A month ago I went to Paris.
It was something I had been really looking forward to.
Before I even knew my UK visa had been approved and before I’d booked a flight from Louisville to London, I knew I was going to Paris. My friend Claire found a good deal on EuroStar tickets and snatched them up immediately. She’d never been, our other friend Meghan had never been, and I’d spent half my previous time there at Disney World.
But then the trip didn’t exactly go as planned.
I contemplated even writing a post about this trip because when I looked back at my most recent posts about Southeast Asia they mostly mentioned the time I was sick in Singapore and guess what? I was sick in Paris too and didn’t want to look like someone with the worst immune system in the world. Or a whiner. Or a hypochondriac.
But…even though it wasn’t the greatest time for me (the week leading up to it was one of the most miserable of my life, I spent the Tuesday before we left in the emergency room because they thought I might have malaria, and I couldn’t eat anything or walk more than about 20 feet without needing a break), it still had its good points.
There was perfect weather. I mean, the kind of weather you dream about for a weekend getaway. Crisp fall air. Blue skies with sunshine and the perfect amount of wispy clouds.
There were amazing meals, like this one at a small restaurant we stumbled upon our first afternoon in Paris. A meal with a creamy risotto topped with a thick slab of foie gras and the biggest salad I’ve ever seen. It was a meal I enjoyed about four bites of, but the four bites were enough. Enough to kind of see why France thinks it has the best food in the world.
The after photo of the risotto and foie gras. I wish there a before pic. I really do. But we were hungry and it was just so good.
There was a less than amazing meal at the top of the Georges Pompidou Center. But the less than amazingness of was made up for by the sheer perfection of the view.
The less than amazing duck.
Made up for with this.
There were sights I’d always wanted to see, like the Basilica of the Sacre Coure in Montmartre and the Louvre, that I finally was able to.
There was laughing at all the people crammed up against the Mona Lisa, trying to snap a photo of a painting you can see in just about any art history book.
There were naps under the Eiffel Tower, which if you’re going to nap in public is THE place to nap in public, when I was too tired to walk any further.
And there was the best photo of me ever taken on a trip. Ever. It is the best because it looks like I am trying to be all cool. But in reality I had no idea the photo was being taken and it’s more likely that I’m about to cry because I’m so tired. And so hungry. And in so much pain. It’s currently my Facebook profile picture, and whenever someone liked it, it made me laugh. If only they knew…
If there’s anything I’ve learned while traveling this year, it’s that travel doesn’t always go as planned and you just have to roll with it.
This time I also learned that Paris is only a 2.5 hour train ride away from London.
It helped me deal with the first lesson a little bit better.
I’m so sorry you were so sick on your trip
:(. But you look like a badass goddess in the last picture, and all of the other pictures are swoon-worthy. They remind me why Paris is my favorite city in the world!
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Thank you, my dear
And yes, Paris is amazing. When you come visit we will go again.
The pics are amazing! Sorry you were feeling ill. Dude how do you afford all of these amazing trips?? Italy next too! Let’s trade places^^
Students loans…and after recently looking at my bank account, a job that I still need to get lol. I’m going to be eating a lot of ramen noodles in the near future to afford these trips. But worth it! Next stop after Korea for you should totally be Europe
Ugh, I’m sorry you were so sick! I was sick while traveling so much this year too! It’s passed for now….thank goodness…
AHH You tricked me with that empty plate of risotto. As I was reading about it I was really excited to see what it looked like lol.
I went to Paris recently too….I have to go back!!
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I WISH I HAD TAKEN A PHOTO. Ugh. You have no idea. Two bites in I was kicking myself that I’d forgotten (was too hungry) to take a photo of one of my favorite dishes ever.
And yes, a return trip to Paris is a must!
Glad you were able to find the silver lining in this trip, and sorry you were so ill. That sucks. Paris is somewhere I’ve really taken for granted, because as you say, it’s only a 2.5 hour train ride from London, where I grew up so I’ve been several times (though I remember the days when it was a 3.5 hour trip before they improved the line!) It’s always nice to see a city through fresh eyes like this.
P.S. Hooray for public napping!
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Yes! Public napping is the greatest. I could sleep anywhere. As an American it sounds so funny to hear you say you took Paris for granted because for us Paris is like the ultimate romantic European destination. But I can definitely see how that could become the case as it’s a beautiful city that’s so close.
Ugh. Paris. Me manque.
Give me a call next time you plan to head back. I’m all about picnics and napping in various (appropriate/inappropriate) places around Paris.
Such an amazing city. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to call it home. And then leave.
I will let you know when I plan my return trip!
I agree with you saying that travel doesn’t always go as planned and you just have to roll with it, but in fact, it’s a great thing. I love unexpected things happening on the road, but not when I’m sick :(. I’m so sorry to hear you felt sick in Paris. But hey! What a great weather and food you had, I’m so jealous x
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Ohhh, it’s been so long since I’ve been to Paris. Years now. And I’ve still yet to see so much. That is really a kickass picture, even if it was unplanned. Haha.
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Paris is one of those cities you could spend months in and never see everything. Always a good reason to return
Hi Amanda
Nice picture,Sorry you were feeling ill. I have a plan to go to Paris again this year. I hope i could try that duck, looks delicious.
Thanks for this sharing
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