“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” -Aldous Huxley

I had braced myself after hearing numerous warnings of the rude manner of French people… but I have to say, I was met with nothing but kindness and warmth where ever I went. People have conceptions of other cultures… but let’s face it, there are assholes and angels in every country. You get back what you put into the world and into your interaction with the people in it.

Actually, the only semi-strange and certainly awkward experience I had was with an American through couch surfing but I luckily found a nice room through AirBnB close to the metro.

With limited time in Paris, I was a bit stressed in planning. I only had one 1/2 mornings before work (I arrived at the airport at 10am on Thursday), one full day and three evenings before an early train departure on Sunday. Before beginning this trip, I had said my mantra would be ‘whatever I do and see will be enough’. But then you arrive in these amazing cities and want to do absolutely everything. Paris is huge and brilliant with much to offer, I had to consider what I really wanted to see versus what every guidebook and traveler told me I must see.

Cory, a friend from high school who I hadn’t talked to in awhile messaged me, we chatted a bit about travel and she offered a sentiment that brought me back to my mantra, “Sending my love, and my courage, and my assurance that whatever you’re doing however you’re doing it is just the way you should be doing it, you’re doing more than enough, it’s okay.”

These words were just the reminder I needed to embrace each moment and do the things that would make me happy instead of killing myself trying to fit everything in. So, I climbed the Eiffel Tower… strolled the broad and narrow streets of different neighborhoods… spent an hour getting ready for a date with myself to the Moulin Rouge (after I enjoyed a warm bubble bath listening to Boyz II Men)….  ate pastries and sipped coffee in adorable cafes… While I feel I am leaving with some unfinished business in Paris, I can say that my time there was perfect and just as it should have been.

There was something about Paris that felt lonely to me… part of me wished I had a companion with me in these moments, the other part was grateful to have the courage to do them on my own and still have fun.

A former co-worker who I never got to meet in person (I work for a remote company) just happened to be in Paris. I was scrolling Instagram and saw a picture he posted right about my picture of the Louvre. He was leading a workshop on living a creative life and invited me to check it out… it was a perfect way to spend my last morning in Paris.

Not only did I get to finally get to put a face to Rico’s amazing energy, intellect and kindness, but I got to spend the morning with the synapses in my brain shooting off like lightening… meeting inspiring people from all walks of life.

Later that evening, I met up with some of the friends I’d made in the workshop for a drink (students at Stanford). We talked about family, life, travel, dreams, inspirations… One asked me what my overall lesson would be from my journey thus far. I had to pause a moment and think back to the night before and my thought process as I, alone, watched the lights twinkling on the Eiffel Tower at midnight. I said my biggest lesson so far would be to not let the fear of being alone stop you from doing or trying anything.

Moments in Paris:
–Lizard Lounge: at Arnee’s suggestion I went to this supposedly wild and fun bar… I got there at 11:30pm and they had decided to close early so I snuck in one drink before catching the last train home… womp womp
–even the toilet paper in Paris is fancy… it’s pink!
-walking through Arc de Triomphe
-walking over 684 steps up Eiffel Tower
-strolling along Seine River
-passing through the Tuileries Garden and seeing the Louvre at night
–Sandemann’s NewParis Walking Tour Highlights: My tour guide’s name was Justine and a woman I befriended on the tour was named Jackie! It was a cute coincidence that made me smile. I learned the history of kings, queens, torture, revolutions… saw the Saint Michel Fountain, the Notre Dame de Paris (and learned how Victor Hugo saved this church from destruction with his writing of the Hunchback of Notre Dame), the Palace of Justice, the prison where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned before decapitation, Napoléon’s Tomb, the Académie Française, the Assemblée National, the Grand & Petit Palais, the Latin Quarter, the Pont Neuf, the Place de la Concorde, the Opéra Garnier, the Palais Royal, the Musée d’Orsay and an Obalesque.
-I walked down Champs-Elysées with Sophie and Tim, an awesome married couple from Sydney that I met on the tour
-I rushed to find the best viewing point of the Eiffel Tower’s twinkling light show, I started at Pont Alexander III (which was suggested on TripAdvisor as the best location) but then began walking toward it, feeling like I could find a better spot… which I did right before midnight!
-the beautiful La Saint Chapelle basilica, it was built in 13th century and has 15 high stained glass windows which make up most of the church
–And the highlight of my time in Paris… taking myself on a date night to the Moulin Rouge!! This cabaret has been open since 1889 and was obviously made famous by the movie (“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”). I saw the can can, phenomenal costumes, talented performances, beautiful sets, a woman dive into a pool that rose from the ground filled with 6 anacondas that she wrestled with, a couple on roller skates performing very dangerous, impressive stunt, incredible acrobatics anddddddd I was asked to come on stage where I performed in front of 850 people (literally my dream coming true, I can’t believe this is my life)!!!!

Food Highlights:
–soup a l’oignon (french onion soup is my favorite soup)
–Willi’s Wine Bar: cheese and wine
–L’As Du Fallafel: the best falafel sandwich I’ve ever had… it was packed with falafel, pickled vegetables and roasted eggplant… I’m drooling just thinking about it (thanks Cameron and Adam for this suggestion!)
-morning coffee and a croissant overlooking the Seine
-lemon and sugar crepe
–macaroons
-a quick lunch with my new Aussie friends at a seeming below after Middle Eastern restaurant that ended up being delicious (seriously why does Paris have the best falafel?)

Language Highlights:
–Opulent (first time I’ve heard the word – it was used multiple times by many people when describing Paris): “ostentatiously costly and luxurious.”
-Hello: bonjour
-Thank you: merci
-Excuse me: excusez-moi
-Goodnight: bonsoir

AIRPORTS: 18
FLIGHTS: 18
TRAINS: 11
BUSES: 3
STATES: 7
COUNTRIES: 9
CONTINENTS: 3
DAYS TRAVELING: 134
CURRENCIES: 5