Paris is still Paris
Excerpt from a personal blog written during a 2017 European backpacking trip.
What do you do when it rains in Paris? Drink wine, eat charcuterie, and occasionally take a glance at the Eiffel Tower.
Despite 2 Italian sleeping pills, I managed to stay awake for nearly the entire 8 and half hour flight here. I had a lot of time to think - and finally realize the reality that was ahead of me for the next 20 days. It's pretty incredible to imagine Sam and I are on this trip together to create some unforgettable experiences while meeting people from across the world.
What Sam is most excited for: winging it and stumbling across something awesome and beautiful. It's all about the story.
What I am most excited for: discovering a new part of our relationship while we are traveling & learning how to comfort each other in the many uncomfortable situations we may (will) encounter while backpacking!
Having traveled to Paris before, I was looking forward to seeing what new experiences I would have there with Sam. A city that needs no introductions, it is the elite European city that everyone dreams to visit. Paris always calls to those that listen, and for me it was time to once again visit the city of love. This time, with the one I love!
This is Paris. Parisians lingering at brunch and enjoying civil debates about the current political happenings or what restaurant is opening up in town. Store owners, grocers, and numerous vendors expect a bonjour and an au revoir. Happy hours, yes, it is plural here, happening on the sidewalk patios under small awnings. Fresh bread at the boulangerie, delicate, buttery, flakey pastries at the patisserie, and meat from a boucherie. There is only one kind of salad dressing and I still don't know the name of it. Nutella and crepes are everywhere. People flood to the open parks and public markets in every district and little kids on the metro act like tiny adults. Dogs riding the bus and sitting at the table at dinner is completely normal but no one dares to pick up dog poo because, well, I don't know.....
Despite all of these happenings, Paris est toujours Paris, and it is pretty amazing.