retrouvailles

Inspired by Valentine's Day (and each other), most, if not all of my online haunts are publishing articles on love and marriage. I've become very well-versed in related findings and opinions as a result. Just yesterday, I tweeted a quote from a lesser controversial piece by Alex Brueckner: "the feeling of overwhelming relief and joy that accompanies seeing someone after a long separation." Beautiful explanation of the French sentiment, retrouvailles, isn't it? I, too, am fascinated by these words that cannot be translated.

I've felt many of them as well, in the romantic sense and not. Spending so much time at home, for instance, reminded me of all the reasons why I miss my family and New York-based friends. It was a refreshing comfort to be in their company for such a long time.

Perhaps more so than any previous visit, I was really upset to say goodbye. And yet... Paris has re-embraced me with such affection. This week and the past weekend booked up with little effort. My sweet friends and I were able to pick up right where we left off.

Sunday afternoon, I met Rachael and Lorelei at Artisan for a leisurely brunch. 'Twas the first time this favorite place of mine was serving it. Unsurprisingly, our mezcal Bloody Marys, croque monsieurs, and crêpes were amazing. My favorite part though, besides the food and drink and even conversation, was the affirmation of "I missed you"s. It always is the people that make a place special. Yes, I'm happy to be reunited with those that make Paris for me. I'll return to the US (for my best friend's wedding!) soon enough.

le mexique

Tell someone you're going to Mexico, and s/he'll probably hear you're vacationing with sand and sun soon. Most south-of-the-border trips are that simple. This one's different special though. My parents and I are visiting my dad's hometown; my dad's small, rural hometown tucked beside the Sierra de Mazamitía in the Mexican state of Jalisco. I haven't been there in 15 years.

We're escaping a snowy New York to spend a week at my grandparents' house. I distinctly remember milking cows with my dad and abuelo upon waking, retrieving fresh eggs from the coop, helping my grandmother make tortillas, and playing along the canal with my cousins. I'm excited to (again) experience the festive reunion in San Francisco. Wish me luck with, por favor! Living in Paris hasn't exactly helped my Spanish... at all :). See you in February with photos of our beach-less Mexican getaway.

last night en tricolor

Before this year, I'd never really celebrated Bastille Day. But living in Paris kind of obliges one to ;) luckily, a festive Facebook invitation aided me with such obligations. "Let us gather to celebrate the best of our adopted homeland by eating and drinking together in the heart of the city." So, together with the hostess, Rachael, Lorelei, Lara, and many new (and less new) friends, I did...

I'm so glad to have photographic evidence of the fabulous time we had; a lovely reminder that being hungover tired most of the day today was worth it. Now that we've both had a chance to enjoy it though, I really should be going to bed. My new bed, mind you! I'm officially moved and settled into a quaint little studio in the heart of les Batignolles. Couldn't be happier :).

super nature superfoods

Healthy, it's an elusive concept. My definition? Being healthy is spending time with people I love eating food I enjoy, food that nourishes me in the ways I need nourishing; falling asleep soundly and dreaming for 7+ hours; taking every opportunity to use my legs to explore, my arms to carry, and my core to hold it all together; taking alone time to reflect, rejuvenate; letting myself cry sometimes, but trying to laugh more often than not. To me, being healthy is being happy, and in that happiness, treating myself and all around me well.

My individual understanding of "healthy" becomes especially interesting when I place it in a distinct cultural context. Previously, it's been Ecuadorian, Chilean, and French... and now, even more specifically, it's Parisian. There are characteristics that remind me of the New York health food scene: organic open-air markets, green juice bars, vegetarian cafés. And then there are others that are distinctly Parisian: 3-course, prix-fixe brunches with dessert, for instance. A recent experience at Super Nature comes to mind.

Boy have I been craving healthy, in every sense of the word. The craziness of these past few weeks has meant lots and lots of mental stimulation, but it's also meant less girls nights, green vegetables, and quality rest. I've been sitting at my desk more often than not and stress-induced insomnia has all but replaced a good night's sleep. I can tell, too. I feel sluggish, breakouts have been more frequent and my clothes don't fit quite like they used to. And it's because the Hive last weekend that I reflected on it.

Believe it or not, I used to identify as "a healthy food blogger." I studied nutrition, ran a few races, and drank a ton of green smoothies. And then, at some point, I lost interest. I wanted to be able to embrace travel and food without worrying about whether or not it fit my narrow view of what was "good for me." I reveled in the joie de vivre. I become more flexible in my lifestyle. But, I never stopped caring; I still believe that if we don't feel our best, we can't possibly enjoy all the goodness around us. So, this is my pledge to focus on healthy living a little bit more in these weeks to come. It is possible to embrace healthy in a (dare I say it) healthier way, even here in Paris. And with that, I'm off to bed. Looking forward to cleaner eats and exercise tomorrow.

second set of visitors

When you're moving to a city like Paris, everyone is going to visit you. Then, they don't. It's not that these people weren't being genuine in their intentions, nor that they don't want to be (they do--mostly because they miss you, but also because it's "the City of Lights") trouble is, flights are expensive, traveling is expensive, and taking off a sufficient amount of time from work is not always an option. I understand completely.

So when my mom and sister came in November, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was challenging to juggle grad school with visitors, but giving two of the most important people in my life a glimpse into the life I'd made here was certainly worth it. I savored every moment. It was just what I needed before wrapping up my first semester, taking a weekend getaway to Prague, and heading home before the holidays.

Whereas hosting family is wonderful thing though, hosting friends is another. There's something uniquely special about connections between those with whom you have no true obligation. And for that, I cannot even begin to express to you how thankful I am to have friends who keep in touch, who make it a point to visit.

Anna and Leslie arrived early on Friday afternoon. After meeting them at Gare du Nord, I led them back to my neighborhood where we grabbed a late lunch at L'Auberge Rouge (my favorite) and had front row seats to a car being towed across the street. Then I introduced them to ma chambre de bonne (and the six long flights of stairs it takes to get to it). We took a little while to rest and refresh before heading out again.

That evening, we walked around the 6th, had a cocktail aperitif at Le Pub Saint-Germain, and followed it with galettes and crêpes alongside cups of cider at my now favorite crêperie in Paris.

Fast forward to Monday. They set out for La Cinématique française and Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration, while I began my second semester of grad school. (I'm just excited about this round of classes as I was for the last, by the way... and still a nerd). In between, we met up for "the best" croque madames.

 

Later that night, I introduced them to the guy I've been dating. 

In the midst of seamless conversation at my favorite wine bar, Le Garde Robe, we shared two bottles of  wine, a platter of charcuterie, another of cheeses, a beautiful array of vegetables, and a slice of chocolate cake. 

Oh, and he was approved (woo)! 

I had classes Tuesday as well, but only in the morning and early afternoon. Afterwards, I met them at a closed Centre Pompidou (boo) and introduced them to the heaven that is merci. It was especially appreciated in the rain and gloom that is most of Parisian winter weather. For dinner, we planned on the Palais de Tokyo.

Unfortunately, a haute couture party disrupted our plans. Instead, we ended up eating light meals at a random brasserie before heading into my favorite beer bar, La Fine Mousse; it could've been worse :).

Wednesday (my weekday off this semester) began with French breakfasts at my local boulangerie.

Our day continued as follows: a late morning visit to the Musée Carnavalet,

an entertaining and hearty two-course lunch at L'Auberge Flora near the Bastille,

an afternoon of shopping through vintage stores and designer boutiques in the Marais, 

treats to go (a.k.a. the best macarons) at Pierre Hermé in Gallerie Lafayette,

and finally, after our plans were rearranged because of a sensitive stomach and another (!) haute couture party at my favorite Lebanese restaurant, Rimal, an unexpected 12-dish mezze at a discounted price.

Thank you, Anna and Leslie for an absolutely incredible week.

As for everyone else, please stay tuned for a recap of our weekend in Marrakech. It's worth the wait! :)

merci, vayable

"Mommy and Deanna are here!" I thought as I jumped out of bed on Friday morning... late. Oops. I showered, ate breakfast, and got ready as quickly as I could, and by 10:20am, I was out the door, running down 6 flights of stairs (carefully, kind of) to meet them at my metro station. 

They hadn't gotten all the way there on their own though. Anne, a designer, Vayable guide, and blogger at Prêt à Voyager had met them at their hotel. For the next three hours she introduced my mom and little sister to, in essence, what Paris really is. And to the concept that it is indeed "most beautiful in the rain."

We stumbled upon a brocante in the Northermost Marais,

took a stroll through le Marché des Enfants Rouge,

came across a familiar face,

  and explored more of Galerie Perrotin,

being sure to amuse ourselves with quite a few photos.

 Then we ventured to merci for shopping and design inspiration...

I truly could've moved in.

But for the sake of my lovely guests, we continued on

first to BONTON for laughs in its photobooth, next to Chocolaterie Joséphine Vannier.

From there we headed to Place des Vosges and caught the bus to the Left Bank.

Anne pointed out more than a couple of sites along the way, of course.

But once we'd made it to the Latin Quarter, we wandered by foot once more,

past Shakespeare and Company and into Notre-Dame.

By the time the clock struck one, I was so beyond impressed with Anne and her "Navigate Paris" tour. And then she dropped us off at Crêperie des Pêcheurs to enjoy the ideal rainy day lunch I'd previously only had the chance to tell my mom and sister about. I don't believe any of us could've loved Paris more.

Thank you, Anne for helping me make it so sweetly so at the weekend's beginning... to be continued...