Bonjour from Paris, mes amis! I am so happy to be back in my apartment and soon to be back in my bed for a full night’s sleep (hear that, jet lag?). We made a salad for dinner, gathered a fresh baguette and some cheese and (duh) butter, and opened a tasty red wine. Now I am in my jammies, burning my favorite French candle and hoping to publish this post without any mistakes, in spite of my fuzzy-headed fatigue.
I went on a wonderful walk late this afternoon, which is the only way to survive one’s first day in Paris. The evening shadows were already growing long at 4:30, and I got to watch the sky glow with color as the sun disappeared. It was cold but not wet; the crowds were happy; and Paris still is festive in her holiday finery.
I walked toward the Champs -Elysées and was happily surprised that the Christmas market was still buzzing with activity and redolent with the delicious smells of spiced wine, waffles, and churros.
love a Christmas red coat!
chocolate!
The biggest problem with hot spiced wine, besides the fact that it often tastes like hot cough syrup, is how to drink it while walking in a crowd.
A selfie stick- as seen on TV. And in every place around the world where tourists are.
After a short walk through the market, I couldn’t take it any more and so I crossed the Champs- Elysées at the Grand Palais and walked to the ever-popular Alexandre bridge. While there I snapped the Eiffel Tower in shades of lavender.
From the other side you can see the ferris wheel at the Tuileries.
And then this happened and I swear to you it wasn’t intentional. I’m sorry.
After crossing the bridge I walked along the river toward the Musee d’Orsay.
Hello Orangerie through the bare trees.
I remembered to look behind me and loved these pinks.
After crossing back over the river I was in the Tuileries at dusk.
Back through the crowded market toward home
The Grand Palais was lit in blue for a big exhibition for which there was a very long line.
Barbie got a mini for Christmas!
window in a chocolate shop near my apartment
The florist near me was finished with Christmas and was moving on to tulips. I’m all for that.
And now I get to go to sleep. I’m all for that, too.
Bon soir, my friends!
Mais Oui Paris 
Glad to hear you have returned. Your notes have made me so eager for our trip. Two days can’t compete, but I am eager. Happy New Year. Bonne annee. Votre ami. Henri
Ahhhhh. So fabulous ☺️☺️. MERCIE
Sent from my iPhone
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Aren’t you lucky to be back in Paris.
Bonne année et bonne santé !
Fantastic first blog back. You have not lost your touch even with jet lag
You are kind of a show off using straight up SAT words like ‘redolent’ so eloquently while trying to fight off jet lag. Well done, dear one.
xooxx,
Alison