Final Thoughts

Hello, friends. I have sort of put off this 'final thoughts' post because it represents the end of what was a fabulous vacation... Truth be told, it has been a bit hard to come back to the states. The hellacious trip home aside, I really didn't feel anything 'pulling' me back home, but that's a topic for another post back on Lisa's Yarns (maybe next week). I'm still sorting through how I feel about being back.

But here are my final, discombobulated thoughts in bullet point form:

• What will I miss about Paris? I will miss the little jars of spicy mustard that you tend to find on the tables of cafes. I will miss how much walking I did! I will miss the feeling of looking down a street of Paris and thinking - 'oh my gosh, this is so beautiful, can this be real?' I mean, you are surrounded by 13-18th century buildings that are just SO beautiful. Every street sort of took my breath away. I will miss speaking French to people - I know very little French, but I loved attempting to communicate! I will miss the delicious gallettes! I will miss all theses things and so much more!
• Traveling alone to Paris was fabulous. Would I love a fabulous person to join me in my adventures? Hell yes. But if I wait until someone fabulous comes along, I could be waiting forever. Honestly, I really was not at all lonely on this trip. And it is interesting is to compare how I felt on this trip v. my time spent alone in Paris in 2008. On that trip, I was far less comfortable dining alone - this trip, it didn't phase me one bit to sit in a cafe or restaurant alone. It's great to see how much more comfortable I've become in my own skin. The point of all this rambling is this: if you do not have someone to travel with, do not let that hold you back. Just go.
• Staying in an apartment is Europe is the way to go. Seriously. Don't waste your money in a hotel. You get much more bang for your buck renting an apartment - and you get a much more authentic experience, in my opinion!
• My goodness, Parisians know how to accessorize with a scarf. Whether you are a man or a woman, you do not leave the house without a scarf. Seriously. I wish they would hold scarf tying classes for us Americans - Parisians have it down to an art form.

Those are my final thoughts. It truly was the trip of a lifetime and the perfect way to celebrate my 30th birthday. I honestly would not change a thing - the whole week was just wonderful. I am a Francophile for life.

Please let me know if you have any questions! Wondering how I found an apartment? Curious about my favorite part of this trip? Or my favorite meal? Ask away!

I will leave you with one final photo from Paris. As I've said before, I know that the lights are not out permanently on this little blog. I will be back in Paris.