The Paris Traveler

Well, here I am all tucked away in 25 rue des Grand Augustins in the 6th arrondissement.  A mere 24 hours of being awake and traveling to get to Paris but it is always worth it.  My flight took only 7 hours from Chicago which is an hour and 50 minutes quicker than it should be.  Of course, me, the only person on the planet that has failed Fearful Flyers course (I’m sure you think I”m kidding but so am not!) could only think of how fast we must have been going, how high we were to find smoother air and how strong the tail winds were to make the trip that quickly.  But the steward took care of all my worries with, “Madame, an apéritif perhaps? 

 I think the whole bottle of champagne you’re holding there will be just fine thanks. After that, a little bottle of wine with my shrimp ravioli and I almost had my heart rate back to normal.  With absolutely everything going smoothly from the flight, going through customs, having my bag being the second one out, I arrived at my final destination two hours earlier than originally planned.   With no one to meet me at the apartment, I walked the streets of Paris with a very large suitcase, trying to find a spot as close as possible to get some breakfast and wait.  And look what was just around the corner!   As tired as I was, I knew it would be a safe bet. After a quick nap in my loft bed with exposed beams from the 18th century just a mere 24 inches over my head (it is REALLY cozy!) I got myself moving again so I sleep through the night tonight and get my body on this time zone.   Had to find some lunch and since I was still fuzzy and out of sorts I went with what is familiar again, 

Les editeurs–a cozy little café that is very much like sitting in a library with comfy chairs, paneled bookcases jammed with books, lighting that you might find in some of the beautiful, old librarys that were built in another era and on top of all that, they serve really good food.  Plus, and this is huge if you are going over for the first time, the staff is warm, friendly and accommodating.  They remembered me from the last time I was there in November.  I love stuff like that!

The rest of the afternoon was spent trying awesomely (is that a word) fun clothes and shoes at Zara, a chain store here similar to Banana Republic in the states but not.  Funkier and cheaper–well not with the dollar the way it is!  Then grocery shopping at Monoprix which is like Target but not–Target’s better.  But Monoprix does have FABULOUS cheese and breads and oily tomatoes that are going to my dinner, along with a Bordeaux that I discovered here and love.   

I could write tons more as the day, as simple as it was, was amazing for me.  As it always is when I am here.  I am fading and want to get this post up.  We will have tons to talk about over the next little while so you be sure to stay tuned! 

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