red door hung the address in brass numbers. With a sort of
fantastical whim I turned the big knob centered in the door and walked into the
entryway. Black and white patterned tiles met an inner iron gate and wooden
spiral staircase. All of these classical elements met in this room and sparked
the traditional design that I really enjoy. I spanned the spiral staircase and
greeted Julie at the door. It had been two fast weeks since we had last seen
each other upon her visit to me in Edinburgh. Friends in a fabulous city, I was
eager to explore the marvels of Paris.
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| My first parisian meal! After this savory cheese ravioli was happy to explore the wonders of Paris! |
I was
hungry from a morning of travel, so Julie and I headed to one of her favorite
local spots for my first Parisian meal. As a food connoisseur, I savor these
particularly tasty moment. Each endeavor is a chance to explore a new culture
in the best way I know how- to eat! In trying new foods and flavors, I hope to
expand my palate and invoke creativity in my own culinary pleasures. We walked
through the waterproof overhang that protects the outdoor café’s seating in
cold weather and into the main dining area. Our waitress greeted us and took us
to a table that looked out onto the streets of Paris. I loved the wooden floors
and table and brass iron bits cascading the walls. A spiral staircase hid in
the corner with posters of artists and movies stickered the wall. As I was
swayed with the music, I was encapsulated by the aromatic smells rushing on
their way to other diners.
While the menu might have been in
French, I knew that any dish was bound to wake my taste buds with fresh
ingredients and flavor. We dined over savory cheese ravioli so fresh it
practically tasted as if the cow had been milked that day and the dairy was
churned behind the kitchen. I could hear the crackles of the fresh baguette and
soaked it in the remainders of the cheese sauce. As any and every meal should end
with desert, we ordered one of Julie’s favorites, Chocolate lava cake sided
with pecan ice cream. My taste buds bloomed with endorphins. I had eaten my way
into an entirely new palate of flavors and sensations I hoped would become
inspiration for my own foodie endeavors. I could think of no better way to
begin my weekend in Paris then with the delights of fresh Parisian food.
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| Raspberry and Rose Macaroon! |
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| Large Creme Brûlée Macaroon! |
Happily
full of Parisian savories and sweets, we began to explore the streets of Paris.
Julie showed me around her neighborhood and we walked by her school. How
beautiful her university was set alongside the city and local shops. I loved
how prominent the stone building was accompanied by yet more voluminous
entryways and grazing courtyards. We stopped a macaroon shop for my Parisian
delights. Pierre Herme home makes their own macaroons, chocolates and all other
confectionaries. The macaroons cascade a rainbow of colors and range in flavors
from raspberry and rose to vanilla and olive oil. I spotted the classic
pistachio, which is one my favorites and for me is the traditional macaroon. My
favorites were the shop’s signature large crème brulee and seasonal pumpkin.
The dark chocolate filled with caramel delight was just a sweet and
scrumptious. We headed to the Louvre to enjoy our box of macaroons and
chocolate. When we arrived at the Lourve, I was amazed by how far this this
monument extended. It seemingly held a never-ending circumference in which its
interiors house artistic marvels. After walking around and into the entryway of
this prominent museum we headed towards the Tuileries Garden. A spot tucked
along the greenery bathed in the sun and seemed the perfect place to enjoy our
macaroons in the garden.
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| The Louvre is magnificent standing so proud in Paris. The architecture and intricate designs match the art inside. |
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| I was amazed by the size of the Louvre and it seemed to extend into some far off distance. |
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| We walked through the Tuileries enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon. |
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| Enjoying our macaroons in the Tuileries Garden! We joined other loungers on a beautiful sunny afternoon in Paris. |
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| One of the cobblestone streets by Julie. I love how each path invites you in to explore the local gems. |
As the day
passed on we walked through the surrounding areas. Each street and courtyard
harbored its own special niche. This sense of personality reminded me of the
locality and character born in the big city of Paris. Each street was decorated
with family owned brasseries, boulangeries and boutiques. I could smell the sweet
croissants brewing just outside the shopkeepers window, I could hear fresh
baguettes crack out of the oven bread, and I stared into bright colors and
patterns illuminating storefronts of the boutiques. I found myself pulling
towards one street corner only to be enticed by yet another sensation next
door. In one area, we explored the vintage shops known as kilo shops. At these
stores you pay for you clothes by weight of an item. This is such an innovative
idea and almost invokes a sense of creativity in the shopper. I love this
mindset and think it would be a very practical way to market other items alike.
I was running with hype from all the new sights, smells and foods from that
sunny Friday afternoon. After a long day in Paris, we headed back to Julies’ to
rest not only my feet but also my mind.
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| The Eiffel Tower! I was amazed by its golden brilliance shining brighting in the night sky. |
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| Ending the nights with crepes! A necessary treat after a long day in Paris. |
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| Julie and I enjoying a night with friends gazing out onto the Eiffel Tower. It was a beautiful sight and a great way to spend my first evening in Paris! |
Later in
the evening we set out for a delightful and simply delicious dinner. We bought
ourselves some fresh baguettes and cheese spread and walked to Julie’s friend’s
apartment. We dipped baguette in savory cheeses, laughing and listening to music.
It was yet another chance to share stories with other students abroad. I love
these moments where I can learn from what others have explored in Europe and
reflect also on my experiences abroad. Stuffed with baguette and cheese, we
headed out into the city of Paris and towards the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel
Tower seemingly grew as walked from a nearby monument towards the greenery. We
perched ourselves alongside a stone wall and stared in its magnificence. Right
on the hour the Eiffel Tower started to sparkle and I felt like I was in the
presence of shear brilliance. The sparkles light up the city and illuminate a
new pocket of Paris with each twinkle. Gazing at its gold contours and
geometric patterns, I found myself pondering not only its beauty, but also my
own wonders of the world. This was my first real moment seeing the Eiffel Tower.
I could feel the nature of this architectural masterpiece growing and invoking
brightened world of inspiration within me. With such a bright night, we headed
back to Julies stoping, of course, for the necessary late night crepe. My crepe
was filled with thick and nutty Nutella, warmed bananas and the sweet crunch of
coconut. Simply Parisian Yum. A happy belly and a twinkle in my eye, it would
certainly be sweet dreams for me. The next day I knew would bring just as much
bright and wondrous adventure as the first.
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