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 