Bonjour!

And so I am in PARIS! City of lights, romance and fashion capital of the world. We have been having a brilliant time, everything here is just magical and it feels almost impossible to put into words the way Paris makes you feel. It’s the way you smile as you see a couple holding hands, a child running through the street or an older gentlemen dressed immaculately. Everything is wonderful.

Thus far we have seen lots of Saint Germain just by wandering (and not being very good at readying maps), the Lourve (though we didn’t go in), Champs Elyees and the Arc de Trioumph. Many gardens have been walked through, streets walked down and we even managed a trip on the Metro without getting stuck somewhere on the other side of Paris.

While I came here with no French, and can’t say I still know any really, I’ve managed to make a few purchases without offending anyone, ask for help and directions and greet anyone I’ve come across. I am trying really hard to get run over – seriously keep forgetting which way the traffic comes and everyone here drives in the most crazy manner!

Shops have been, for the most part, closed today (Sunday) so that fun will begin tomorrow but in terms of food, we have had macaroons, crepes, coffee and cheese – all of which is so divine and I already feel my waistline expanding, despite all the walking.

Our apartment is lovely, quite chic, but smaller than we imagined. Not that this is a bad thing – the building is lovely and a very sweet place to return to after a day out in gay Paree!

So much to see, so much to do, so much to buy! Weather is more than perfect, clear Spring days where it is cool in the morning (about 8 degrees) before warming up to about 20 degrees where in the  sun you don’t need a jacket. Evening is cool but pleasant and it doesn’t get dark until 9pm.

Gertrude Stein (and Sabrina) once said, ‘America is my country, but Paris is my hometown.’

Australia might be my country (and America might be Miss J’s) but Paris could very well be our home one day.

Au Revoir!

Image One: Me at the Jardin du Luxembourg
Image Two: Pastries at the organic market, Raspail
Image Three: Cute Visual Merchandising at a store in Saint Germain
All images thanks to Jennifer Estrada (and more to come when I get home!)