Two Days in Paris AGAIN! Part One

I knew I was in trouble once I stepped into my hotel room.  I connected to the wifi right away and started messaging my best friend in Italy that I had arrived.  I was laying down and knew I was in trouble.  I was pretty exhausted and by now it was 2pm.  I decided to take a nap despite my time restriction.  I wanted to check out two museums but my body wouldn’t allow it. 

Once I woke up I quickly jumped in the shower and was on my way.  I had grabbed some coffee when I checked in but I usually drink two cups per day.  I needed another pick me up.  I went to the concierge and bought another cup.  I needed some pep in my step!  According to google maps the Musee des Art Decoratifs closed by 6pm and I was jumping on the train a little after 4pm.

There was a line at the entrance and the security guard was giving people a hard time to get inside the Christian Dior exhibit.  I asked if I could go in, but he insisted I needed two hours to see the exhibit and there wasn’t enough time.  By now it was nearing 4:45pm, but I told him I didn’t mind rushing through.  He shrugged his shoulders and stepped aside.  Off I went!

I was nervous because the people at the ticket counter gave me uncertain looks as well, but I ignored them and asked for a ticket.  I did not come all the way down here to be shunned away especially if I knew I had some time on me.  Once I walked through the entrance, it hit me what all the fuss was about.  There were so many people coming from all directions!  I tried to walk ahead of the crowds but it sometimes got overwhelming.  I made my way through each room, snapping away on my camera phone.  I even took pictures of some of the descriptions of the exhibits so I could read later on in my own time.  

Once I walked through every room I had time to go back to previous rooms and capture more insight on the history of Dior.  I felt better that I had the chance to do a double take.  Feeling rushed is the worse.  Every gown was so beautiful!  Every designer that designed after Christian Dior left behind their own trademark.  It was a fashion girl’s dream to see such a splendid exhibition.  I truly enjoyed it.  I made plans with a friend I made back in September last time I was in Paris.  He was getting off work around 7pm.  We had decided for him to meet me back at my 

hotel since I was pretty unfamiliar with the area he lived in.  This time I booked my hotel in the Gare du Nord area.  Very touristy, but it was what I could afford.

I hung out in the lobby to kill some time before my friend arrived.  This concierge was very informative.  He made me laugh and was giving me tips on how to get around in the city.  I had not branched out in the neighborhood, but I usually like to do that so I could see what’s around me.  Again, time was against me.

My friend finally made it and I was starving!  I realized I had not ate all day.  Luckily my friend was hungry as well and I let him choose where to eat.  Unfortunately, being a native Parisian, he was not very impressed with the selection of restaurants in my area so we jumped on the metro and headed towards Opera.  
This area was magical!!  I absolutely loved it.  Most of the shops and hotels were high end.  But the Christmas decorations is what got me.  I was in Paris during Christmas time and it was absolutely breathtaking! 

We settled at a wine bar that wasn’t too busy.  I noticed, just like Italians do, most bars were packed, even the outdoor patios despite the weather being nippy.  We sat inside, but I was impressed at how comfortable everyone seemed sitting outside.

My friend ordered for me and I got duck.  My first real French meal and it was delish!  I was very satisfied.  We caught up on what was new, but unfortunately that also meant what was new with politics.  As you can imagine, the conversation got pretty intense, but the focus was more on me not knowing enough about the news.  I felt bad I couldn’t answer some of his questions, but looking back, I’m glad he asked me the tough questions that he did.  If I want to continue to travel, by now I have to expect that this will be a reoccurring topic for me to discuss.  I need to be well informed period.  Me stating where I stand in politics is not enough.  I need to understand how our politics in our country impacts the world on a grand scale.  At the end of the day, everyone is impacted by the decisions we make here.

Once our political conversation ended, so did our dinner.  We went for a walk around the Place  Vendôme me and went inside the Ritz Carlton hotel for a sneak peak.  I loved my first night in Paris!

Let's celebrate!

Talk about having the holiday blues!  The mood in Chicago is very grim.  The Chicago Police is under investigation.  The mayor is constantly defending his actions involving the Laquan McDonald shooting.  Not to mention there's protests happening all around the city.  Everyone wants answers.  The upcoming presidential election has the topic of terrorism on their agenda.  As well as controversial remarks being made involving Muslims in our country.  It does not feel like Christmas at all.
It's a sad time for our city, and for our nation.  My mother was pretty emotional about Thanksgiving without her husband.  Tomorrow me and my brothers will be coming over to help her put up the Christmas tree.  She thought about not putting it up, but we talked her out of it.  I wish she wasn't so sad.
I wish I wasn't so sad!  What gives?  I'm beginning to feel like I'm sinking.  I have friends around me that are having some tough times too.  I don't remember the last time I've been excited about anything.  It's been a while.  I wish I could pack up and leave, just to recharge my batteries.  It's not that I'm overworked.  Hey, I'm content when I AM at work, only because I get to take my mind off myself for 8 hours or so.  But Facebook and other social media reminds us of the world we're living.  A world that is so unsettling.  A world that is unfamiliar to us all.  Not only do we know how scary things can get, it's HOW we handle things that is making me worried.  I miss my old life.
When I returned from Italy back in September, Labor Day had passed.  I remember trying to adjust to my jet lag before I headed back to work.  I walked in and my co-workers noticed right away something was wrong.  I felt lost in translation.  Flying on a Dublin flight to Paris, then walking the streets by myself, jumping on a mini plane to Bari.  Then spending two weeks all around Italy had taken it's toll on me.  Not to mention landing in Chicago and feeling the energy there among the people.  I've been in contact with Irish, French, Italians and now Chicagoans in a matter of 14 days.  It's the most drastic change I've encountered in a while.  I felt so lost.  I still don't know where I'd rather be.
I've obviously adjusted back to my life.  But now things are back to the unfamiliar.  In my own city.  In my own country.  I'm wondering if people around the world feel the same uneasy feeling I do.
Within the following week from being back in Chicago, I attended a dinner for one of my friends for her birthday.  It was at a Tapas restaurant out in Niles called Café Marbella.  The food was delicious.  I remembered tasting the food and thinking to myself how different it was from the Italian food I've been having the past two weeks.  Yet it was still delightfully good.  Maybe a trip to Spain is in my near future?
Afterwards, we didn't know where to go.  We figured let's hop on the expressway and by Rio Nightclub.  We made our way inside and mingled for a bit.  We decided to head downtown.  We passed up Underground and noticed the line wasn't so long.  Then we found parking.  A sign!  Let's see if this is possible. 
Luckily we didn't wait long.  We walked in and had a blast.  Some of the girls in our group have never been to Underground and they loved it.  A table full of men invited us over.  They were at a wedding reception earlier.  We had a great time!  I was happy the birthday girl was enjoying herself.  She deserved the best for her birthday.  It was good times.
It seems so long ago that night.  I hope things look up soon.  I miss me.

Café Marbella in Niles

The birthday girl with her friends

She was happy we made it to her dinner. 

Checking out Rio Nightclub for a bit.

I'm glad I wore my ankle boots and not heels.  It turned out to be a long night!

At Underground Nightclub.  It seemed so long ago. 

Paris is Always a Good Idea!

The bridal shower tea party lasted all day Saturday, but on Sunday I was a nervous wreck.  I had a friend come over and calm me down.  My anxiety has gotten worse over the years when it comes to flying.  I just hate having to sit there for 8 hours.  My stomach wasn't handling food well.  I was running to the bathroom sometimes 4 times a day!  It was ridiculous how nervous I was.  Not to mention, how mad I was at myself for not being able get excited about my trip.  People were noticing something was wrong with me.  Everyone was happy for me except me.  It sucked.
I figured maybe I just have a severe case of motion sickness.  On my way to the airport on Monday I took 2 Dramamine a half hour before takeoff like it recommended.  Someone also suggested taking some sleeping pills so I could sleep on the flight.  I had a bottle of Melatonin with me as well.  I figured having a natural remedy for sleeping pills was safer than something prescribed.  Nothing worked.  I couldn't sleep at all on the flight.  It was so frustrating.  There were moments I was near tears.  I even ordered some wine to relax but it didn't help.  I had a one hour layover in Dublin before heading to Paris.  I felt dizzy there but still stayed awake.  I don't think I slept at all during my flight.  People on the Dublin flight were mostly Irish and they were jolly as ever.  All I heard were people talking excitedly about Ireland.  But on my flight to Paris the tone definitely changed.  No one spoke on that flight.  It made me wonder what I was getting myself into now... 
Once I landed I was so relieved.  I followed the crowd to baggage claim to look for my luggage.  That's when it hit me:  I WAS IN PARIS AND I CAN'T SPEAK FRENCH!!!  What the hell was I thinking??  I looked around nervously to find my way out of the airport.  I did all of my research before my trip took place.  I was going to take public transportation to my hotel.  According to my research, the train station was a few blocks away from where I will be staying at.  Sounds pretty easy, right?
Well, sort of.  I found the public transportation and took the train and got off my stop.  It was a pretty interesting ride I must say!  Paris has a lot of graffiti, so don't let that scare you.  Not much different than what they have in New York.  The crowd getting on and off the train were interesting too.  One thing I observed is that people do stand awfully close to one another.  There's no private space between strangers.  Something I need to watch out for since they are notorious for pick pocketing.  I don't think people were up to no good on my train though, and luckily I wasn't on that long.  Once I got off, that's where the fun began.  I could not find my hotel.  The streets in Paris are short, and don't run long like they do here in Chicago.  I was lost for over an hour.  It was so frustrating.  I asked a waiter at a restaurant and he motioned me to go a few more blocks down, but that's where I got stuck again.  I was so nervous asking for help since I heard so many stories on how the French are rude.  I was very tired, too.  I noticed a bakery on a side street which had croissants displayed.  Well here's something to knock off my bucket list!  I walked in and ordered one huge croissant.  Then I asked the owner for directions.  Even though he didn't speak a lick of English, he saved me that day!!  I showed him the address off my print outs and he held up 3 fingers and motioned me to walk over 3 more blocks.  And low and behold, there was my hotel!!  I was so happy!  Not to mention, that croissant was delish!!  I quickly checked in and passed out in my room.  It was a tiny room but I slept hard for 4 hours.  Not exactly what I had planned to do but I couldn't fight off my jet lag.  Now that I had wifi I messaged my friend in Italy that I was ok.  She was the closest person to me and I told her I would notify her on what I was planning on doing so she could track my whereabouts.  I was traveling alone and I had to be careful since I was a tourist.