Paris in Review

No matter how much I travel or what corner of the world I'm in, I will always get homesick.

While some people are getting homesick for familiar surroundings, family and friends, I am missing my boyfriend the most.

Who can deny that Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world? Beautiful people, beautiful language, beautiful food, beautiful music, beautiful clothes and beautiful art make for a breathtaking city. Who else but to share it with someone you love?

At first I was taken aback by the excessive PDA; I saw PDA on the trains, outside the Metro, at landmarks, in cafes, everywhere...but Paris has shown me that love is a beautiful thing.

While we were waiting in line for the lift at the Eiffel Tower, a few of us spotted an elderly couple in line and couldn't help but watch them hold hands and eat croissants together while patiently waiting amidst the chaos and noise coming from other tourists.

That simple moment made me realize that traveling is not a checklist of "been-there, done-that" or how many souvenirs I can fit into my suitcase, but it's about perseverance, patience, understanding, openness, and most importantly, love and the wisdom to seek knowledge and share knowledge.

Picture Perfect Paris

*I can't upload any pictures from my camera because I forgot my cord at home, so if anybody has an SD card reader please let me know! Pictures are from my phone, excuse the quality.

Paris in Fast Forward

Can someone help me find the pause button, s'il vous plait?

I want to remember what rue Cler looked like the first night we arrived, rainy and glowing in the dark with blue lights hanging above the people tucked away in cozy cafes. I want to remember the first time I bought lunch at a bakery and had to use my awful French for the first time. I want to remember all the little French school children getting out of school down the street and the cute men who work at the poissonnerie across the street from the hotel, but it feels like this trip keeps speeding right past me.

Our hotel is located on one of the most perfect and picturesque streets in Paris, rue Cler. You can't get more French than this -- everything from wine shops to flower shops line this little charming street located in the 7th arrondissement, or district.

The best part of being on this street is people watching and eavesdropping. (Journalists are inherently nosey.) The people are so French here! You see people going to the fromagerie (cheese shop), people carrying baguettes, old French gentlemen carrying bouquets of flowers, little school children excitedly talking as they buy macarons on the way home from school. It feels like an old French movie, if only I could find the pause button.

Being on this street helped me understand the French way of life more clearly. The French seem much more social, even affectionate, towards each other than Americans are towards each other. Restaurants are filled every night of the week with groups or couples and people are always quietly talking in cafes over espressos. Even grocery shopping is very social. Since shopping happens every day (French people prefer fresh food), people see each other regularly and talk often. And I thought I was close to the deli man at Jewel-Osco.

I'm just starting to become a regular at Artisan Boulanger Patissier (cheap sandwiches when you're in a hurry), but we're already leaving in a few days. Where has the time gone?

Doing the France Dance with my French Friends

Just like the picture says: -Life Is Beautiful-

I have only been in Paris for five days, and I can honestly say I made one friend. Her name is… Ms. French Phone Operator.

I know what you’re thinking, “Alessandra, why are you blogging about the French phone operator and who are you calling.” Don’t worry I was not calling my dear friend Mr. Sarkozy, but instead was trying to get a hold of my family friend Roxeane who lives in Paris.

I can’t explain how disappointing and frustrating it is to sit in front of a phone and dial a number multiple times, to hear in French that the number is not correct. Even after having tried all forms of the 001+33+[ number], I still received the same result- Ms. French Operator.

Finally, after 1789 tries my call finally went through, and I was so excited to speak to Roxeane. Shortly after our conversation, we met up in San Paul (Jewish Quarter in Paris) and we waited in line for about an hour to get into a small restaurant called L’as Du Fallafel. The food was beyond fantastic. No falafel will ever compare to the one I ate on January 9, 2011. After lunch, we walked around, and stopped inside a jewelry store that had English phrases on the wall. I took plenty of pictures. Then Roxane, her mother Nathalie and I stopped for espresso and cappuccino at La Brasserie de L'isle saint- Louis. La Brasserie de L'isle saint- Louis is a famous cafe that has been around since the 1930's. I was amazed the town (San Paul) had so many vintage stores and authentic restaurants.

Even though it was a hassle figuring out the phone number, I enjoyed spending the day with my friend and her mother. I learned so much about the Jewish Quarter and ate so well. So, to Roxeane and her mother Nathalie, thank you for the wonderful day, and thank you L’as Du Fallafel for making my taste buds so happy.

However, now since I know how to make a telephone call I think I miss my friend…Ms. French phone operator.

Pleasure of Paris

BONJOUR! I'm about to get real here. Food is my jam, like if I didn't eat elephant servings for every meal I wouldn't have to run 30 miles a week (actually, that's a joke, I run because I enjoy it... not because I think I'm fat, I don't have little girl body issues DON'T WORRY). My friend Eli from back home told me about this falafel restaurant in the Jewish quarter here in Paris I had to check out, so of course I jumped at the opportunity once I had some free time. You guys, Eli was right, this falafel place called L'AS DU FALLAFEL was magique (magical). This sandwich brought out some intense emotions in me. I can't even describe it... it's indescribable. My sour mood instantly turned happy. I ordered the vegetarian special which is what I suggest ordering, it was 5 euros and took less than 30 seconds to make. They ask if you want it spicy, say YES! It's not that spicy, but it brings out some serious flavor. I enjoyed it so much I'm going back for our next free meal tomorrow. I took pictures which you can check out above but don't worry, I'm going to make Alessandra record me eating it because you just have to see the pleasure this falafel brings out in me.

Ladies and gentleman, if you have a free meal please check this place out. It's off the Saint-Paul stop on the 1 line. It will change your life, it did for me.

{video}