23 April 2010

day one - the girls arrive in Paris!





While the trip officially began when I arrived at the airport in Seattle, the real fun started when I finally saw Kasey at the airport in Paris! After hugs and a quick catch-up session, we headed for the train. We had planned to take it into Paris because, well, we could. We were women of the world - we could navigate the public transportation system, right? Okay, not so much... We did have one *minor* glitch when, after one of the stops, the train began heading back in the direction of the airport. Hhmmm... that didn't seem right... However, being such worldly women, we had no problem getting back on the train to return to the station that we should have gotten off at and to transfer trains.




One thing I learned on this trip - if you plan to take the metro (or really, any trains for that matter), do NOT overpack. Serious mistake. Now, I won't mention which one of us overpacked here, but suffice it to say that after going up and down two sets of stairs and, at the bottom of the second set of said stairs, being told by a handsome french man that this was the wrong platform, then having to LUG (yes Ange, you heard me - LUG) all of "her" luggage back up the stairs, "she" had a wee bit of a meltdown and thus the decision to find a taxi was made. (meltdown should give it away as only one of us is really the melt-down type...)





That first day, a day when we thought we might be tired from jet lag - was amazing. After we finally made it to our hotel in the 5th, checked in, dropped our bags, and grabbed our cameras, we were off again. We walked, (and walked and walked) we took endless photos, and we talked about everything. We were giddy. I remember thinking absolutely. everything. was. interesting. to. shoot. Seriously. Case in point - the number of shots of windows and shutters that I have... (trust me, when you see photos from later days, they are endless. shutters. and more shutters. and a door. and more shutters...)




~thankfully we didn't have to scale this fence to sneak into this church...


One thing I learned on that first day was that Kasey is a fabulous travel partner - that girl has guts! She made us sneak into an old church. Through the back door. While there was a service going on. I remember thinking - this girl has bigger kahunas than I do. I needed that. (she also made us sneak into a private courtyard. someone's house. PRIVATE. so she could sit on their doorstep. I am feeling so edgy now~)





She spotted a baker standing outside one of the local bakeries in the 6th. She made me ask, en francais, if we could go in and shoot this baker as he made bread. This is something I would have never done. But Kasey would. And we did. And now look - photos of a baker!







We wandered down side streets, found gardens and fountains, and sat watching children sailing boats in the pond at Luxembourg. (okay, Kasey stalked well-dressed darling little french children with her zoom lens while I watched children sailing boats..) I thought, how wonderful to be able to rent boats for your children and let them sail them in the middle of the city, in this gorgeous park-like setting, while enjoying your cafe creme. Heaven.











And we laughed, a lot. That girl has an imagination - she is the humor to my charm. (look - I needed to find something about myself - charming works, right?) Both of our minds are going a mile a minute - something that seemed to work well in Paris~ We both also understood the value of stopping nearly every 20 steps to shoot something. Not a lot of people would get that. Kasey did.






Kasey spotted Jean-Pierre before I did. I however took the first photo of him, accidentally, while shooting her. I am sure that, in hindsight, she would have rather been sitting on his lap, seeing as it was such an attractive lap, but at least she has a photo with him, right?









We enjoyed our first lunch just down the street from our hotel. Let me tell you, a girl could get used to sitting for nearly two hours, enjoying wine and fabulous food, talking with her girlfriend, watching people pass by. Of course after we finished, before we headed out again, we enjoyed our cafe. Honestly, you can't finish your meal without your cafe~







Simone arrived that first evening - it was late but we were still WIDE awake and ready to go for what would turn out to be our very best meal in Paris. We found the best little restaurant tucked in behind our hotel that had incredible wine and even better food. We were there for hours, eating, talking, and drinking. We started with escargot. It got funny. Then, Kasey ordered pigeon. She is such an adventurer!






By the time we rolled in to our hotel room, it was well after midnight and we were suprisingly still quite awake. I believe that was the night we had our giggling fit. It went on, and on, and on. One of those "just can't quit" spasms that brought tears. The best.



31 comments:

The Apple Market said...

I love Paris!!

Nikki said...

Ooh cornichons! Looks like you gals had a great time.

When you get a craving for pain au chocolat, check out Belle Pastry on Old Main in Bellevue!

French Girl in Seattle said...

Ha! ha! Very entertaining, Kim! You know, if you had taken my very famous "When in Paris, do as the Parisians do" travel workshop before you left, you would NOT have taken that train from the airport to downtown Paris-- not with the UNREAL amount of baggage you ladies carried around! ;-) Live and learn I suppose... Looking forward to more stories... Veronique, Your favorite French teacher.

vicki archer said...

This sounds like the best fun in the world...xv

Kasey said...

You are truly my very best friend.
I can't imagine going to Paris with anyone other than you!
I may have been the "girl who snuck us into places" but you are the one who got me out of my bloomers and into my skivies!
xoxoxo

Unknown said...

Hi,
Your foto is Beautiful!!!!!
J'adore Paris!!!!!!
Très très jolie ton Reportage
Bisous :)
Daniela "DREAM SHABBY CHIC" MILANO

Christine--RHP said...

ok you're just gonna spend the next several weeks torturing me with France, aren't you?
Years ago, when I was taking the Metro from the airport to the Gare du Nord, I found myself lugging a horrid, heavy suitcase up the stairs (just like you!) I had a hot Frenchman grab it and hoist it up the stairs for me. (I have to admit, it happened so fast and I didn't realize he was speaking to me when he offered, so I did think he was stealing it for a second....) But I have a high regard for chivalrous Frenchies now....
thanks for sending me into reverie for a moment...

Privet and Holly said...

GLORIOUS pictures of what looks to be
a FABULOUS trip! Yes, it's SO hard to pack lightly when you just aren't sure.....of the weather, of what will feel RIGHT when you arrive....and of course, all the toiletries {since I myself hate decanting into teeny, tiny containers}! Thanks for a peek into your wonderful adventure.
xx P&H

Lori said...

Oh I have been waiting for this and you did not disappoint!! What a wonderful first day Kim ~ the pictures are fabulous ~ I cannot wait to see more. xo

Chez Zizi said...

That is absolutely wonderful, the photos are amazing as I knew they would be.
I have a traveling partner who is fabulous, but we need a trip like that soon (maybe for our 40th).
Can't wait to hear more.
Zi

Donna said...

Kim it sounds like an amazing trip! So glad you had a fabulous time with great friends. Everyone needs to have a trip like that! Can't wait to see more pics!

Florence said...

Through your story I can feel your excitement. Thanks for sharing. Florence

Ange said...

Did I really hear the word LUG?? I'm dying to hear more about Paris... I feel the escargot/pigeon explanation was a little ahem, shall we say, brief ;-)

Bonnie said...

Gorgeous!!! Loving the photos, keep them coming. :)

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

xoxo,
Bonnie

Tara said...

so charming...you lucky ladies...love the last pic so much!
~Tara

LuLu said...

What a fabulous adventure! You both make me want to do something adventursome soon!! I'm loving this great read about a dream come true trip!!! Can't wait for the next post,
xo,
LuLU

Little Emma English Home said...

I have lived similar journeys and it's an experience that you'll never forget. And one of the best part is when you go back with memories and keep asking "do you remember when...?". Great story of your trip. Thanks for sharing with us. xxx

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Sounds like you had an amazing time, Kim. Jardin du Luxembourg is one of my most favorite places - I used to each my lunch there most days and it's also where I started to fall in love with my husband, on the first day we met (although, unlike Jean-Pierre, he is Canadian).

Morgane said...

your travel partner was fabulous ! The backyard in Paris are full of surprises ! I used to do this when i lived there.
I can 't wait to see more pictures

Kathy said...

More please, more.....

Dreamy Whites said...

Dear Kimberly,
I can only imagine how much fun you two had. I can't wait to hear more stories from you. It is so much fun reading yours and Kasey's take on your trip. I just love it and can't get enough of it!
Take Care,
Maria
Thank you for sharing.

VM Creation Atelier said...

OMG!-)*Such amazing time in Paris...
Love these atmospheare,which do you talk about Paris!
Wishing you beautiful days dear Kim in you wondeful,full of emmotions trip!-)))*

Much Love,
***Violetta***

FrenchBlue said...

Sweet Kim!
MERCI BEAUCOUP for sharing this with us! It is
H E A V E N for me to read:) I am so happy you started off your trip laughing AND watching the children sail the boats! THIS my friend is to me one of the BEST moments in Paris!! I can't wait to read more to come!
XO

robin laws said...

great beginning! i want to hear all the details, as much as you can pull from your memory and tell us...tell us everything!!
XO

LiveLikeYou said...

Takes me down memory lane-all those years I lived in Paris. Reminds me of the movie where Christopher Lambert is dipping tons of pain au chocolates in his cafe au lait. Go try it out!!

Punctuation Mark said...

loving these images... sure you are having a great time... food looks really yummy!

vosgesparis said...

Loks like you had an amazing time in Paris :) Your pictures look beautiful.

DustyLu said...

You guys look so fab in Paris! I love all the cobble stone streets, so beautiful! The food looks yummy! Can't wait to see the rest of you trip! ~lulu

Martha said...

Sounds like a very wonderful and very fun trip! I love the stories you shared and the details! You two have got yourselves wonderful travel partners!!!

shabbyscraps said...

what a lovely time! I can't wait to hear more about it from you!
xoxo, Tiffany

Its Just Another Day In Paradise said...

I LOVE THIS PARIS BLOG...my heart is still in Paris. Loved it loved it loved it. The shots were great I remember almost every location you shot. Loveeeeeeee It.