Wandering the Musee D'Orsay

Art museums are a dime a dozen in Paris. It seems as if there is one on every corner here. However some are certainly more grand than others. The Musee D'Orsay is grand. And so lovely. Art is housed in an old train station, it's a pretty impressive place to wander through on a rainy afternoon in Paris. 

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L'as Du Fallafel

L'as Du Fallafel is a Parisian institution famed for their yummy chickpea fallafel. Pickled vegetables are stuffed into pita bread around freshly fried chickpea balls and topped with tzatziki and spicy sauce. It's messy. It's cheap. It's yummy. What more do you need? This hole-in-the-wall fallafel shop is on Rue des Rosiers a cute little cobble stone street you'll likely notice it because of the hungry crowd that forms outside of its take away window. L'as Du Fallafel can be found in the 4th Arrondissement in a neighborhood known as the Marais. 

Address: 32-34 Rue Des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France

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The Sacre Coure

Today was day two of work and by the time the end of our shifts came we were itching for some exploring. We decided to (literally and figuratively) make the hike to the Basilique du Sacre Coure. It's in the 18th arrondissement in the top west corner of Paris in the sweet area known as Montmartre. The obnoxiously long metro ride is followed by about 2 billion sets of stairs up the hill to this beautiful place of worship. It's all worth it in the end because not only is the church amazing the view is equally (if not more so) incredible. All of Paris can be seen from the steps of the Sacre Coure.  

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Eiffel Tower + Cherry Blossoms = Paris in Spring Time

Spring in Paris is like Heaven, except for the occasional torrential rain storm, but even then cozied up in a cute cafe with a book while it pours outside doesn't sound so bad. While wandering around the Eiffel tower the other day we came across a couple of beautifully blossomed trees.

I kind of love this place. 

Au Revoir! 

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A trip to the Marche de la Bastille (Also a Crepe)

An ENORMOUS farmers market takes place in the Bastille on Sundays, we decided we needed to check it out. 

But first things first, a stop at the crepe stand and get something with Nutella on it. 

 Ok, better...moving on: The Market! 

This market is amazing, everything is so fresh and booth workers yell prices, products for sell in French over each other. Crowds shuffle through isles and samples of fresh steamed clams are passed out among curious consumers. It's an incredibly unique way to get a glimpse into french culture. 

I can't wait to go back with a grocery list. 

The market starts in the middle of the Bastille neighborhood (12 arrondissement) and goes for a few blocks. It's only open on Thursdays and Sundays from 7am till 3pm.

Au Revoir! 

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Sunday Stroll

I woke up to the bells of Notre Dame this morning. My left bank apartment is a quick walk to the glorious Cathedral and with the sunshine out and the temperatures so warm it was the perfect day for a stroll across the river to admire the giant beauty. 

Along the way vendors were selling trinkets and artwork, kids rode on scooters and people were happily out for their sunday rituals of jogging, bicycle riding and and spending time with family. I passed a man playing an accordion and people reading books in the park and the love lock bridge, which was busy with couples.

It was the perfect Sunday morning. 

The perfect Parisian Sunday morning. 

Au Revoir  

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Off to Bake

The time has come, February 21st - the day I arrived in Paris to follow a dream. Since Culinary School started in fall 2013 I knew I wanted to study French Pastry. I also knew I wanted to try to find an internship in France. I didn't realize what a challenge it would be to find something. I created a resume and cover letter and attached a photo. Then last summer I delivered the letters via email and in person when I visited France. I sent out hundreds of letters, most of which got no response, some just got a simple no. I was disappointed but began making other arrangements for my internship. Until last fall semester after classes had started I decided to give it one last go, I sent my resume out to several bakeries. The next day I had an email back from the owner of Sugar Plum Cake shop accepting my application. I ran laps around my moms kitchen, holding my phone in the air, shouting at the top of my lungs "PAAAAAARIS, PAAAAAAAAAAARIS". My family was confused until I explained the turn of events to them and then they were all shouting "PAAAAAARIS" with me (ok maybe not that last part but you know, they were supportive).

Months of preparations took place and money saving begun. I arranged for my best baker friend Jessye to join me on my quest (she is in my same year at school) and we got down to business, arranging for an apartment to sublet and booking flights, and in general pumping each other up for our grand adventure. We finished classes in late December and I moved home to my Parents house with my husband so that we could continue to save money. I worked for a month at home at a local Salt Lake City bakery and then finally the day came. Today. And now I'm in Paris and it doesn't seem real.

Leaving was really hard. The excitement to leave wore off about 2 weeks ago. It was replaced with nervous butterflies. I was dreading the airport and leaving Adam. I didn't want to be away from him. And sure enough the airport came and Ugly cry face came out for a solid 2 hours. My poor seat mate on the plane was probably certain that I was terminally ill and going to Paris to live out my final days. But I'm doing better now. Adam created a motto for us during the hard times: "Dreams take Sacrifice" It's so true - this is our sacrifice. Being separated for a couple of months. And I can't say that being here completely takes the pain away from not being with him but it does sort of numb it. I know I'll see him soon. And until then all I can do is enjoy this time. I'm finding that, that is going to be incredibly easy to do, I mean duh! It's Paris.

While I'm here I'll keep this blog up to date with fun stories of settling in and how in the world I'm going to communicate with these people. (No hablo French). I will share the up's and the downs. And there will be lots and lots of photos, because duh! It's Paris.

So buckle up because for 66 days it's all things French.

Au Revoir!!

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