My first day in Paris

Waking up in Paris feels so surreal. Having spent most of yesterday either in the air or waiting in airports, I was dead tired by the time we got to our final destination. Yet, after some rest and a well deserved shower, I decided to have a walk around the city to adjust myself to my new home for the next week.

I am amazed how one city can have so many sights in what seems to be every few streets I wander down. Luckily, being able to speak French, it was easy to order food and read directions.

I am staying with Anne, a Parisian originally from Normandy, whom I met in Cape Town when she joined my office at Rothko, two years ago. Her six-month internship was in Public Relations and was a chance to improve her English while I could practice my French. Showing her around Cape Town was a lot of fun. Now I have been fortunate enough to be welcomed to her home in Paris and, hopefully, with some insider tips, get to experience some hidden gems, often rushed past on the way to the tourist traps. 

My goal is to write about the food and culture of the French and document some street photography. 

Firstly, after resting from my travels it is time for the obligatory Eiffel Tower selfie.

The scale of the tower suprised me most and the art deco detail is going to be amazing to see up close when we go up to the top.

It seems this spot is popular with wedding photos.

We then headed to Rue du Bac, a shopping street with lots of pastry shops and cafés. One of these was Bac des Glaces, a cute little artisinal ice cream shop where we had the best dessert made from real natural ingredients. We settled on pear ice cream and an all time favorite flavour of mine, pistachio. It was delicious. 

Do you know of any cafes I should add to my list?

Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Check out some of my visits to other European countries, like these two, for example:

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