It feels as although our trip has flown by, when in actual fact there have been periods of time while we have been in Paris where I thought the moment would never end.
Most of these moments come when I’m so cold I can no longer feel my feet and wonder if I will ever be warm again, but really, the magic of Paris still enchants me and when we head home in 2 days time, I know I will be counting the days until I can return.
Our second week has been busy, but not in the same way the first week was. Our sleep ins are longer; we have done less work. Our days start later, but go into the night. We’ve walked miles, met new people and finally reached a point where we feel perhaps we’ve done enough shopping. Skype chats with home stretch to over an hour and afternoon naps are a necessity.
We miss Melboune coffee, a good brunch and the warmth of the sun. There is no denying Paris in winter is beautiful, but I do love the sparkle of the sun on the Yarra in Melbourne, and I relish the thought of wearing only one layer of clothing.
On Wednesday the weather thwarted our plans to visit Sacre Coeur, and after a hearty brunch at Breakfast in America (think eggs, bacon, pancakes, milkshakes, burgers and fries), and more shopping, we enjoyed a quiet afternoon. Sarah had a massage booked for Wednesday evening, at the most divine Nuxe spa, and given I was just crashing in the waiting room for the hour, the staff were more than accomodating.
Thursday was the only morning on the entire trip we have left the house before 11am. Walking out the door to join the peak hour commuters at 9.30am was quite the novelty, and while nothing is actually open in Paris at that hour (I have no idea where they were all going), it was fun to imagine what it would be like to be heading to work in Paris.
Our destination was the Sugar Daze cupcakes, a New York style bakery, where we would particiapte in the Kasia Dietz bag making workshop – a new friend we had found on Twitter. Kasia and the other four girls participating made us feel more than welcome and we set to sketching and mocking up what we wanted our calico bags to look like.
Paint, texta, stencils and scissors adorned the table, and three hours (and 2 pieces of cake) later, we each went home with our very own personalized bag design. Riding the bus back to le Marais was a treat, rather than the Metro that runs underground. It might take a touch longer but worth it just for the sights.
Thursday night we popped to the bar across the road to meet Jennifer from L’amour or Less, and Alex (from Melbourne), whom Sarah had met in Paris on her last visit. Following a bottle of champagne at home, and several glasses at the bar, it was safe to say that when we returned home several hours later, I was very happy to see my bed (after Sarah whipped up some fries in our oven. My hero!)
Our last weekday in Paris took us to Cafe Charlot to meet Kasia for brunch where I was delighted to discover it was the same cafe I had brunched in with Jennie when I was in Paris two years ago. We even sat at the same table! Our eggs and bacon really hit the spot for my hangover and the fresh air was quite the blessing in hindsight. We wandered the streets of le Marais, disovered just how very Fitzroy it is here, and finally ended up back at our apartment where I napped, had a bath and read for three hours.
Now the final two days are here and while I still think there is so much of Paris to see and do, I can’t help but want to save something for next time – not that I will need a reason to return!
Now…
And then!
