They Can Take Your Money, But They Can't Take Your Attitude

Paris was such an unexpected adventure.  I left with the intentions of only staying two days at a friends flat and ended up staying for four!  I have had many a crazy travel shenanigan in my day but nothing compared to what this past weekend had in store for me.  It all started in India where I met Solen(see   India Part I), we had such a fab time on our trip and hanging out we both invited each other to visit any time.  So my first free weekend I booked a trip out to Paris to visit!  I planned a short stay friday night through Sunday afternoon, just expecting Solen to show me a couple thing but thinking I would be trekking out on my own for the most part.  I was so wrong, not only did she show me around, introduce me to the locals and show me the inner workings of Paris but when tragic circumstances struck she saved my life quite literally.  My trip was mind blowing and I owe it to Solen for showing me all that she did.  

I arrived in Paris, grabbed a metro map and headed off to Solen Tappas bar where she was working that night.  I have discovered that once you understand one metro, they are all the same after that even if you down speak the language.  Armed with only my three French phrases, 'pardon', 'merci', and 'je m'appelle Julianne' and my metro map I found the tappas bar with relative ease.  There I enjoyed a selection of French-Spanish fusion tappas along with the most beautiful french bread ever. It was so exciting to see Solen again, she had just started her shift so I ate as she ran around the restaurant.  Then I got to try a handful of home-made flavored rums which I had heard wonderful stories about during all my travels through India.

Solen had the night shift so she gave me her keys and address, and I walked out into the warm Parisian night.  Life was so good.  My belly was filled with fantastic food, I was happy from meeting up with my friend and I was in Paris.  High schooler's hung out down by the river catcalling each other while passing cigarettes and beers around.  Couples walked periodically down the street, and in the sky lit up with high powered lights off the Eiffel Tower.  Around midnight I started to make my way back to Solen's Place as my bag had grown heavy on my shoulder.  I also decided that time was my limit on walking around a city I that I don't know by myself is midnight.  I wasn't sure what time the streets would clear-out, like I do in Florence.  Once again the Metro was an easy to use and within 20 minutes I was where I needed to be.  Even though I speak negative French, I had no problem navigated the transit system by myself.  I say I speak negative French because while I can say a few words, I butcher the French Language so terribly, that I do it a disservice.  

I woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, a girl on a mission and made my way to the Louve to see the gardens.  The sights were truly amazing and I walked around aghast and in wonder of everything around me.  Paris truly is a magical city.  Between the architectural design of the city, smell of fresh baked bread that permeates everything, and the indistinct relaxed chatter of Parisians and tourists(not to eachother, just in general).    

I made my way to the Louve as one of my goals in Paris was to take a photo in the same area I took it when I was 12 when I went to Paris for the first time.  It was really nice, and kind of funny to think that it had been over 11 years since I stood in that same spot(close enough) and nothing had changed.  I guess that is the great allure to great pieces of architecture, they stay the same. 

Not to soon after Solen met me for a FANTASTIC lunch at this little bistro, tucked away from the center.  We sat on the second floor with only another French family and us for the whole floor.  If I had my way, I would eat at this place everyday.  Everything was rich and vibrant from the food to the setting, our waiter was very friendly (although Solen did all the talking) and we had a fantastic view out the window.  I would just nod and try to look like I know what was going on.

We then went wandering, one of the coolest places we happened upon was an umbrella repair shop.  You may say, umbrella repair shop?  Why on earth would ANYONE consider that interesting.  Well...  That's exactly it, umbrella repair shops are so rare there are only a handful in the world.  The shop we went in is not only a repair shop but they are one of the leading creators of couture umbrellas which is called upon during Fashion week and also by huge brand names for unique umbrellas.  More than anything it was so fascinating to hear this story (wonderfully translated by Solen) about something no one thinks twice about....  Umbrella's.  I mean no one really cares about them unless its raining.    I mean one little rivet breaks and you have to buy a whole new umbrella! If I lived in Paris, I would never need to get a new one.  His store was a rainbow of colorful silks, differently shaped umbrellas and from a pocket sized to walking cane umbrellas

We then made our way to a local museum which was displaying art by Art Spiegelman, this is where I was first introduced to the very Parisian attitude of haughtiness, which is apparently very typical.  Solen and I ran up to the top floor to grab a bottle of water, we waited over 25 minutes for anyone to even come take our order.  Every-time we got a hold of someone we were informed that they weren't our server and they would send some one over.  If I wasn't so dehydrated, I would have left. Finally after re-hydrating we made our way into the museum.  Now, when we first walked in Solen was charmed by this painting and wanted her picture with it....  This then turned into a massive game of imitate the art work which amused us for several hours.  I have to say, this is my new favorite game, and will continue the tradition when ever I go to a museum.   From there we headed out to see a Roller Derby game, which was very interesting and I got to meet a lot of sick French kids.  All in all in was a pretty fantastic day!

Sunday was my last "planned" day in Paris in which I went to visit the Eiffel tower and had a picnic under neigh it.  We bought a bottle of wine and some sausage and I just basked.  It was a glorious day, with the sun, the sites and the company.    Insert a story of misfortune and sorrow which led to me being denied at the gate to my plane.   This then led to a very dejected Julianne, head hanging, returning back to Solen.  On the bright side, I got to see a burlesque show and made friends with the burlesque troup before heading back to Solen's apartment for my new "last" night in Paris. 

The next day, Solen brought me a fresh pastry from her special bakery, and then we went bike riding through a park.  I ran through a sprinkler because I could and was thoroughly soaked all day for my choice, but I enjoyed it.  I was so excited to just do something because I could.  And that was all that mattered.   Soon the day came to an end and I headed back to the airport for my new flight, once I arrived I immediately sensed that something was wrong.   As it turns out, my senses were right and the airport handlers had gone on strike in France and Spain...  For how long you ask?  4 days....  They were on strike for the next 4 days.....   Once I heard this I just started laughing.  What else can one do when they are told that the next flight out of the country is 4 days away?  I had spent hundreds of Euro trying to leave to return to my home and was once again Plane-blocked  in the most unfortunate of ways.  I YET AGAIN headed back to Solen's home where I booked a train the next day.   The train lasted about 11 hours but it got me back to Florence which was the important part.  On my way home though, I fell in love with the views.  The misty mountains, with little houses tucked into the folds of the countryside where just enchanting.  I couldn't believe the scenery I was passing on my journey home, but it was amazing.  If one can imagine miles and miles (meters and meters for the Europeans in the crowd) of just trees and rolling hills, you might have an idea of the gorgeous countryside I saw on my way back.  Alas, all journeys must come to an end, and my 3-day-turned-6-day trip to Paris ended with a metallic whistle as I pulled into the Firenze S.M.N station.  How good it was to finally be home.  Honestly looking back, Paris was one of the craziest and most exciting trips I have ever taken.  I can't believe all the things I saw, the people I met and the amazing places I went.