I Am So Happy.

We arrived yesterday via the Thalys from Brussels and I could almost feel the moment we crossed the border to France. The day was a bit overcast and raining from time to time but I certainly didn't mind. I am in Paris. We arrived at our apartment on the Avenue de Republic out in the 11th Arr. It is on the 4th floor, traditionally Haussmanian and the perfect place to spend a week. The view out the front window is mundane, but fabulous to me at the same time. We can see into our neighbors apartments to observe their everyday life and it doesn't feel like spying. On the opposite corner is a cafe and next door a pharmacy with the ubiquitous glowing green cross. I watched the "little green men," my name for the ever present sanitation crew, clean the sidewalks. Yesterday we got acquainted with our neighborhood by wondering about looking for places to shop for the necessities; cheese, wine, breakfast makings and coffee. This morning, I got to do something that I had always wanted to do, run to the corner patisserie to pick up croissants for breakfast. The building has a tiny 2 person elevator that may or may not be working all the time, we will see. The living room and dining room open on to each other via "French" doors and a parkay floor runs throughout the house. The kitchen is tiny but complete but I believe they have splurged on the refrigerator, it holds much more then the traditional days worth of food. Everyone loves the apartment, it suits us well.

Our first day out was so close to perfect. The sun was shining brightly with little wind. I took the crew to the Trocadero stop for their (well the W's) first sighting of my favorite view. It does seem a bit cheesy for me to love the Eiffel Tower so much but I unabashadly do. We took lots of photos and then crossed the river to take some more. We then wondered somewhat aimlessly through the 7th, 6th and 5th Arrondisments. Hunger caught up with us around 1:30 and we lucked upon a small restaurant the perfect menu for us. I was able to get Onion soup, though not the greatest, and a large salad. Most followed suit. We then shopped a bit and ventured across to Notre Dame and into the Right Bank. The group split up for a few hours and then regrouped back at the apartment. CF and I ran to the market to refresh our breakfast makings and then we headed down to the cafe next door for a nice dinner.

I believe the W's are falling for my city and that makes me happy. I know the others were already fans but I love to get the new recruits.

I know I haven't put any pictures yet but be sure to check MW's photos, they are so much better then mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplywithstyle/collections/72157602883992864/

Thanks for reading.