Paris Pt. 2
This next part is the reason why I decided to go to Europe. After returning from Barcelona, the next few days were spent reuniting with my close friends that I had made during my second year of studying abroad in Chengdu, China. I hadn’t seen any of them since 2017-2018, so I was extremely excited to see as many of my friends as I could during this trip. Sadly, a few of them I couldn’t see, but I did end up seeing some friends that I hadn’t thought I would be able to see; it all balanced out.
Friday morning, the first friend (Geoffroy) arrived in the morning on the train. He is currently living in another area of France but took time off of work so he could spend the long weekend with Catie and I. It was an emotional reunion to say the least. During the time in China, I think Catie, Geoffroy and I spent the most time together. It felt like old times all over again. We went and had breakfast at Carette’s (apparently known for the best hot cocoa in Paris). We ordered scrambled eggs which were a whopping $13 and the hot cocoa was $10. Very pricey but delicious.
We met up with another friend, Fabian, who came all the way from Germany to spend the weekend with us. To reminisce about old times, we decided to get Sichuan food at a place called Trois Fois plus de Piment. The food was so good and we got to relive many memories. We were right next to a floor to chair height wide open window on the second floor without a screen and we laughed saying it truly was like China with the disregard for customer safety.
Of course, we had to get coffee afterwards, so we walked the short way to a cafe called Le Nelson’s. The drinks were good, but the thing that stunned us the most was the extravagant bathroom. It was a dark room with couches and a piano and then three urn-like sinks that you turned on with a foot pedal. There were also six different soaps to choose from. Pictured below is a cafe that we passed by. I forgot to take photos of the cafe we sat at.
The rest of the afternoon we wandered along the Seine and enjoyed the views. It was very hot but I somehow survived. Funny stories that occurred during this time: #1. A little background: In China, all our friends got a nickname and funny stories relating to that name. Mine was Lady Rose and I had a private jet. So, Fabian was asking me to drop him off in Germany before I headed back to the U.S. I told him that regrettably I couldn’t do that since Germany is in the opposite direction of where I need to go. #2. Typical Americans using Fahrenheit, Catie and I were talking about it being over 100 degrees back home and Geoffroy and Fabian were laughing and saying they would burn alive if that was in Celsius. #3. Geoffroy and Fabian were asking me how I flew to Europe. I hand motioned the plane going up and over the ocean and they were laughing and asked me if I thought they were dumb. Of course they knew that’s what a plane did, but I was motioning that I went up and over Iceland and down.
For dinner, we had made reservations at Les Rupins. Only two days before, I contacted Aurelien (Geoffroy’s roommate in China) and asked him what he was doing. He dropped all his plans and said he would come to dinner with us since we were in Paris. Nicolas (the French friend who we saw in Versailles) was also planning on joining. Typical Geoffroy said he would be on time but then was twenty minutes late. The food and drinks were fabulous and it was great having everyone together and catching up on everyone’s lives. Nicolas was so sweet and got Catie and I each a bottle of wine and an alcoholic syrup.
After dinner, we were going to go to a bar, but every one we passed was so crowded. Aurelien suggested buying alcohol at the mart and then sitting at Canal Saint-Martin. It was a true French experience. I don’t think I saw any foreigners and we were surrounded by our friends speaking French, as well. We stayed there for hours (our butts were proof of sitting on the rocks). Saying goodbye to Aurelien and Nicolas was sad but we said we should plan another trip next year. Aurelien gave us the French kisses on each cheek (reminded me of when I lived in Spain and Argentina). Then, we walked back to our hotel and passed out.
I couldn’t believe that it was already our last full day in Europe. Geoffroy, Catie, Fabian and I met up and went out for brunch at a restaurant that I can’t seem to find the name for.
We walked over to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont to chill in the shade for quite a while. It was peaceful and cool despite the high humidity.
We were in the Belleville area so we went to Parc de Belleville where we met up with Geoffroy’s brother, Antoine. We relaxed in the shade there and ate some treats that we had purchased at a bakery. We went to a cafe for the rest of the afternoon before parting ways with Antoine.
For dinner, we made reservations at Les Vinaigriers with my childhood friend, Jenn. It was great seeing her after so many years, and I was happy to introduce her to so many of my friends. We had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant.
The bar of the night was located right above Moulin Rouge. Bar A Bulles had an outdoor area with the backside view of the windmill. The drinks were great and we had lots of fun. To continue the French experience, we ate the drunk food of choice; crepes. To end the night, we chilled outside Sacre Coeur. I think it was around 3 when I finally went to sleep. It was such a fun ending night to the trip.
I woke up super early since Catie had to leave for the airport at 7 am. Fabian, Geoffroy and I took her to Gare du Nord and said goodbye. It was really sad but we promised that we would plan a trip sometime soon so that we can meet up again (hopefully not another four year wait). Then, I had a few more hours before I had to leave so we ate brunch at Cafe du Nord. Geoffroy and Fabian were so nice to walk me back and then help me take my luggage to the station. It was surreal that the time had already ended, but I am sure we will meet again soon!
