Postcards From Paris: No. 9

This week, I reached my pinnacle of happiness. A week of warm weather allowed my dreams of picnics and walks along the Seine to finally be realized! However, the beauty and joyousness of each day also left me feeling devastated about my impending departure. I am trying to take things one day at a time while simultaneously preparing for heartbreak.

Paris and its Gardens: Find Me Where the Flowers Bloom

I am practically the antithesis of a nature girl or tree-hugger. However, flowers have an inexplicable hold over me, and I dedicated a majority of this week to wandering around Paris’s gardens in search of pink trees. While most of the cherry blossoms have yet to bloom, there were plenty of tulips, magnolias, and other varieties of trees and flowers to satisfy me.

Paris and its People

In previous posts, I’ve tried to express the energy that radiates throughout the city when the sun is shining. This week, I finally managed to capture images that demonstrate the magnetic quality of blue skies, warm weather, and endless sunshine. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but even these images don't fully convey the magnitude of people walking the narrow streets, picnicking in the parks, or lounging along the Seine.

On Sunday, my friend and I ventured to the Luxembourg Gardens, a space buried in the 6th arrondissement, a bit off the beaten path. The scene reminded me of my town’s Fourth of July celebration; it was simply a sea of people, all vying for a spot on the limited green space. After a cold winter, every spring brings about a spirit of rejuvenation. Considering the past two years have consisted of lockdowns and restrictions, seeing all the city dwellers gathered in the park felt like humanity had finally emerged from a long hibernation.

The Seine: Long Walks and Loud Thoughts

As a true introvert, I love to be alone with my thoughts and appreciate having a beautiful view while getting lost in my head. Back home, my most peaceful moments consisted of watching the waves crash into the shore; essentially, the Seine is my Paris equivalent to Watch Hill. The beauty of the Seine is that it’s the right balance of serenity and excitement; there’s the chatter of people around you, the quiet lapping of the water, and the occasional hum of passing boats.

Nothing very profound came out of my time spent alone in my thoughts. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a solution to world peace (and quite frankly am too much of an idealist to ever be trusted with that responsibility). Mostly, my thoughts center around my love for Paris and reflecting on changes within myself because of this trip.

The Perfect Saturday: Brunch and Basking in the Sun

There wasn’t a single day this week that I didn’t enjoy, but something about the simplicity of Saturday was true Parisian perfection. Saturday’s itinerary included a morning walk through the Palais Royale and Jardin des Tuileries, a colorful brunch at Aujourd’hui Demain (a vegan cafe), and a three-hour lounge in the park next to Eiffel Tower.

Seeing as I’ve been to all of these places before, there wasn’t the element of excitement that I usually associate with good days. The beauty of Saturday was more so that I didn’t spend the day worrying about the essays or presentations I still had yet to finish. I was focused solely on maximizing the experience of being able to lay down on the grass and see the Eiffel Tower hovering over me. The combination of reaching a point of mental clarity and doing things I have spent years dreaming about truly made Saturday the best spring day.

Paris at Sunset

Sunsets are capable of making any scene more magical. Naturally, Paris is no different. The dark silhouettes of Paris's various bridges, statues, and monuments contrast the golden-orange sky and create the skyline frequently printed on t-shirts and posters. The encroaching darkness hides some of the city's imperfections but intensifies the romantic and picturesque air. Everywhere you look, couples are holding hands, embracing, kissing; it's like watching a movie unfold in real life.