Paris Encore

My last time in Paris... I can't believe it. I've spent so much time getting to know this city, and it's become a part of who I am. I am not ready to leave it behind,  not knowing when (or even if) I will return.

I spent most of the weekend with my friend Kayla, who studied in Dublin, and her wonderful Texan family. It was their first time in Paris, so I took it upon myself to show them around. I think I succeeded in making the girls love it almost as much as I do.

After seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, Kayla told me, "I finally understand what you meant when you said that Paris is magical."

We ate dinner the first night at Place des Vosges, a beautiful square in the Marais. I tried both steak tartar and escargot. And I liked both.

We went back to my favorite church, Saint-Etienne, we ate fresh galettes from my favorite street vendor, we visited the Jardin de Luxembourg, and we made an afternoon trip to Versailles.

I hated, HATED, detested, felt sick, couldn't stand, ne peut pas supporter, the inside of that palace. Too many people in too small a space. However, the gardens were gorgeous... so big! It is impossible to convey the sheer size of the place until you see it for yourself. 

I slept each night with my friend Julie, who is studying at Sciences Po in Paris, and I got to stay in her apartment (which I just accidentally spelled apartement... proof that I now think in French), which was a nice change.

Each night, we went out to drink by the Seine. The first night, we went to Julie's French friend's birthday gathering on the Pont des Arts, a pedestrian bridge just after the Ile de la Cite which is crowded from end to end with jeunes Parisians drinking and picnicking and watching the sunset over the river and the Tour Eiffel.

I also tried the famous Laduree macarons, which were delicious. I had rose, cassis, and coconut.

It was a good trip, but I still left so much undone. I need more time in this city... I can feel myself fitting into it, finding my place, and leaving is so hard.