back in Paris
arrived back to Paris yesterday morning. I'm not sure if it's because I returned to where I started my trip or whether this brings my trip to a close, but coming back to Paris felt like a small homecoming. I really love it here. If I were to chose a favorite city of all the places I've visited, I would probably have to choose Paris. All the other cities were also beautiful and interesting but there's something intangible here that's hard to describe. There is just so much to do in this city and there's a little something for everybody. Also, being in a place where you can understand the basics makes a huge difference in experiencing it more authentically.
I arrived on Bastille Day (July 14th), which commemorates the French Revolution. I wasn't even home for Independence Day but I'm here in France for theirs. Go figure. Apparently, the celebrations start on the 13th and continue on the 14th, where there's a parade in the morning down Champs Elysees and fireworks in the evening. Everywhere in the city, you saw French flags waving proudly. Also, throughout the day, you heard planes overhead. Back home in SF, these were called the Blue Angels, I'm not sure what they're officially called. On Sat. I went on a walking tour of the city, then visited the Musee d'Orsay and the St. Germain des Pres area in the early evening before viewing the fireworks.
I really enjoyed strolling down Blvd St Germain. Stopped at Les Deux Magots, a historic cafe where many famous philosophers (Sartre, Beauvoir) as well as literary greats met, mingled and wrote some of their famous works. The cafe is named such after the two wooden chinese figures in the cafe. I'm assuming its illustrious history is the reason why it was packed and my run of the mill coffee cost 4 euros. Nevertheless, I enjoyed sitting there and sipping my coffee. The best part was that the woman sitting next to me also happened to be American and we started chatting. She suggested that I visit Gerard Mulot (patisserie) as well as the Poilane boulangerie. I did find Gerard Mulot and their pastries were gorgeous! They were truly pieces of art. (Sorry to say this but Finale in Harvard Sq. doesn't come close). See picture, need I say more? I hadn't found Poilane yet but I hope to visit tomorrow. I had read somewhere that the daughter is now running the family business after her parents tragic passing. She apparently is/was a Harvard undergrad and runs the business overseas.
The fireworks were scheduled for 10:30pm, where the best viewing would be in front of the Eiffel Tower/Champs de Mars area. I thought that I would avoid the huge crowds by going up to Montmartre and seeing the fireworks from the hill. But there were also a TON of people there and I could barely see the fireworks. Although it was cool to be out in the Montmartre area, it was very difficult to move anywhere. Would've been best to stake out a prime viewing location hours earlier. Doable in theory but that strategy is best when you have friends to keep your spot. Reminds me why I usually don't bother going to see the fireworks on July 4th...
I arrived on Bastille Day (July 14th), which commemorates the French Revolution. I wasn't even home for Independence Day but I'm here in France for theirs. Go figure. Apparently, the celebrations start on the 13th and continue on the 14th, where there's a parade in the morning down Champs Elysees and fireworks in the evening. Everywhere in the city, you saw French flags waving proudly. Also, throughout the day, you heard planes overhead. Back home in SF, these were called the Blue Angels, I'm not sure what they're officially called. On Sat. I went on a walking tour of the city, then visited the Musee d'Orsay and the St. Germain des Pres area in the early evening before viewing the fireworks.
I really enjoyed strolling down Blvd St Germain. Stopped at Les Deux Magots, a historic cafe where many famous philosophers (Sartre, Beauvoir) as well as literary greats met, mingled and wrote some of their famous works. The cafe is named such after the two wooden chinese figures in the cafe. I'm assuming its illustrious history is the reason why it was packed and my run of the mill coffee cost 4 euros. Nevertheless, I enjoyed sitting there and sipping my coffee. The best part was that the woman sitting next to me also happened to be American and we started chatting. She suggested that I visit Gerard Mulot (patisserie) as well as the Poilane boulangerie. I did find Gerard Mulot and their pastries were gorgeous! They were truly pieces of art. (Sorry to say this but Finale in Harvard Sq. doesn't come close). See picture, need I say more? I hadn't found Poilane yet but I hope to visit tomorrow. I had read somewhere that the daughter is now running the family business after her parents tragic passing. She apparently is/was a Harvard undergrad and runs the business overseas.
The fireworks were scheduled for 10:30pm, where the best viewing would be in front of the Eiffel Tower/Champs de Mars area. I thought that I would avoid the huge crowds by going up to Montmartre and seeing the fireworks from the hill. But there were also a TON of people there and I could barely see the fireworks. Although it was cool to be out in the Montmartre area, it was very difficult to move anywhere. Would've been best to stake out a prime viewing location hours earlier. Doable in theory but that strategy is best when you have friends to keep your spot. Reminds me why I usually don't bother going to see the fireworks on July 4th...
Very yummy Sue. Can't wait for you tome come home.
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10:11 PM