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.
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.
I need one of my own!!!
Moulin Rouge
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.
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.
