Since kindergarten, when I wanted to be an impressionist painter, I have wanted to visit Paris. I dreamed of being Lynette in Monet’s garden, eating foremage, pain au chocolat, endless croissants while painting and reading in cafés all day. I love the language and the culture and have seen Midnight in Paris, Amelie and Moulin Rouge more times than I can count. I have always wanted to visit but have never had the chance.
Then I snagged the priceline glitch around the world ticket for $300 and it included Prague to Bangkok with an 18 hour layover in Paris!
With 20 years of anticipation, I wanted to get the most of my time in the city, so I split from my group I have been traveling with for a bit of adventure on my own.
While most of the Parisians were pretty unhelpful, I was so grateful to finally find my friend Sophie, one of the only friendly, warm Parisians I have ever met. We met back in 2012 while backpacking through the Yucatan with our not-so-significant others and spent a magical Valentine’s day weekend in Tulum all together.
I promised her I would come visit her in Paris so it was such a nice turn of events to reunite, both free of our unhealthy relationships and having a blast running around town and catching up over amazing food and a bottle of the best red wine I have ever had.
We even found the Cafe de 2 Moulins, where they filmed Amelie and had delicious dessert late night! I could have only been happier if Amelie brought me the creme brule herself.
I was delighted by the city, the lights at night illuminating the brilliance of the architecture, even bridges lit up beautifully. I loved walking the artsy streets of Montmarte, the outdoor cafés and courtyards of painters with their easels under the trees, making pictures of the city. It’s charm lives up to it’s reputation and the warm weather today exceeded mine. I was pleased to find a nice bench to rest and disrobe my peacoat. It looked so lovely draped on the bench, surrounded by trees and the sun shining threw I wanted to paint it. I obviously didn’t need it for this sunny day of walking, or in Southeast Asia tomorrow, so I left my coat at the bottom of the hill at the Sacré Coer Basilica in Montmarte. I am sure it will enjoy it’s new home in Paris.
Seeing the Notre Dame, Louvre, Arc De triumph, Eiffel Tower sparkling at midnight, Moulin Rouge, Montemarte, pan au chocolat for breakfast overlooking the Eiffel Tower and a walk through Montmarte all in 16 hours was a feat, but navigating the metro and train system by myself was the real victory here in Paris.
As I ride the train to the airport, finishing this though, a man with a violin is playing a beautiful happy song as the sun shines through the window and the golden yellow trees wave goodbye. I can’t help but smile. Ahhhh mercì Paris! Au revoir!
On to Chiang Mai, Thailand for the lantern festival!
