Tuesday, July 5, 2016

A Parisian Adventure: Welcome to Paris


Oh Paris, how I love you.

Getting to see Paris was more than a dream come true for me. If I had only  gotten to go outside of the United States once in my life it would have been to see Paris. This city is the crown jewel of travel for me and as such I had such high expectations and Paris did not disappoint for even a second.

Finally getting to Paris though? Well that was a LONG adventure filled with many tears. All worth it in the end though. So here's what happened....

Back tracking to a few days before we left, James was FINALLY home from six weeks in Poland for work. A little reward for all the hard work while they were away was four wonderful days of vacation time. When the dates were confirmed and re-confirmed, I went into hyper speed planning mode.
Paris was about to happen!!!

Paris in the summer, during the Euro Soccer Match, on one week's notice? 

You would think it impossible, but it wasn't.
However this trip was not without it's problems. Nor was it without me feeling at an all time low in life having given up on my dream. So bear with me for a bit while I go through the most awful night/morning before getting to Paris.
Like I had said, once dates were confirmed several times over, I started planning every detail of our trip out. One week to plan a summer trip to Paris in the middle of the biggest soccer tournament in Europe was slightly difficult, but it came together. The true horror of the pre - Paris trip came six hours before we were suppose to fly to The City of Love.
 Thursday night after packing and getting things set up for Parker's doggie sitter we were looking at a very short four hours of sleep before we had to get ready for the airport. Falling into bed at 11 PM, I didn't realize I would be in for the longest and most tear filled night of my life.

After one hour of sleep, I awoke to James' phone making it's overly loud alert for a text message. Let me just say now, I have never been more thankful for the fact that I am a light sleeper than I was that night. Air France was giving us notification that they had canceled our flight and would be re-booking us on the next flight. Total panic hadn't set in at this point. The next flight was just a few hours later.

I stayed up waiting till we received the next notification. Finally an hour later, now 1 AM, we are told we are booked on a flight leaving at 3 PM. NINE HOURS after our original flight, skipping over what was the next flight out. I was cool with it though, I would roll with the punches nothing was going to rain on my Paris parade.

Yeah, Air France had another idea. I laid back down and attempted to fall back to sleep, after all I was going to get more than a nap with the new flight. However something kept gnawing at the pit of my stomach. Deciding I would put my anxious mind at ease by looking up the flight information, was when the crushing blow came. Not only had they canceled our flight, re-booked us on one nine hours past our original departure time, but it wasn't even for the same day!!!

This was when the tears began and the realization that I was just not meant to see Paris set in. It was a full on ugly cry, complete with hyperventilating. I pretty much went through every stage of grief over the next few hours, which seemed like an eternity. After every tear was shed I resigned myself to accepting the fact that I was just not someone who would see Paris. The joy and wonder would not be bestowed upon me. Forever would this city be just beyond my reach.

Melodramatic? Yes, but I had just given up on my dreams, I'm allowed to wear my Drama Queen Crown.

Being on hold, transferred a thousand times, and hung up on by several employees - all while making n international phone call - only added to the devastation I was feeling. My husband was trying to comfort me as best he could, but honestly it wasn't working. Exchanging texts with my mom about the horrible situation was when the tiny light of hope appeared.

CHECK THE TRAIN STATION!!!

As always, my parents were there to save the day. Without them, I for sure would not have gotten to see the wonderful city of Paris.

Thank you mom and dad for always being there when I need you. Even when you're on your own vacation, you take time out to help solve my problems and offer me assistance. I love you both so much!!!

Saved by the skin of my teeth, we were off to the train station on a combined total of three hours of sleep.

YAY!!!


Paris!!!


Our sleep deprived faces, before we got on the train.


Better than a plane honestly.


James documenting my first official step in Paris. Also the last time I shall be seen without a sunburn haha.

We stayed at the Hilton Paris Opera, and it was without a doubt the most gorgeous hotel I have seen. It reminded me a lot of The Great Gatsby. I loved it here and when we come again to Paris it will be to this hotel.


Though a few hours past what I had planned, it was time finally to go out and see the love of my life: PARIS!!!



 I need one of my own!!!




Moulin Rouge


View of Paris at Sacré-Cœur


Sacré-Cœur 
Next time we will see the inside of this beautiful church.










Notre Dame 
Another trip needed to see the inside. Do you see that line?

 















Monet's Rooms 
So beautiful and so calming: really invites you to stop, breathe, and just take everything in around you.




The Louvre 
So many magnificent pieces of art. Some of the best hours we have spent in a museum. Worth another trip.







Venus de Milo


Napoleon's Apartments is a must see in the Louvre. Pictures alone do not do it justice.








Winged Victory


 Mona Lisa



One of my favorite paintings I saw.


The Raft of Medusa


Liberty Leading the People



Psyche Revived by Cupid 
Out of everything we saw this was my favorite piece in the museum.




After a poor excuse for a night's sleep, miles upon miles of walking, and it taking all day to really settle that I was finally in Paris, we ended our night with a little indulgence at the hotel bar. Look at the delicious petit fours that come with your drink order.
And of course when it's 11 PM where else are you going to have dinner besides in bed?

The horrific start and years of waiting and planning, finally paid off. A wonderful first day in Paris and knowing instantly that I would have to come back here again and again.

One trip to Paris, will never be enough.

Come back next Tuesday for Day Two in Paris; I'll be sharing the crown jewel of our trip the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and of course the delicious Ladurée, along with my dinner surprise for James.

31 comments:

  1. I absolutely adored Paris but we haven't been since 2008. I think it's time to revisit!

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    1. Oh for sure. It's only been a week and I'm already wondering when can I get back there. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. XOXO

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  2. Glad to hear you made it in the end and loved it! I fell in love with Paris last year and can't wait to return again one day.

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    1. Thank you :) Paris is by far the most addicting city I've been too. Four days was not enough.

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  3. Ugh airlines can be so complicated! But glad to hear that you finally made it to Paris! It's definitely a must-see place at least once in your life! #CityTripping

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    1. Paris really is. For sure the highlight of all my travels.

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  4. That sucks that they canceled your flight like that and then didn't even book you the same day! Thankfully you were able to get on a train and still make it to enjoy a fabulous first day in Paris! It sounds like your trip was perfect after the first mishap!

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    1. Right! What kind of service was that? Oh well though the train was a great experience and I had been wanting to travel by train, so it all worked out. We had a marvelous time. A perfect vacation.
      Thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. I love these type of recap posts! I loved visiting Montmartre, the views we're so beautiful.

    I didn't get to check out the Louvre while I was there but it looks like a MUST for my next visit.

    #wanderfulwednesday

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    1. Oh my gosh yes!!! The Louvre is so worth visit. Yes they were, one of my favorite districts we walked through by far. I wanted to stop and eat at every place we saw, and took TONS of photos.

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  6. Urgh, that was more than just a rocky start to a vacation! Sounds absolutely horrible and believe me, I would have cried and yelled too! Amazing that you managed to get to Paris without much delay anyway!

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    1. It really was by sheer blessing that we found that train AND that it only put our arrival three hours past what would have been the airplane arrival. Added benefit of not needing the hour transportation time to actually reach Paris too.

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  7. Aside from dealing with Air France (who I've come to believe has terrible customer service), it sounds like you had a fantastic trip! Great pictures! :) Any idea of what you would do first if you were to go again?

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    1. Awe thank you :) I've slowly been improving my photography skills since we moved to Germany lol. The trip was wonderful, for sure what all other vacations will be compared to. Most likely Notre Dame. We really wanted to go inside but the estimated wait time was two and a half hours so we just walked around it. And there's also the Rodin museum that I really want to see next time.

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  8. Oh what a nightmare - I would have been utterly devastated if that had happened with my holiday. But fantastic that you made it and saw SO much. I love the city and have been countless times - each time (almost) I seem to go to the Louvre and I still haven't seen quite as much as you. Looking forward to the next instalment. Thanks for joining up with #citytripping

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    1. The Louvre will for sure bring us back again and again. I too am totally in love with the city. Had the vacation blues, after we got home I enjoyed it so much lol. Thank you, I love #citytripping link up. See you soon :)

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  9. I'm so delighted for you that you got to Paris in the end. As someone who's been lucky enough to live in Paris and visit numerous times it's really special reading an account of someone's very first visit. I so enjoyed it and your photos too. #WanderfulWednesday

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    1. Living in Paris!!! That must have been wonderful. So jealous right now. Thank you so much :)

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  10. beautiful architecture and art, what a wonderful pleasure

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    1. So many gorgeous buildings and interior design works. 100 more trips and I would still be in awe of it all.

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  11. Oh my! What a stressing story! Mom definitely saved the trip! I am glad everything worked in the end. The weather seem to be gorgeous too.

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    1. We got so lucky with the weather. After all the rain and flooding of Paris we had fantastic weather for our trip. She really did. I had seriously given up on ever seeing Paris. I thought surely this was a sign that I was not meant to go otherwise it wouldn't be that hard. I think now though, all the work and stress made it that much more enjoyable when it finally happened.

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  12. I enjoyed your photos very much. Makes me want to go back to Paris!

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    1. Thank you :) I have become a picture taking fool since we moved to Germany. I never leave home without a fully charged camera.

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  13. Beautiful pictures - have brought back lots of memories. So pleased you got to Paris in the end. It's an incredible city - I hope you can go back again soon. Thanks for linking to #citytripping

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    1. So do I!!! I've always been in love with the idea of Paris and wanting to go. After getting there and having such a marvelous time, that love has exploded in size. I absolutely love City Tripping, so thank you :)

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    2. Aww - that's great to hear- thank so much for your support!

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  14. I am so thrilled to hear you loved your time in Paris!! Rocky start, but way to stick with it! I LOVE that pink scooter photo!!! Great photos of the Louvre, too! Can't wait to read the next installment!

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  15. Sooo glad you made it to Paris, so happy that you made your dream come true!! :D
    Paris is amazing isn't it? It's nice to know that it didn't disappoint you. I hope you return there sometime again, it's always good to be back there ;)

    Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes

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  16. Well that's a wee bit embarrassing! I posted my comment in the wrong spot lol! Sorry! ANYWAY - I love your photos; it looks like an amazing place to visit. Thank you so much for sharing them with us at Photo Friday!

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  17. Love Paris. The l'orangerie with the Monet water lilies is one of my favourties.

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XOXO