Bienvenue en France
Bienvenue en France!
My flight arrived in Paris at 6:45 AM on a Wednesday morning. I fell in love all over again as I was blessed with the view of the City of Lights right outside my window.
I was blessed by the travelling gods this time around. Both flights were window seats and there was no one else in my row. How does that happen? Never in my many flights have I ever been this lucky.
I have been here for 9 days now and every morning I have to pinch myself. Did I really quit my job, save as much money as I possibly and humanly could, pack two suitcases and hop on a plane to Paris to follow my dreams? Who does that?!? Me, apparently.
Only appropriate to hit the streets for a quintessential coffee in a diner-esque cafe. Pourquoi pas? I cannot get over how classic these tiny espresso cups and saucers are. You cannot go to any respectable restaurant or cafe without these gracing every single table.
These are a perfect little pick me up in the afternoon, particularly after a long lunch. Gives you burst of energy that’s perfect to get you through till dinner!
My first week was spent exploring more of this vast city with my boyfriend. We visited the Palais de Tokyo where we saw a piece by Julius von Bismark entitled Die Mimikder Tethys. A retired buoy that is suspended over the stairwell that is in perpetual motion; it is connected to its replacement in the Atlantic ocean.
Next we walked through the Theaster Gates exhibit entitled Amalgam. The history of an interracial community on an island outside of Maine, USA during a time when interracial relations were strictly forbidden. The island was eventually disbanded and its inhabitants were forced to migrate to the mainland.
We spent many afternoons walking along the various winding streets of Paris, taking in the sights and sounds. It is still crazy to think that I am here doing this. I have my Navigo pass which allows me to take public transportation and thanks to Google Maps, the world is my oyster!
I leave you with a quote from one of my favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien, from his book The Fellowship of the Ring.
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,” he used to say. “You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to. Do you realize that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood, and that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain or even further and to worse places?”
gros bisous!
xxx
Sarah
