Oui, oui, Paris!

You'll note that my blog is behind. You'll also note that I just went on a cruise in November, as can be read about here. Well, funny little story...I got booked to go to Paris for training on 11/17-11/18. 11/17 being the day in which I landed back on dry land.

With a quick explanation to Paris, I was booked to fly out late Monday afternoon and arrive Tuesday morning in Paris. Apparently that memo was NOT passed on to those who needed to hear it, but I digress...it all worked out in the end.

Note to self: never, ever, EVER fly directly after being on a boat for four days. And don't change so many time zones.

So. Tired. Def changed clothes in the airport bathroom.

I spent the next week feeling like the floor was meeting my foot every step I took. I leaned against pillars and doorways without realizing it. My lack of sleep on the nine hour flight over, coupled with immediately going to work on Tuesday morning led to an excessive amount of espresso consumed as my eyes slowly closed throughout the afternoon.

I made it through though with minimal snoring and no face plants on the table before being released back to my hotel. You'll remember my back comment on my numbered list from the last post, right? Still an issue, just to keep you apprised.

The city was dreary, grey and chilly but I still took the time to search out some bread for dinner and take in sights while I shuffled the few blocks away from the hotel and back. I was exhausted, it was dark out, I didn't have phone service (always my preference when traveling abroad) and I needed to check in on work back home. You'll recall that I was just on a cruise for four days. Back to back vacations? Who does that??

My first night in Paris I peeked out the window and chatted with folks back in Houston at work still...because oh right, I had been awake for eighteen hours and it was still only lunchtime for them...and then went promptly to sleep.

What a view, right?

#committed

I slept for twelve hours. I hearkened back to days of yore when I was but a wee babe and knew to grow I must sleep, and sleep I did. Wednesday morning shown bright and beautiful and I was...still having back issues. But no matter, I was bound to walk down the Champs-Elysses and find Tanner and I's Airbnb apartment before going back to the office in Paris for a meeting with my guy. I call him my guy because he's my Paris consolidator...my guy that handles North America's consolidation into Group financials.

Let me digress a moment from action items and let you in on a little something...I was very unsure and nervous while in this city. This was the first time I had ever gone to a place where I was iffy on the language and on the culture and was alone in a foreign land. I reverted to 5th grade Becca who was completely uncomfortable in her own skin. Whenever I stopped for food, if I couldn't readily pick what I wanted and get out then I left the shop. I sought out short lines and small menus simply because I couldn't bring myself to slow the incredibly fast flow of French folks coming and going and ordering and speaking so fast I could nay follow along. My first two days in Paris were a bit nerve-wracking for me! But Tanner would be arriving the next day, Thursday, and I couldn't wait for him to get there! Now, back to the good stuff.

I made it to the Arc...

And then found the street we would be staying on the next few days before slowly walking back to work. While I spent the rest of that day working (boring), I had happily scheduled a late dinner (well, late to me, normal to Parisians) with a friend abroad. She had come to work in Houston a few years previous and we kept in touch ever since. After putting in my time for the day, clearing emails and other such fun work items, I loaded my map on Google and began making my way to dinner.

Without trying to, along the way, I stumbled across some famous sites...

Louvre! See you properly in a few days!

That bridge with the locks! Completely stumbled on it by accident. HAPPY ACCIDENT!

...before reaching the restaurant. Quaint, charming, so Paris...

Downstairs I went!

To this charming little area. Brick lined, vine covered, beautiful.

It was great to catch up with the old pal but before too long it was time to go. We caught a cab outta there and I promptly...did not fall asleep. Hey, internal clock, get with the program! And thus I stumbled on to Call the Midwife on Netflix and had to force myself to go to sleep after watching several hours worth because the next morning Tanner would arrive! He was already in flight!

Arrivé!

We got all settled in to our cute little walk up (because taking the elevator was like a death trap waiting to snap) before venturing out again to wander anew. We saw more Champs-Elysses and saw the Arc again and before too long the sun had begun to set as we made our way over to the Eiffel Tower. It truly was breathtaking.

Sparkle and shine!

The next morning a little bit of sunshine shone through the clouds and our trip to Versailles had begun! I'll reference back to my earlier conversation with you, reader, about my lack of confidence because even with Tanner arriving, it was still present. We made it to Versailles though I was so sure we wouldn't ever get there but with only one huff and puff moment in the station, we made it to our destination.

So incredibly grand.

Gettin' our learn on.

I can only imagine what it was like when Louis held court here. Sweeping down this hallway with a ballgown that took up half the width of the space...what an experience that would have been. 

Even though it was winter, the grounds were still lush and green.

For as large as the palace is, that is NOTHING compared to the grounds.

One of many fountains throughout the landscape.

We sashayed our way throughout the palace before heading back to Paris. Incredible to think it's only twenty minutes away on the train compared to the distance it once was. I am very glad I made this part of our trip because it really was quite a sight to see!

We walked down to the Arc after dark and tried to take a selfie.

The struggle was real, y'all. Yes, that is the Arc, I promise.

And then meandered back to the hotel for some TV watching and relaxation before another full day in Paris.

The universe must have known we would be outside majority of the day because it was STUNNING when we awoke the next day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the air was crisp. I was windswept, pink cheeked and LOVING IT. I got a fantastic cup of hot chocolate on the way to the Louvre to celebrate.

Incredibly delicious and OH SO SWEET.

We took a more successful selfie in front of a famous landmark this time.

Voila!

And made our way inside to see the few things we both knew stuff about: Mona Lisa and the winged angel one and the armless one. Yes...we knew so much.

This pyramid is fascinating.

These hallways are art themselves! Not to mention the ACTUAL art.

We waved at Mona from afar (talk about a jam packed area around her...sheesh, famous people) and stumbled upon the winged angel one before purposefully seeking out (and then getting lost along the way a few times) the armless one. Is it called the statue of Venus? Anyways....We came, we saw, we left!

Considering the day was still new, we kept our eastward walking and landed at the doors of Notre Dame...I did NOT cry sanctuary, though I was sorely tempted.

Selfie improvement: 100%! We have the whole landmark!

They had begun putting up Christmas decorations so it was quite festive!

No picture can properly capture the inconceivable height of this ceiling. This church is vast and monumental and much larger on the inside than you would think from looking outside! Tall and reverential, I was in awe.

After we left the church, we walked a few blocks further and ended up at a card shop for Tanner. He plays this particular type of card game that is played around the world so he picked up a few cards in French just for funzies. I got one too! When asked what I wanted, I said, "A pretty one." Clear as mud, I got me a fire girl one! Dig it.

Customary metro shot. Do I love these too much?

One last night in Sweet Paris before heading home nice and early so we enjoyed a second pizza night (it was recommended to us and it did not let us down) and ventured to Laduree for macarons (Tanner waited outside considering they are made with almond flour) and Nespresso for some shots to take home to the kids. But really, to me. Just to me.

So delicious!

What a whirlwind week that began in Mexico and ended in and around Paris. I am grateful for work to have sent me there and for which we ultimately had a nice vacation because of that. Thanks!