"What are you up to on your days off?" "PARIS!"

Ahh the European lifestyle. Jetting off to a new location every weekend. Visiting Vienna on a whim, sojourning in Stockholm because you so fancied, and popping off to Paris because your cousin sent you a message one night asking if you were free to catch up, and you said "YOLO! See you on Tuesday cuz!" It's a hilarious misconception that living abroad equates to holidays every second weekend, but I finally managed to take a spontaneous trip this week to my favourite place to see some special peeps.

I arrived in Paris on Tuesday and was grinning from ear to ear as the train pulled into the Montparnasse station and I caught a glimpse of Eiffey. It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and gee was I in the mood for Paris. I had to stop myself from gleefully skipping down Rue Rivoli after I checked into my fave hostel (where I was weirdly allocated the same room as my last visit 2 months ago) because I was just so happy to be back. Sorry to sound like a gushy teenager, but my word Paris was so beautiful. The early autumn light was working it's magic on the buildings and the sky was clear and blue. Plus the leaves have started to turn so it was just a little bit pretty.

I love Paris in the spring time, I love Paris in the fall...

I made the necessary pilgrimage to the local boulangerie to have cake for lunch, and then really mixed things up by visiting the Mémorial de la Shoah, a holocaust memorial for all of the French Jews who were murdered. I noticed this memorial the last time I was around the Marais and I was interested to visit because it seemed like an appropriate site to visit given the history of Jewish people in the area, and the deportation of French families from their homes during WWII. I don't even know how to explain the gravity of the experience. Perhaps I will just leave the comment of it being a very powerful collection and reminder of the devastating crime committed against an innocent population.

A section of one of the walls showing the children
who were killed in concentration camps.

Next I met Amelia and Dimi outside Ladurée on the Champs Élysées. Hugs and excitement and chatter! We wandered down to Notre Dame (deceptively further than anticipated) and had a drink overlooking Île Saint-Louis. Because we were close(ish) I took the lovebirds to my fave falafel haunt, because nothing screams french fare more than ground chickpeas am I right?! Plus I still had a food promise to fulfill from August. They were delicious as usual, and I was a happy chappy. After a little roam around the area, Dimi and I had crêpes for dessert, because overeating is what I do best, and Dimi was happy to join me. I had Nutella, banana and coconut and it was great. We parted our separate ways, and I was reminded that the internet situation at the hostel left a little to be desired, so I took my internet compatible devices to the local Starbucks only to discover that it closes at 8pm! Which seems ridiculous! Obviously the demand for overpriced, American chain beverages wanes after dark. But come on! The free wifi potential!

Just a couple of cousins having drinks in Paris

This is my excited falafel face.

Never happier than when I'm about to eat.

On Wednesday, I met Amelia for some market perusing. Not an easy feat, with mid-week marchés not being particularly popular. We eventually found one that was open, "La marché des enfants rouges" which was smaller than I had anticipated, and also not quite as interesting as the internet had promised, so we journeyed to Galeries Lafeyettes so we could be proper shoppers. We went up to the terrace of the building, which I'd never done before, to get a rooftop view. My professional opinion leads to me say that the panoramic view from the top of Printemps is superior. Just saying. We met up with Dimi so he and Amelia could journey up to Montmarrte, and so I said "Au revoir et bon voyage", and I ventured to the Apple store so I could charge my phone and use their internet. Thanks Apple! Had a good old chat with my Mum and Dad, because it was an opportune moment.

Ugh, be less photogenic next time, Paris. Ile de Saint-Louis.

Next was an unsuccessful boot and coat hunt, and I felt like a pauper because I couldn't justify €450 on a beautiful coat, I mean it was on sale from €650, so I would have saved money...but I probably couldn't pay this month's rent with such ease. It's a hard knock life you guys. Now here's the joke for the post, I bought some gym pants. Haaaaaaa! I thought I'd better get some full length pants for winter, with the idea that I can exercise when it's colder. Man I do some weird shit when I'm hungry! I found a Prêt at the Lafeyette food hall, so I had a delicious sandwich and a green juice on the steps of the Opéra Garnier. Just call me Blair.

It's Wednesday, I'm in love. They're the lyrics, right?

Time to head back to my hood and buy some tea from Mariage Frères, because my stock levels needed replenishing, and Paris Breakfast makes me happy. Then it was just about time to head for the train, so I got back on my beloved metro and onto the TGV bound for Bordeaux. I was a bit sad to be leaving Paris, which I'm taking as a positive sign that I need to return for an extended period of time. Definitely feeling the need to move after Christmas, so will get my organising hat on and make it happen, yo.

And so ends my tale of a midweek soul revival trip. If you ever feel sad, just go to Paris. Easy.

xxx