Eiffel tower
Exploration,  Relationships

Paris

August 23, 2018

Unconditional love…

Paris was my first trip across the pond and it didn’t disappoint. To celebrate 10 years of marriage (Double digits, Yay!) Sean and I planned a big trip. Each day and night was more amazing than I could have dreamed. I’m going to try not to rewrite my entire travel journal itinerary. However, I do want to give highlights that I think are “musts” for Parisian travel and there’s a lot under that category. Plus a few I would have liked to been told not to spend the time and money on.

I have to start by saying that with only a handful of days available I wanted so bad to do things that wouldn’t necessarily have been chosen for a first time Paris trip. I didn’t feel we had to do the unavoidable tourist stops, but who am I trying to kid, I’m all American adorned with a camera around my neck.

Versailles, (okay, not technically Paris), but after an eight-hour flight and a six-hour time difference, heading straight to Versailles ended up a great decision. Had our hotel not been absolutely incredible we would have only been able to check our luggage in and head to tour The Palace. However, it was…thank you, Waldorf, for having our room ready seven hours prior to check in. A quick refresh was much needed. If you have a chance, stay. Opening the windows and balcony doors of your room to the sound of sheep grazing on the grounds of The Palace of Versailles is not an everyday occurrence.
The Palace, more, much more grand than I could ever describe. So worth a tour, and trust me; skip the line ticket.
Palace of Versilles
SomaliMichelin star dining. Gordon Ramsay’s Au Trianon. Need I say more? Most incredible dining experience ever. That being said, completely out of my element (although not opposed to trying as many times as needed to get comfortable). First Sommelier experience, wonderful! I should have known with all that knowledge of wine a new friend would be made. 😉
For the first event to mark 10 years of marriage in Paris: A toast atop tour Eiffel. What’s a first trip to the city of lights without visiting the 1887 World’s fair spectacle? What a spectacular view.
There are two restaurants that you can not miss, well you really can unless you meet the best local who works at your hotel. Le Cat Blanc (The White Cat), unusual name, but incredible first restaurant you don’t want to skip. The restaurant decor alone screams, “You’re in the chicest local spot.” The perfect atmosphere was highlighted with a welcome glass of champagne. I’m not necessarily an entrée salad girl, but I’d guess you would have ordered one too if you saw how delicious it looked sitting at the table next to us.
So… “the pictures” (most asked about part of the trip). Grateful to Airbnb’s “experiences” for providing the perfect souvenir. I highly recommend using this service. Specifically Richard, many thanks for capturing this memory that will now never fade.
Some flagship store shopping was just what this girl dreamed Paris would include.
Chanel
Notre Dame, Amorino gelato, and a Parisian cafe were all incredible ways to mark yet another filled day. The Seine Riverboat dinner cruise would be added to the list of tourist things to not do. Pretty views, but I would have rather grabbed a picnic & sat atop the river walls (alongside or along with) the locals enjoying that same view and dancing with the masses under the moonlight.
That second restaurant, Cafe de I’Homme in Musee de I’Homme. Yes, that’s right, when the museum closes and you open the unlit entrance door to head somewhere you’re still not sure could actually be a place tourists are allowed. But for the last night in the city of lights, this was the perfect place to sit, sip, eat, & soak in each showing of the wonderful light show affixed to the Eiffel tower.
sculpture
With all of the many museums in Paris, a quick picture outside The Louvre next to the pyramid suited us just fine. Musee d’Orsay was a great pick for our museum visit. With what I consider to be an amazing depiction of the most incredible story I’ve seen in a sculpture, this was my favorite part of the museum.

As wonderful as this memory making was and it genuinely was, the city of romance is NOT where unconditional love can be found.

It is where my true love and I reconnected and invigorated passionate love after a life-changing event occurred two years ago. That being said, there’s only one who can even offer (because of His perfect being) truly unconditional love and the most life-changing event imaginable. Don’t pass on that love and that event. Let’s love as best we’re capable, until eternally.

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