What is Paris?

When you think of Paris, chances are that the first things to come to your mind is the Eiffel Tower or maybe the Notre Dame, Louvre, Jardin du Tuileries or Luxembourg or crepes, maybe? While all those things are a part of Paris, the city is about SO much more than that.

When I find myself reminiscing about my beautiful city [yes, my city ;)] I find my mind wandering to all the little details and experiences that really make Paris what it is. 

The smell of croissants filling the air on my way to work in the dark, early morning. 

The lines outside the boulangeries at 5 pm for the nightly baguette. 

The way the light reflects off the building along the Seine at the end of the day. 

The early morning/late night crepe complete walking home after a fun night with friends. 

Sunday mornings at the market.

Drinking cheap wine and eating bread and cheese on the Seine while the day changes to night.

Afternoon runs through the city and into the Jardin des Plantes and Sunday morning runs along the Seine.

Walking 45 minutes home instead of taking the metro because you just want to be in the city and take it all in.

Exploring an exciting new restaurant or wine bar with friends. 

Savoring the foie gras while standing shoulder to shoulder with strangers at l'Avant Comptior. 

Making French bread pizzas on weekday nights with Coco. 

Catching the Eiffel sparkling on your walk home at night while the moon and the city lights reflect on the Seine.

Racing to try to catch the metro only to be shut out at the last second.

Finding inspiration on every corner. Zesting for life.

Watching all the French girls be so sophisticated and trying to capture a sixteenth of their chic-ness. 

Walking around aimlessly and just feeling such bliss and awe that you are lucky enough to call a place like Paris your home.

I miss Paris and my friends and everything about it all the time. It still catches me off guard when I realize how long ago I left. Its already been 8 months? I can't believe that. The truth is that living and truly experiencing a place like Paris changes you. It stays with you forever and a part of your heart will always live in the city of lights until you return again.

Have you ever felt this way about a place you've been? 

The view from the top

Of the Eiffel Tower is breathtaking. Can you believe that it was in my FINAL week of living in Paris that I finally made my way to the top of Eiffel? Talk about procrastination. 

My friend Danielle and I had such a great time in our last weeks. We made a point of doing as many of the things that we never got around to doing throughout the year like going to the Army Museum, one more shopping trip to Oshyo, going to the top and just walking the streets together. It was an awesome way to conclude an incredible year.

We waited and waited and waited some more until we finally got to step onto the lift that took us up. We had both been up to the 1st and 2nd level of Eiffel but this was the first view from the very top and it was perfect. 

Paris is hands down the most beautiful city you will ever see. From the ground to the air there is beauty all around you. The buildings, the streets, the sky, the people, the parks...its simply perfect.

I miss my beloved Paris and my amazing friends so much. I am really grateful that we made the effort to take the trip to the top.