I'll always have Paris

My friend Chloe and I went to Paris this weekend. We stayed at her cousin's apartment and just, wow! It was a blast if I can be allowed that hyperbole. I got to see many things and to think many thoughts. It's easy when you don't speak the language readily and are forced to be still and silent, albeit willingly. Chloe's cousing and brother and sister were very welcoming and I was happy to be a part of it all.

The view where I stayed in the 7th arrondisement , Isabelle's apartment. At night, the tower is illuminated and at midnight, the twinkling lights sparkle from top to bottom. 

Blade Runner? Tron? You be the judge but no matter what, it looks cool.

We rented bikes and rode all over the city. I highly recommend this as it was so cheap...only 10 euros for the two days. My eyes, they were closed in ecstasy.

On Champs d'Elysses looking toward l'Arc de Triomph... I love my camera's zoom.

Inside Les Galeries Lafayette... Think Harrod's and the Galleria for reference for content and size.

Apparently, on the Saturday, there were protests outside the American embassy. I'd no idea but am not surprised based on this street graffiti. I did see the Bulgarian embassy. Supposedly, it is the new capital of European golfing...because you know, that's what you think of whenever Bulgaria comes up in conversation. /s

Inside l'Opera.. The grand gallery. Weddings are held here and it was the group's consensus that we'd not pick this as our venue as we would not want to be overshadowed by the opulence of the room. 

From l'Opera's balcony.

Obligatory Jim Morrison grave visit at Pere Lachaise

Chloe's sister and brother, Agathe and Gregoire, arguing over the best way to get to the next destination.

Me trying to listen and translate French to English.

My face the whole weekend, basically.

A street market in the 7th where I bought three original drawings. 

Chloe determining which is best route to get to the old city (Notre Dame)  from the 7th.

Beautiful flower "magasin". The man on the right in the grey long sleeved shirt is a minorly famous actor. I asked Chloe if she wanted his autograph. She replied, "He's not that famous."

Palais de Luxembourg. This is where you want to go if you bring your young kids to the city. There was a fantastic playground area and carousel.

Les jardines de Luxembourg...The gardens of the Palace of Luxembourg. Runners were running around the perimeter, people were sitting on the grassy areas allotted for that purpose, or they were sitting in metal chairs next to grassy areas where no sitting on the grass was allowed.

Saint-Sulpice, a church heavily prominent in it's position in the city and in Dan Brown's novel.

Love locks on the Pont de l'Archevêché, a bridge which crosses from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Left Bank of the Seine

So, newlyweds lock their love lock and throw away the key into the Seine to prove that their love will last forever. However, I was told that should the marriage go sour, they have to fish/dig their key out of the Seine and take back the lock. Heheheh.

We rode our bikes on to the Louvre's plaza. Felt so... je ne sais quois.

Notre Dame. Should've stuck around to hear bells, but didn't. Eh.

I like street art on public works of official art. 

So, the best part about the Paris trip? Riding "les velos" all over the city. Hands down, I'd rather have been in the warm sun and crisp air of Paris on the cusp of autumn than manoeuvring in the Metro to get from A to B.