Paris//4

Today, we visited the Eiffel Tower and I took this photo. I'm pretty proud of that pic, to be honest! What do you think?
The outstanding hugeness of the Eiffel Tower made me feel even more tiny than the Arc de triomphe yesterday. It was tremendous! And awe inspiring! To think that bare hands built such a gem as that is uncanny.

I also saw many a pair of lovers in the gardens, and I couldn't help but smile at the many young families enjoying their charcuterie goods and fromages.

Tomorrow, we head to Italy. But first, we shall storm the streets  of Paris one more time.

Until then--
~ Ms. Always Traveling

Paris//3

Another day in Paris that was astoundingly busy!
After getting up much too late, we stormed the city in search of chocolate croissants, fresh air, and the Arc de Triomphe.
We found all three.

We began the day by visiting a beautiful church located just down the street from our apartment, the Church of Saint-Paul Saint-Louis. The massiveness of the church was very humbling. And I couldn't help but feel surrounded by an incomprehensible magnitude of rich history.

Our journey really started when we entered the gardens of the Louvre, captivating and lush as they were. Not to mention exceedingly vast. With immaculate cleanliness, plenty of tourists, and many, many guys trying to sell miniature Eiffel Towers, the Gardens of the Louvre provided one of today's highlights. The only downside, I would have to say, would be paying to use the loo. But other than that -- it was delightful!
After that, we walked down the long, winding street all the way to the Arc de Triomphe, stopping only at Paul's pastry shop to grab a well-deserved chocolate croissant.
By that time, the sun was just about to set.

We took the winding 284 steps to the top, saw the beauty of the Parisian skyline, and took the 284 steps back down to the ground. The sheer simplicity of the peachy oranges, bright yellows, and pastel-like pinks of the skyline powdered the many landmarks of Paris with an element of delicateness. Fabulous stuff.

Tomorrow, I aim to find a La Poste in the early morning so I can mail the few letters I have accumulated in my bag and send them on their way. Other than that, we shall also aim to head to the Eiffel Tower, and eat some delicious picnic goods on the grounds below it. It shall be beautiful!

Cigarette bowls--a staple on almost all of the cafe tables I have seen thus far in Paris.

Until then--
~ Ms. Always Traveling

The Complimentary Writing Desk

In this beautiful apartment sits an old-looking, possibly vintage desk that is perfect for writing and collecting of the various paraphenalias I love.
It is directly opposite the open balcony, and the soft breeze from the street cools the back of my neck when it gets just that little bit too warm.
I'm thinking this is the best complimentary item I've ever received at away-from-home-living-location (e.g. hotel/motel/apartment/hostel/etc.).
What do you think?

Above: WITHOUT LETTERS...
and...
Below: WITH LETTERS...

Write some lovely mail, spread international joy!
~ Ms. Always Traveling

Paris//2

Bonjour from Paris!

Wow, what an incredible feeling to be in a new country after such a long time away!

From the instant we arrived, nothing but courteous behaviour has erupted from every individual.
Currently, I write this from our apartment on Rue de Turenne, where a small market sits out front a cafe on one side, and a jazz band plays on the other. The street bustles with life, minimal tourists and the sweet, sweet scent of fresh pastries.

Dreamy.

We arrived in Paris at 7.30am and have been running on our jetlag ever since. The sheer thrill of being here has provided me with more than enough energy to keep going. Thus far, we've visited two chateaux, a busy La Poste museum, a gorgeous cheese shop that literally stole my nose (I'm still searching for it! Haha), and the quaint downtown of many different parts of Paris and it's surrounding "suburbs".

I've already drunk one pot of tea, eaten two chocolate croissants, said 'Bonjour' incorrectly five times, and sorta-better fifteen, and loved every second of what this city has to offer.

I can't get over my sheer delight at the fact that as I sit on the balcony in our apartment, I can people-watch to the soundtrack of "a busy main street-cum-Parisian jazz band-cum-the clinking of those tiny water glasses".

I'm thrilled to be here.

Until then--
   ~ Ms. Always Traveling

Paris//1

Today, Paris calls my name.
We shall be there in seventeen hours from this point now, which is uncannily hard to believe.
But I can't wait.

Guard your pastries, Parisians--I'm ready for 'em.

Until then, send more mail--
~ Ms. Always Traveling