Just one banana sil vous plait

Today was full of new experiences. I didn't know buying a banana could be such a challenge.

We woke up by 7 (actually tried for 6am but it just didn't happen)

We stored our big bags at our hotel after checking out and made a stop at our neighbourhood grocer to start our day. I figured a banana was a healthy choice and would hold me over until I found coffee. This grocery store was self check out only. I took my banana to the computer but it was all in French. Unable to read it, I went into panic mode "abort, abort". A french man came to my rescue. He took my banana to another machine with a scale, pressed some buttons and a little sticker printed out indicating that my banana cost me .29€

Then I went back to the machine and he showed me how to pay with cash....

It was a little stressful and mildly embaressing but my healthy breakfast was worth it. 

We walked past the Eiffel Tower to the Champ de Mars, goofed off in the fields taking pictures and then found a corner café for a real coffee.

 Café au lait and a croissant for Riley.

 We strolled the city streets, saw the tunnel where Princess Diana died and her memorial. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

We ended up at the Arc de Triomphe and it was under construction. Of course, everything is.

It's summertime. There was an extremely heavy police presence today and that brought us both a little anxiety. It was as if they knew something we didn't know and shit was about to get real. 

We were easily distracted on the Champs-Elysées by the endless shops that we couldn't afford to shop in. My favourite, without question,  was Christian Dior. Crisp, white, clean and classic. The entire store. Including the spiral staircase that looked like the inside of a sea shell.

We soon left the heavily populated shopping district to have yet another café au lait on yet another fabulous Parisienne patio and just let the time pass us by.

Somebody's tired little legs (not mine hahaha) had us heading back to our hotel to pick up our bags, bypassing again the Eiffel Tower. This time we walked along the quiet side of the River Seine and it was just the kind of peace we needed after a morning of busy city sidewalks.

We stopped back into the banana store for ham, cheese and cold, white wine for an affordable lunch snack. We collected our bags and waited for a taxi to take us to our new neighbourhood across town.

Like most taxi drivers, this guy was angry and aggressive. He drove like his wife was about to give birth and he was late for the big event. The most surreal moment was revisiting "Princess Diana's tunnel" at high speed with a grumpy taxi driver. There was a bit of heavy traffic to exasperate him further yet he somehow managed to calmly scroll through facebook on his cell phone at every red light. He dropped us off not a minute too soon and drove away as soon as my euros touched his hand. We forgot him quickly when we stepped into the chic boutique lobby of our new home. It was so simple and fresh and so very lovely.

Our room was up one flight of stairs which was quite honestly a struggle with the 2 heavy bags but we did it! Riley was thrilled to see that we had two windows that fully opened up with wrought iron railings just like all other the Parisienne windows we have photographed since our arrival in France.

It was nice to settle in and relax but I am unable to stay still for long. 

Riley opted to stay in our room and rest while I went to explore the massive St Paul Cathedral just steps away. It was incredibly beautiful as most old churches are. I chose not to go to confession however... first of all, I'm not catholic and second, that would have taken way to long 🤣

I picked up Riley and we walked together for another coffee and more shopping. Bought her a beautiful dress and a black beret that looks like it was made for her. 

We did a little more walking and  sightseeing in the area until it was near 8pm and hunger kicked in hard and fast. Finding gluten free food here has been challenging and tonight was no exception. Being a Saturday night, the patios were full with locals and tourists and nobody was in a hurry to leave. We walked much farther than we should have but found a lovely little casual patio under a giant old tree on a quiet street.

I drank 2 glasses of a beautiful red wine from Bordeaux, ordered a gourmet burger and salad (the only gf option) and shared the absolute best crème brûlée I have ever had.

Riley and I talked and laughed all through dinner and it was truly a beautiful day from start to finish.

She is such an enjoyable young lady, kind and funny. I love that she will still proudly hold my hand.

Paris is stealing her heart for sure but she stole mine 16 years ago. ❤

Bon nuit x