I miss Paris. The food. The markets. The old shutters and wrought iron balconies. The SUN. The HEAT! Oh man I miss it all!
We were hoping to go this summer but are unable to for obvious reasons – good reasons (cough Liam cough cough) but still. So, to tide me over, here are the film pictures I took last summer.
Maybe next summer?!
Well, now it’s September, summer is over, and autumn is here. Let’s be honest, I live in Scotland, where “summer” is more like an extension of spring. It’s sad. But we make do. It’s been a pretty good summer and when I … Continue reading
Will and I love Paris. We love being there. I can’t put my finger on it, but it feels familiar, almost like home… a home where I don’t speak the language, that is. ;) We feel blessed and fortunate that we’ve been … Continue reading
I know this is a backwards way of doing it but since I started with the morning of our last day I thought I’d share with you the rest of the day too. I had told you about our morning in Montmartre and how much I loved it but I also loved the rest of that day. We walked all over the place: the Marais, Île Saint-Louis, the Seine, and La Plage. It was some of our favorite places in Paris in one day!
A highlight of the day was that I finally got to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe! The views were beautiful! I can’t fully explain it but I absolutely love the Arc. It’s stunning and one of my favorite monuments in the world.
After the Arc we decided it was time for some lunch… and what better place for lunch than some falafel in the Marais?
We ate our lunch in a small park nearby and then strolled over to Île Saint-Louise to get gelato and eat it while walking along the Seine! Doesn’t that sound absolutely wonderful? It should, because it was!
Because our day started so early, we felt like we had all the time in the world to get to places. We leisurely strolled all throughout the city of Paris. That evening we decided that since we watched the sunrise we should end the day with the sunset and one last sparkly Eiffel Tower.
http://instagram.com/p/rFvhe-gGgg/?modal=true
My favorite part of our holiday in Paris was our last day there, especially the morning. I got it into my head that I was going to photograph the sunrise, and somehow I managed to get Will in on it with me. … Continue reading
Will Update: Will’s language classes have started up and he’s signed up for Ugaritic and another dead language class. He’s had a couple of dinners with his hall mates and they’re all lovely! It’s been a difficult first month since nothing’s really started until last week but life’s trucking along. He’ll be checking out a church this weekend so that will also help him find community and feel more a part of things there.
The rest of our time in Paris was wonderful! More food (duh!), more holding hands, more looking up, and lots of taking it all in; I even went for a run!
We did start to feel rushed though. To feel like we had missed so many things to do in Paris and fit more sights and more food and more of everything into our time there but I think it was more that we were trying to cling to what we could about our time there. It was such a wonderful time. I want to go back. We both do.
Sunsets from Tour Montpenarsse, French onion soup, steak tar tar, the National Opera, Notre Dame, Printemps, The National Library, The Seine, Lovers Lock bridge, end of the month hang outs!
Paris has captured our hearts. We will be grateful for the time we’ve had. Not just in Paris, but also with our friends. They played a huge part in making our Parisian summer a great one. Between making meals together, having wine in the park, watching sunsets, meeting at cafes, and all of it, what made it the most special were our friends!
Also, I wrote a quick little guest post about visiting Edinburgh on her blog, Moxacity. You can check it out here! And then you can come visit me!
Oh, and here’s are Parisian flat! We were so lucky to get it cuz it’s lush! Right in the 2nd arrondissement and great for having friends over.
Note: doesn’t Will have great legs?!!!!!
If you’ve missed the other Parisian Summer posts you can check out 1, 2, 3 here.
My second week in Paris was filled with more food and lots of looking up! I could not get enough of the old shutters and window boxes and rooftops! There is a historic beauty to all of them.
Will and I also went record hunting. Just before heading off to Paris Will bought a record player from one of our friends and so he’s on the hunt to start up his record collection. The unfortunate problem with this is that Will already has records. A ton of records. But they’re back in the States. Do we buy another copy of something we already have? Do we go without? What do we do? I’m sure this is a common amongst expats; the stuff that you left behind. They’ve been kept because they’re important, but due to whatever restrictions that were in place (weight, money, space, etc.) we had to leave them behind. <sigh> First world problems.
Will and I had never been on such a long holiday. Well, technically he was working but still, I was on holiday. I got a little overwhelmed with how much time I had but very quickly embraced it. The luxury of time is not something we have too much of too often. But, on this particular holiday we did. And I think we made pretty good use of our time!
Going to the market to buy fresh ingredients for a big breakfast, picnics under the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, ride the velíb everywhere, frequent our local all patisseries, Sacre Coeur, Musée D’Orsay, Musée L’Orangerie, big group dinners, walks in the park in time to see the sun set, Versailles, and then some.
It was a good first week!
You can see more Paris pictures here.
Hmmm, where do I start?
Let me start with the fact that as I’m writing this post I’m still recovering from the torrential downpour and relentless gusts of wind that characterized our 20 minute walk home from church today. So, as I reminisce about the amazing-ness that was Paris, my heart is growing just a little bit bitter that I’m here (Edinburgh) and not there. But, there’s chili simmering on the stove (courtesy of my Love!) to help me get over it.
I digress. To fill you in, New College, The University of Edinburgh’s divinity school, has a close relationship with Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP) in that there are scholarships handed out every summer to a bunch of New College students to learn French in Paris for one month during the summer. This scholarship is enough to pay for the month-long class, one month’s worth of rent, and living costs (note: this is open to all New College students). Well, this year we were able to snag one of the scholarships, along with a bunch of our friends, and enjoy a month of Parisian bliss.
So, how was it? Amazing. Fantastic. Magical. Phenomenal. There was sun, lots of sleeping in, walks along the Seine, riding bikes all over the city, lots of eating. Scratch that. TONS of eating! You guys, I took gluttony to a whole new level on this trip. No joke.
Will and I found ourselves quickly settling in and feeling “at home” in Paris. It took us by surprise how easy it was to feel at home there. I don’t know if it was a month of (nearly) “free” living or the 100% increase in our exposure to the sun and delicious pastries or hanging out with our friends 24/7 but it was seriously the best holiday I’ve ever been on.
Will and I decided to take the long way home… via Barcelona! (cue victory dance)
Actually, while we were figuring out our travel back from Paris we found some really cheap flights to Barcelona and jumped on them. I’ve wanted to go back to Barcelona for so long and I’m so excited to have the chance to do so!
The best part about this trip is that we discovered Airbnb and booked ourselves onto someone’s houseboat! We’re staying on a boat! (cue victory dance)
I don’t have as extensive a to-do list for Barcelona as I did for Paris but there are a few things we’re gonna try to do:
It’s not that much but we’re only here for four days so, obviously you can see where our my priorities are (beach! beach! beach!).
Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile
You guys, I love Paris! J’aime Paris!
I can’t believe I’ve been here for two weeks and still have a few more days left in this wonderful city!
So, to honor the rest of my time here I thought I’d share with you a few Parisian things I’ve found so that you too may be able to join in the love that is for all things Paris.
Sivana Skayo’s 6 Days in Paris
Secret Paris walks
Rachel Khoo’s blog (her new cookbook comes out in October… I’ve already pre-ordered mine!)
Pinterest for all things Parisian Chic (How do they make it looks so effortless?!)
Books to read in Paris
Language immersion is the way to go (And falling in love… I love young love!)
French Voguettes
Design Love Fest’s trip to Paris
10 Romantic/sexy things to do in Paris (It’s the city of love, people! Am I right or am I right?)
This really cool map of Paris
Obvious State (Formerly known as Little Brown Pen)
Paris vs. New York
The Londoner’s morning meander in Paris
Prêt à Voyager’s guide to packing for Paris
This is the view from our flat!
I made it! I’m in Paris!
I’ve been here for nearly 24hrs and won’t let Will out of my sight. 11 days apart is too long. Too too long. But, we got through it and now that I’m in the City of Love with my Love I’ve got a to-do list!
I’m sure I’ll think of more, but until then this should keep me plenty busy!
Lately I’ve been missing Paris. Missing the light, the Lourve, the Eiffel Tour, the Arc de Triomphe, the accents, the bread, and the people. So, while I’m sitting in a cafe, sipping on some Scottish tea, escaping the Scottish weather, I’m dreaming of a summer in Paris, eating a fresh baguette from ______ and walking around with this lady (bonjour Emma!) taking pictures of the way the light hits the pyramid in the Lourve, the lights of Eiffel Tour, the details of the Arc de Triomphe, and Montmarte! Sigh :)
KELLY LYFE 