Five years ago, I traveled
to Paris for the first time. This was
only my second trip to Europe, and I had no clue what was in store for me.
I merely had about 48 hours to spend in the City of Lights with my now husband. Back then, I was
working 6 days a week as a pastry chef and rarely got time off. I was giddy
simply to be in Paris!
Blurry eyed, I landed
around 6 a.m. and took the train into Paris by myself. Luckily, Jason met me at
Gare du Norde since he had arrived the night before from London, where he had been working for two months. We immediately
dropped my suitcase off at our hotel and headed to Ladurée to squelch my
macaroon and pain au chocolat desires.
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| We stayed at a hotel that was close enough to Ladurée so I could buy pastries there every day! |
Then, we strolled down to
the Place de la Concorde, through the Tulieries Garden and by the Louvre Museum.
I had no desire to wait in line to see the Mona Lisa so Jason steered us toward
another garden, which I later learned was the Jardin du Palais Royal. It’s ironic now to look back and realize
how few photos I took that initial weekend in Paris!
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May 2009 - Jason and I exploring Paris.
We walked under a canopy
of trees and then admired the beautiful roses, which seemed as large as salad
plates to me. The park was tranquil and set back from the business of Paris. I
couldn’t have asked for a more romantic place at that moment.
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I don’t really remember
how it happened, but there we were sitting on a park bench and talking about
who knows what. Suddenly, Jason got down on one knee and pulled a small, black
box out of his jacket’s pocket. I couldn’t believe it! Finally!
The box included a mini
spotlight that shone on the sparkling diamond ring. Jason asked me to marry
him, and I said yes! After all, we were in Paris.
The weather looked like it might rain soon, so we headed for lunch
at Au Pied de Cochon, 6 rue Coquillière. We celebrated our engagement over French rillettes de porc, oysters, champagne
and who knows what else. (Sadly, I’m lacking in food porn pictures from back
then.)
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| May 2009 - Showing off my new ring at lunch in Paris. |
In May, almost
exactly 5 years later, we returned to Au Pied de Cochon for dinner. I couldn’t
have asked for a better dinner date or partner in our crazy expat life!
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| May 2014 - A return trip for dinner at Au Pied de Cochon. |
So now
you know why Paris will always hold a special place in my heart!
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| May 2014 - Of course, we had to re-visit the lovely Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris. |
