After loving Rome as much as I did, Stew wanted to make sure I loved Paris just as much, if not more. The following weekend, we made out way back to Paris to explore the city. Paris is my favorite city I have ever been to. Hands down. I never wanted to leave. I don't think I could get enough time in that city. I love it. We didn't exactly have the trip planned out. We basically just floated from one place to the next. We went to the museums, the gardens, the shops, and some other little treasures we found. I previously posted about the restaurant we ate our first night night there, Guy Savoy. The bar was set pretty high for my first night back in Paris. But wait, it gets better. The next night after a long day of adventuring and sight seeing, Stew found another 3 star Michelin restaurant that we ended up getting a reservation at, Le Pré Catelan. If my taste buds weren't already on a high from the night before, they were taken to cloud 9. We got to have a little romantic dinner, that definitely was the best meal I have ever had in my life. Everything was perfect.
Before I forget I have to tell you about Angelina. Just the most amazing famous little restaurant/pastry shop. They have the world's best hot chocolate. Trust me, I tried it. If you ever go, get the "Le Mont Blanc". It will change your life.
Aside from the food, the trip was also wonderful. We found the famous flea market in Paris and spend most of the day there searching for treasures. I just kept wishing I had more time in the city. I found out how much I really loved the city lights. I loved passing bridges with thousands of locks on them where people locked their love. One of my favorite things in the whole city was seeing the Eiffel Tower at night when it lights up and sparkles at the start of every hour. Seeing it with Stew made it that much more special. Something to add to your bucket list.
Sunday is my favorite day. It is my special day of the week I try to be uplifted in every way possible to start the new week fresh with a better perspective than the last. I saw this video today & could not help but share it.
In case you needed a little pick me up or reminder of how blessed you are.
I am fully aware that I am months behind, so I am going to catch you up..or give my best attempt anyway. I figured one of the first adventures I took when I got here was a good starting point. For my birthday, my sweet boyfriend planned a weekend trip to Chamonix, France with two close friends from school(Beatriz & Catarina). We rented a car, and made the long drive up to the Alps. Stew will probably kill me for sharing this story, but I just have to. To get to Chamonix there is a huge tunnel you have to go through. It connects where France & Italy meet. Before you go through the tunnel, you have to pay a fee, you get a brochure on specific instructions and rules to follow in the tunnel. You have to go x amount of mph but not over x amount, you must keep x amount of meters between you and the car ahead, you must listen to the rules on a special radio station before & while in the tunnel...you get the drill. While we were CRUISING through the tunnel, I thought I saw a flash. We thought it was the girls taking pictures in the back seat, so we continued on. Keep in mind, this tunnel takes forever to get to the other side. We saw another flash, & quickly realized that it did not belong to a camera inside the car, but outside. Great. When we got out of the tunnel there were a few Police waiting. They gestured for us to stop. We got 3 speeding tickets in the tunnel. Two in Italy, and one in France. It was a downer way to start the trip, but we couldn't help but laugh. I am not sure I have ever met anyone else who can say they got three speeding tickets within a ten minutes time frame, in two different countries.
The weekend we went, there was actually a huge ski event so the little town was packed with people. I can't even tell you how many times I heard or said "This place is beautiful". It literally looks like Narnia. We found the best restaurant for my "birthday dinner". After getting some proper snow gear, we had some fun in the Alps. One of my favorites, was taking the Panoramic Mont-Blanc Gondola to the very tip top of the mountain. 3,842 meters high. Literally the tip top. It is the highest cable car traverse in the world. You are literally hanging by a cable nearly 2.5 miles above the ground. Ask me if I was scared. Pretty sure I stopped breathing a few times. Then again that could have also been the altitude. The view from the top was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It was a perfect birthday.
It is hard to believe, but my time in this beautiful city is coming to an end soon. Tickets are booked. Real life is just around the corner. I know I am way behind on my blog, but I will get you caught up in time. Going on this adventure has been one of the best things I have ever done. I have: Met the most amazing people from all over the world. Traveled to 4 different countries since I arrived. Learned to speak some French. Eaten the best food in the world. Gotten three speeding tickets in two different countries within a tin minute time frame. Learned to love the small details. Let a 14-year-old become my personal hair stylist. Mastered making crepes with my friend Julie(my friend from Canada). Found my favorite restaurant in town. Been to the international pub so many times for the live music I could probably sing you their whole set list. Been to the famous little ice cream stand in old town so many times with Beatriz & Catarina(my friends from Brazil)that they recognize us. Found out how much I really love to travel.
& the best part is, I still have four weeks here.
