Catching up

I apologize for my lack of posts.  Once Alex got to Paris I got naughty about posting.  I'm back home now but will continue our adventure in chronological order.

 Note:  This post has many photos

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Although I had done a ton of research before going and had a notebook of things to do/see etc. there were many things not in my book that you'd find in any Paris guidebook.  For example going to the Louvre - a no brainer.  Tuileries wasn't in my radar at all but one day Alex and I decided to go to "Le Carrousel du Louvre".  This is a "mall" below the Louvre.  I believe their website says there are 45 stores...felt more like 20 but it passed the time. 

On our way there we strolled through Tuileries Garden which is right next door.  It was a lovely day and there were a ton of people there.  It's a lovely place and nice to get away from the asphalt, people and traffic.

 

He might be saying "Noooo not again!" hehe

The following day we happened upon a crowd right around the corner from my apartment putting on make up for this:

Its my understanding that Paris isn't the only city that does this annually but it was new to me.  We missed seeing the numerous "zombies" on their walk but spent quite a long time watching them prepare for their journey.

"Zombies (are) were people too"

~ L

Musée du Louvre

Yesterday was Louvre day.  We spent many hours walking around - a small percentage of it lost.  Dear Louvre,  Please work on your map.  Thank you!  

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Winged Victory

Easter Island head - Isn't he adorable :)

Three Graces

 Reminds us of Sid from the movie Ice Age  hee hee

Beautiful ceiling

Like I have to tell you...

Venus de Milo

Goya - Portrait of Mariana Wald

After hour long walk around the museum we went to Angelina's for some wonderful hot chocolate.  It's as thick as molasses and is served with whipped cream.  A meal in itself.   The chocolate is not too sweet, it's just very rich and major yummy!

~L

It's the little things...

Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been sick for the last few days.  I have a miserable cold.  It's slowed me down quite a bit, but I think I'm on the mend.

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Going to a new place is never 100% perfect.  There are little things that irk.  They are just little things that are different than you're used to.  I'm not a negative person, life is too short for that.  I like to focus on the positive not just while travelling but in life in general. The following are a few little things I have enjoyed about being here...

• Walking down little side streets because you just never know what you'll discover
• Walking a different way home and discovering a place I had wanted to go to, but had thought it was too far away and that my feet just didn't have the ability to walk that long distance that day;
• Sitting at a cafe, drinking tea and watching all the people go by;
• Going out to my favorite boulangerie to buy a 1/2 baguette;
• Going to a bar and end up having such a good time we didn't get home until 4:30am;
• Going to the market every Saturday to buy a small rotisserie chicken and some flowers;
• Doing really well with my budget and yet I don't feel like I've missed out;
• The metro which is hot as hell but is well organized and cheap;
• That comfortable feeling as I step out the front door of my building and the neighborhood feels like home;
• Drinking Orangina because not only is it tasty but reminds me of a family trip to France when I was a teenager;
• Having little chit chats with strangers, whether they be tourists or locals;
• Lighting the rose scented candle I treated myself to after a long day and just relaxing.

This list is by no means complete.  There's so much to love about being in this city and I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity.  And tomorrow - Alex arrives.  I can't wait to share this wonderful city with him.

 

~ L

Shopping

(Tip:  For those on my email list for this blog, if you don’t see photos, please visit my blog directly as I have included photos on every entry since arriving in Paris but I realize that not all email programs support embeded images.)

There isn’t much in the way of shopping malls here in Paris.  Off the top of my head I know of two – one at the Louvre underground with 35 shops and the other is Forum des Halles which is just a few minutes from my apartment.  

What you do find here are boutiques and some very very large department stores.  BHV, which is about two blocks from me, is 7 stories and they sell everything including the kitchen sink.  Clothes, cosmetics, art supplies, large and small appliances, linens, furniture, tiles and even a store for pet supplies etc. (What they don’t have is a shoe department and that’s just weird).

The other day I ventured out on the Metro to Galeries Lafayette, another large department store.  This one has more high end brands.  Your Chanel, Louis Vuiton (with a line-up to get in), Tiffany’s, Miu Miu and so on and so forth.  Not everything has designer price tags.  I did purchase a couple of things that didn’t come close to breaking the bank.  They have a huge shoe department but I didn’t get any closer to ending my quest for comfortable shoes.

I have been to Galeries Lafayette every time I’ve come to Paris.  It’s not just about the shopping.  The building is just so lovely inside as per photos below.  Quality may not be great, I was using my IPhone to take photos that day as I had left my digital camera at home.

Window dressing 

The core inside

 ~ L

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens…

Just a few of my favorite things:

Paris on a budget?  I buy a cooked rotisserie chicken at the market and make delicious chicken soup.  There is sea salt and Herbes de Provence at the apartment already, so with the cost of the chicken and some rice I can make 3-4 meals for about 2.15 Euros per meal.  Eat with a hunk of baguette and yum!

Found these shoes for 19 Euros. Real leather and I’m so glad I bought them. They’ve turned out to be the most comfortable shoes I have with me.  Cobblestones are hell on feet!

Wonderful spreadable cheese I have with baguette every day.  Delicious!  The yogurt here is really really good – better than at home but I’m not sure why.  Dark chocolate mousse right from the dairy section of the grocery store.  Amazing!

Treated myself to this little bijou when I was in Krakow.  Love it!

People I’ve met.  Margaret’s sister and cousin.  Her sister doesn’t speak English so there was a little language barrier but we worked it out.  Margaret’s cousin speaks very well in English.

Seen on the window of a shop. Cute!

~ L