A Table for Two
So this blog entry was eight years in the making. In 2005, in search of myself and recovery from a broken heart, I came to Europe for ten days by myself. This included three days in Paris to bring in 2006 and celebrate New Year's Eve. I made it to the Eiffel Tower as planned to bring in the new year. It was all perfect until at the stroke of midnight, a young man proposed to his girlfriend right in front of me. So, karma was being cruel. I decided to celebrate at a local pub with some newly found friends. I had an opportunity to write about my experience for a magazine on my ten day journey through London, Paris and Belgium...and I called it "Table for One."
So let's fast forward to 2014. Mr. Goodin and I have done our fair share of travel, no doubt about it. It's a blessing and a curse of his working in the industry. As we approach the holidays, we have low expectations that we will spend them together. So in typical Goodin fashion, we create our own holidays. I have always dreamed of returning to Paris to relive those moments with my true paramour....This time it would be "A Table for Two." So settle in...this is our story of Paris Revisited.
Best Laid Plans:
The best laid plans: Time off approved - check! Tickets - check! Hotel - check!
So far everything was falling into place. Then it happened. His cell phone rang. Tuesday, three days before we were to depart. There is an initial panic that sets it. You want to ignore it but you can't. Our plans foiled temporarily. Mr. Goodin was assigned a flight that returned two hours afters our flight was to depart. A decision was made to divide and conquer. I would depart on the original flight and if he caught a good (very good) tail wind, then he would follow me on a different flight and airline. Because of timing, I actually would not know his status until I arrived in Paris.
Happily for me, I got a seat in Business class. Nothing sweeter than champagne and steak....a fluffy pillow and a warm blanket. I was just sad that Mr. Goodin couldn't enjoy it too. After landing, I anxiously turned on my phone to find the best message ever. He made the flight....but he had to ride in coach. He was only two hours behind me and sadly, no champagne for him.
So as I sit here in the airport waiting for him to arrive to begin our adventure. I am deliriously happy to know the real adventure is about to begin.
Day1 - Paris at Night
8050 steps - 3.5 miles
After finding each other in the most confusing airport, we made our way to the Hotel de Bois via the Metro. We bought visitor passes...so all parts of Paris were at our disposal. The best part was exiting the station to be greeted by the Arc de Triomph. Triumphant is was. Standing there with our luggage we smiled and kissed. We were officially here.
Our hotel was only a short walk away, so we settled in a went for an evening stroll along the Champs Élysées. I am not sure who got the memo that we were celebrating our holidays early but we stumbled (hard to miss) a Christmas Fete. Vendors, food and yes, good ole American classics playing in the background. The streets filled with Christmas decorations to rival Macy's. Mr. Goodin said it reminded him of the German markets from his military days. Paris at night is special. The lights from the buildings are so architecturally beautiful.
Day 2 - On a Mission
18,700 steps or 9 miles
How do you start the perfect day?....at the local bakery for a baguette and café au lait for two. We strolled around our neighborhood on Victor Hugo Avenue after breakfast...pretending what it would be like if we lived there.
Then we began our day by heading to Notre Dame. We saw a stop on the
Metro for the Bastille, so why not go take a look. Only problem is there
is no existing buildings anymore. Oh well...onward and upward. Discouraged, not a chance...we had another mission in mind. On our way we walked through the city streets of St. Louis which led us right to our destination. It was time to find the Pont de L'archeveche better known for the locks of love placed by those who want to solidify their love forever. When I learned of this...I had to have a lock made just for us.
That was another story, but meanwhile this officially became a bucket list item. Mr. Goodin and I found the bridge right behind Notre Dame. We scoured the bridge and found the perfect spot for our lock. We paced the lock facing the Church, made secret wishes and threw the key into the Seine. Truth be told I was a little teary eyed...we took a ton of pictures as to never forget our lock (for when we return to visit it). Then we went to Marais district for lunch. At a perfect café, we ordered meats and cheeses with a glass of wine. We sat though a small rain and traveled back to our place. That evening we returned to St. Louis for the Illuminations de Noel, a lighting of the streets....and a small bite to eat at a local café. We must have missed the festivities, but the streets were lit up and they looked lovely. We made our way back through the Christmas markets again for dessert of roasted chestnuts, Nutella crepes and hot wine. We may not have stormed the Bastille, but we stormed the rest of the city.
Day 3 - A Rainy Day in Paris
Keeping up?...that is 20.97 miles so far...and zero museums.
One word to sum up this day...rainy and chilly. But that doesn't stop a Goodin. Armed with umbrellas and the can do spirit we took on the area of Montmarte, home of the Moulin Rouge or for the more spiritual the Sacre Couer. I have to say that as we walked the streets, you couldn't help but notice how stunning Paris looks in the fall. Yellow leaves and glistening streets. Always busy, but not too busy. It was easy to get lost in thought, but we chatted along the way looking at everything in awe and wonder. We arrived at the Church of the "Sacred Heart"...and there was no way I was walking up that hill. We took the Montmarte funicular to the Sacre Couer...an interesting contraption that carried us us the hill. What a beautiful site to see Paris from atop the hillside.
We walked into the Church an observed a service going on. We lit a candle and said a prayer for all our friends and loved ones. Still raining, we ducked into a café for respite and hot coffee to warm us. As the sun set, we returned to our hotel for a short break and a change into dry socks. Dinner was absolutely wonderful. We decided to trust our Yelp app and we headed towards the Eiffel Tower area of town for dinner, since we wanted to visit the Tower at night. As we rounded the street where our restaurant resided, we heard the sounds of protests. Later we learned it was spirited Romanians excited about elections in their home country. La Cocottes was amazing...owned by Chef Christian Constant...do a google search and you will you will understand. Foodie alert.. I can tell you that dinner included, a beautiful salad, seafood bisque, confit of pork and ravioli langoustine....and a chocolate tart for dessert. After dinner, we strolled to the Eiffel Tower. It was stunning, just as I remembered...only better. On the hour, the lights twinkle. We stayed just to watch the light show. So perfect. Tomorrow is our last day and we have special plans. Stay tuned...
Last day...To the Top
8.38 miles, 18,134 steps
Well, all good things must come to an end...but not before we had one last day here in Paris. Today was the day we had tickets to the Eiffel Tower summit and a planned picnic lunch in a park.
What an adventure. It is beautiful up at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Chilly...but beautiful. We enjoyed all the magnificent views. We looked at all the places we visited and took a ton of panoramic photos. It was truly special. After our visit, we met an old student of mine for coffee (she is attending school here)...based on her suggestions for a spot to picnic, we headed to the Touilleries Gardens, the gardens behind the Louvre. Armed with cheese, a banquette, a quiche from the local bakery and a bottle of sparkling wine...we found ourselves having a quiet picnic in the rain (under an umbrellaed table). It was special and romantic.
We spent four days and walked over 30 miles discovering not only an amazing city, but realizing more and more how blessed we are. I will now have a special place in my heart for Paris. No more table for one...I will take a table for two for Mr. Goodin and myself.
And if you just didn't get enough....just like my Gramps old home movies, you can click here for more photos...in case you wanted to see all of them. Just click on this link to the Shutterfly album: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8IasXDJm4atTq
Last but not least, a little goodie if you made it this far. Here is a short video of the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles on the hour. Enjoy!
