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

Paris and the Seine River

After a long and sleepless flight, Riley caught a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower as we touched ground in Paris.

She looked over at me with tears in her eyes, her grateful smile hidden behind her mask. I knew what she was feeling. It was overwhelming joy.

Leaving Toronto was a breeze. Yes, there were very long lines but we were pampered with VIP service, arrived 4 hours early and bypassed it all. A guilty pleasure having amazing friends at the airport and we were most grateful.

The flight was smooth but not without some excitement. A man was very aggressive with the in-flight crew, refused to take his seat repeatedly until  threatened with legal action. No idea why he was so irate... but he was arrested and removed from the aircraft by the French Police upon arrival.

Then a woman 3 rows in front of me fainted and fell out of her seat and hit her head. They turned all the lights on and went into panic mode, paging for a doctor on board. There actually was one. He came over, checked her blood pressure and stayed with her. The excitement surrounding her episode and her well being continued into the remainder of the flight.

After leaving the aircraft in Paris we did have to contend with very long lines in Immigration with vaccination checks slowing the process down.  

We debated an1hr bus or 40 minute train ride from the airport into the city while trying not to get cranky about being hungry and tired and sore and dehydrated. We opted for the train and rode with mostly locals and a few other tourists. It was simple and smart BUT under construction in sections and stopped about 4 stops shy of our destination. We had to now recalculate and adjust our plan. We hopped on a bus from close to where the train stopped and it took us to the base of the Eiffel Tower, near our hotel. 

It was easy enough to navigate and people have been friendly and helpful. It did however make for a very long day.

We were so out of sorts but felt better after finding a patio and had lunch. It was 230pm and of course I ordered wine with my amazing falafel veggie bowl but realized soon after, that my body was still on Canada time. It was only 0830 am at home... my friends were heading off to work and I was already drinking 🤣🍷

We managed a quick nap but forced ourselves up and out to take advantage of the tickets I pre purchased online. We went on a 1hr river cruise on the Seine at 7pm and went to the Eiffel Tower at 8pm for a beautiful sunset. 

The cruise was a lovely way to see the city's river banks crowded with lovers both young and old, some dancing, some walking hand in hand and some chatting over wine and a baguette. 

Many friends gathering and celebrating life on a Friday night. I know it is where I would spend every sunset if I lived in Paris. The rich history and architecture along the river looked exceptional in the golden hour.

The ever present Eiffel Tower was calling us and we answered. We had some delicious ice cream to fuel us up the many, many steps to the 1st and 2nd level.

The views of the city were spectacular in every direction. We were also blessed with a peach and pink sunset that reflected off the calm River Seine. Then as the sky went back to blue, the Tower illuminated and everybody there fell in love with it all over again. 

We hit up another patio and Riley had a cocktail... to keep my wine company. I had a late night omelette and it was just what I needed. Riley inhaled a steak and cheese sandwich and we both are now feeling well adjusted. The legs might need another day after all those stairs! 

Sending love and light from Paris!

Bon nuit mes amies

Dream a little dream...

Paris. The City of Light and the City of Love. I don’t know anyone who couldn’t use a little of both right now. In fact I know a 16 year old girl who as a small child would dream of someday going to Paris.

 Tomorrow, I get the pleasure of seeing that dream come true. There was a time when having a little girl was just a dream of mine.... and now, 16 years later, we’re on our way to Paris together.

 “If you can dream it, you can do it” ~ Walt Disney. 

 It wasn’t until just a few days ago that I let myself believe this trip was actually going to happen. It has been a difficult year for all of us. In a perfect world the challenges we have faced would have brought us all together but this is not a perfect world. In reality, we are tired, we are confused and we are divided. Perhaps we can all agree on what we have been reminded of in the past year. The value of life, the value of time and the value of love. They are all fleeting. The only time we have for certain is now. We have to take a step forward and reclaim our lives, our futures and our dreams. We just have to do it carefully. Not with fear but with caution and compassion. I have always believed that the universe unfolds as its meant to. If I wasn’t meant to be in Paris this weekend with my daughter celebrating life, I simply wouldn’t be. After just a few days, Riley will return home to attend school and I will continue on a journey of 800kms. I will share the adventure with you through photos and likely a candid journal of the shenanigans on my solo trek along the Atlantic coast of France and Spain. Until then, this is your invitation to experience the love and light of Paris with us. Au revoir mes amis!