NO REGRETS - PARIS, FRANCE - DAY 12

Paris!!!

I only slept four hours in Belgium before we had to get up and catch the train into Paris. When we arrive, I’m starting to remember some of my French, and Kay is complaining about how we can’t seem to exit the station, and “Why doesn’t anyone work here”?! I simply respond with, “Welcome to France”.

We finagle our way to the Airbnb, and are staying with a sweet, old grandma. Kay is terrified and notes that she’s really clumsy, and there are a MILLION breakable tchotchkes IN EVERY CORNER of this old lady’s place! We're both extra careful when maneuvering our massive packs to our room, and dropping our stuff.

We thank the lady, and rush out for our day. We see the Eiffel Tower and shoot a million photos. It’s surreal for me to be back 15 years later when we lived in France, but it’s just as crowded, and just as beautiful.

Per my request, we later take an hour walk to Montmartre, the Artists’ District. We climb up the numerous steps to Sacre-Coeur and enjoy the overlook of the city, including a small sighting of Notre Dame. Kay has a confession to make. To her, the city of Paris is a bit underwhelming. Honestly, I'm not surprised. I've been hearing this through the vine on the Internet from other travelers experiencing this city for the first time. I think for me, I only love it because I have history here. I can see her point- Hollywood has romanticized it to be far better than what it is. Personally, other areas of France I believe are, or would be more appeasing- The Mediterranean and the countryside especially. After spending a year of growing up in Mougins, I have a tremendous soft spot for Monaco, Cannes, and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. And I imagine that I would love to spend time in Nantes, Luberon and Dijon if I get the chance one day.

We continue our trek, and pass the "Rodeo Drive" of Paris, L'Arc De Triomphe in the distance, multiple galleries, and the Moulin Rouge cabaret. We get cat-called by some men in passing, and then meet up with the twins, Isa and Alex. They caught up with us after work and before a birthday party, and bought us drinks. It was so good to see them! We've been keeping up through social media, but haven't seen each other since Ekero in Sweden, maybe 16 years ago. Like with Kay, the moment we start talking, it was like no time had passed. Isa and Alex both have prestigious careers at top tier fashion maisons. It's so funny to hear Alex talk about it, because it's always, "This one time with Karl", or "This thing happened with Karl,...". Most people dream of this stuff, but it comes out so casual- She even hung out with Pharell! She told me this when she noticed my shoes- I guess they're kind of buddies haha! How fun! They're both doing great, happy with their partners, and making a good life for themselves. Kay and I tell them about us as well. Like myself, the girls are really impressed with Kay becoming an E.R. Doctor, and they think my profession is cool too. It's wild to see how we're all growing up, and carving our own paths in life. The girls and I also talk about our number four, Leo. They catch me up on what they know, we reminisce of Ekero and spending a chunk of our childhoods there, growing up with each other, and miss him not being with us now, *(he's still in Sweden). Alex shifts gears and mentions that she'll will be coming with her boyfriend to the States to see us this August. The girls have to split for their friend's birthday party, but invite us to hang with them in their apartment tomorrow night for a homemade meal at Alex's place with Lisa’s sister. So we’ll meet them again.

After we say our goodbyes, we cart off to get dinner at a gyro place. And, (also per my request), we go to the Buddha Bar. I wanted to go there just to say I went because I grew up listening to their music. It was very cool to be in the place where it all started, however, it was as expected, VERY bougie. We ordered the cheapest wine, but it was still expensive... And it tasted horrible haha! The moment we put the glass to our lips, we look at each other and our mouths pucker in disgust. We could barely take it down- It was like a punishment for being poor. Makes me laugh, but it's still a very cool place to lounge, and the music was my favorite part.

After that, we went back to the Eiffel Tower to see it lit up. In my opinion, I think it’s even more spectacular in the evening.

We got in late / early and crashed.

Love you!

-eM