A Parisian Birthday Gift!

Since we are both celebrating BIG birthdays this year I wanted to take Charlie somewhere in this world that is unforgettable and a place he had never visited. Paris! At first, I was going to keep it a secret until we arrived at the airport, but instead I enclosed the airline tickets in his Christmas card. The trip was amazing, despite a massively wet snowstorm that we endured our last day. We toured the city mostly by feet (such an incredible city to walk your way through). Our palettes were satiated with delicious food, our favorite being Cafe Pinson--a Parisian vegetarian cafe. But,the Zagat-rated falafel we experienced at L'As Du Fallafel was a close second. Of course we also delighted in a few crepes along the way. Breakfast was enjoyed every morning in true Parisian style as we visited Eric Kayser boulangerie for the freshest baguette and pan au chocolat, located literally one block from where we were staying in the St. Germain district. Our little apartment was the perfect home-base for all of our adventures, I booked a flat on Air BnB.  The three days melted away as we had a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, climbed the steps to Sacre-Coeur for a view from the highest point in the city, and drank Starbucks (as a way to use the bathroom--oh the joys of traveling with a 20-week pregnant women) outside the Moulin Rouge. We also fought the crowds at the Louvre to view the Mona Lisa. When flying back to Finland Charlie described it as the "best birthday ever!"

A Flat-tire in Paris

My friend Marijke from Belgium picked me up from the Brussels airport after a quick 2-hour Ryanair flight from Oslo. We grabbed a lovely quiche for dinner and then hit the road for an overnight to visit Preet and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Marijke drove a new company car to Paris...I must admit I thought she was a little crazy to be driving into the big city of Paris, but she is Belgian...she knows best. Luckily, the GPS talked to us in Dutch and told us where to go, and even recalculated a few times when we took wrong turns (ha ha!) Finally, we made it to the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris where my dear friend Preet lives. The next adventure: finding a parking spot. Woohoo, I spotted a car pulling out, so Marjike did a quick maneuver and found her new company car suddenly straddled over a sidewalk. Uh-oh! With a few slow moves she backed up and the tires rolled off the sidewalk and bounced into the tiny parking spot. All good! We let the parking incident roll off of our shoulders as we made ourselves at home in the Maison de'linde (Indian House) on the university campus. The next morning...a flat tire! Uh-oh! We walk down to the Midas store and Preet and Marijke bat their eyes and speak French with the Midas dude who finally decides to send someone with us to fix the tire. Long story short...Marijke has to purchase two new tires. Ugh. But, all is not lost; the rest of the day was wonderful...jumps at the Eiffel Tower, sunshine, rain that moved us into a cafe for delicious Bordeaux wine, Moulin Rouge, crepes with nutella, and the vista overlooking Paris on Montmartre. I will never get tired of Paris...it is such a beautiful European city filled with all sorts of flat tires and adventures to be had.

Paris

A quick three day trip in Paris was enough to catch up with my dear friend Preet (from my European Master’s program) and see many Parisian sites under sunny blue skies. The days were spent studying and discovering the city on my own, as Preet attended her classes at the University of Paris-Sorbonne. By the way, this is reported, by historians, to be the second oldest university in Europe. Another medieval European University marked off of my list (hooray!) I visited the BIG public library right smack in the center of Paris and was blown away by its colossal feel as well as the announcement over the loud speaker, “Attention, pick-pocketers have been reported, please make sure your belongings are attended.”

At night, we walked until our legs hurt and then walked some more, as she showed me beautiful sites around every corner. The street vendors selling crepes and baguette sandwiches were happy to sell us their delicious chow and even pose for a few photos (See photo to left). On my last night in Paris, we had a picnic under the lit-up Eiffel tower. Apparently this is one of the “things” to do in Paris; we were not alone. We joined other jolly folks drinking wine and enjoying picnics under a sparkly Eiffel tower. A great trip for sure!!

The Quaint French Village of Strasbourg!

I needed an excuse to take a break from my thesis and travel. The academics of travel...find a conference to attend! And, that is exactly what I did. The Council of Europe was hosting a seminar in Strasbourg on 'Intercultural Dialogue in Higher Education' which is of great interest to me with my prior experience as a facilitator and mediator. After a few days in Paris, I jumped on a train and had the great fortune of sitting next to my new-found personal tour guide; a young, outgoing French women who was starting her career in tourism. She was happy to practice her English with me and share Strasbourg travel tips, including the succulent entree, frog legs "that taste like chicken". She escorted me to my hotel (Hotel Gutenburg) and we parted with the traditional French greeting (2 kisses to the air). I have to say these interactions with the locals (and my Nikon camera) is why I love traveling solo, you just meet so many more people!

Now, this little village is what Euro dreams are made of...sitting on the French/German border, Strasbourg is a Bavarian-influenced gem. It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. It's a small, walking-friendly village with a petite french quarter by the water, a Gothic looking cathedral of Notre-Dame, and enough European insitutions to give it a "European Capital" distinction. If the eye-candy isn't enough to wet your appetite try the delicious and traditional flambé tart, a thin crust with creme, onions, and bacon. After the conference, I met up with a former HEEM graduate and her English friend for some flambé and French wine, a great way to end the trip.

Travelin' Shoes in Paris!

I needed a little break from the thesis and so I laced up my travelin' shoes and I was off to Paris and Strasbourg, France. Two days in Paris is just enough time to get a taste of the romantic city, yet, it makes you want to go back for more. The Parisian way of life is dream-like with the cafe culture on every corner, fresh croissants in the morning and baguette sandwiches for lunch, french wine and cheese, fresh flowers beckoning you from the sidewalk stands and enough historical monuments that could keep you busy for a month. This city ranks on the top of my list of European cities! Despite the soggy conditions, I braved the rain and zipped up to the top of the Eiffel tour for a full glimpse of the city. Luckily, the sun came out when I arrived at the Moulin Rouge and the seedy, sex-shop street. Even though I was only there for 2 days I experienced the pride of the city; doggy doo! In Paris, it is trendy to strut your little dog, with diamond studded collar, throughout the city. It is also trendy for the owners to leave the doggy's doo on the sidewalk for others to enjoy. The Parisians are proud of their doggy's bowel movements. One afternoon I became the PROUD owner of doggy doo on my travelin' shoes. Awesome...a little souvenir! The next time you are in Paris watch where you step.