Our Journey to a Parisian Wedding (Chapter 2)

On Cat's recommendation, we tried this popular restaurant that served Raclette,  which is basically a traditional dish of gooey melted cheese paired with baked potatoes, prosciutto, baguette bread, served alongside some baby dill pickles. This had all the makings of a fine dinner; good folks, cold white wine, and good company. 

MMM... CHEESE (Homer voice). 

FOOD PORN.

The following morning we got up bright and early to make our first museum stop at Musee d'Orsay.  

It was originally the terminus for the railways back in the 1900s, but was repurposed into an amazing museum to curate rad sculptures and artwork back in the 1970s.

It was originally built in 1900 to be a train station but was closed in 1939 when its platforms became too small for the long trains of modern times.

 The large terminal clock was impressively ornate.

It housed one of the most famous and recognizable paintings in recent history, a Vincent Van Gogh portrait. 

It also featured an amazing Edgar Degas sculpture:

The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer.

I was in awe of the sculpture up close. Degas' use of bronze for the figure, cotton for the dancer's skirt, and even the attention to detail with the satin hair ribbon, made it a standout piece at the museum. 

Will, the trouble maker. vogue.

how cute are these love birds? 

Nearby was the infamous bridge where many have displayed their tiny metal gestures of love for each other. 


Love Lock Bridge

It is one of the most recognizable representations of symbolic love I've witnessed thus far. Each section of these chain fences had hundreds or thousands of locks attached to the bridge. Just imagine how many people there actually are in the world that have devoted their love to each other in this simple act.

it ain't official until you lock it in rich. 

After you clasp that love lock on the fence, tradition states you gotta throw that key into river. Destiny did just that :) 




Our Journey to a Parisian Wedding (Chapter 1)

What is there to say about Paris that hasn't been said?

Well, whatever you may have heard, it is true.


Paris is the most romantic city that I've ever been to, but also one of the most enchanting. Looking down every street and avenue is a picture perfect opportunity. 

Our trip started out from LAX making our way across the great Atlantic through Air New Zealand. It is one of the nicest international flights I've ever taken. The alcohol was unlimited and the entertainment was top notch (Birdman is a great movie btw). 

With not too much jet lag, we ventured to our Air BnB where we got situated for the night's activity.

We got lucky with this view. 

We ended the first night with a tour bus ride around town until we our final stop at the Moulin Rouge. 
Review of Moulin Rouge: I gave it 2/5, mostly because I was expecting something similar to the Nicole Kidman movie, however what we got was more of Paris by Night from Little Saigon. There were some stand up talent acts however, such as a woman that was dancing in a pool of snakes. Bottom line though, overall, it was rather campy. 

The next day we got up bright and early to pick up some baguette sandwiches and people watch. 

I seriously think I could eat a briscutto and goat cheese baguette every morning for the rest of my life, can you believe it was only $3.50? I'll take 2.

One of the key differences between Orange County and Paris is the fact that walking is a big part of their culture. The subways and foot commutes are the main modes of transportation and I like that. Walking around the3rd district, one always has something to look at. Whether it be a space invader graffiti piece along a side of a building, or the fashionable Parisians with their nicely wrapped scarves, it all had a chic energy and vibe.

After eating, we ended up meeting up the happy married couple-to-be, Cat & Richard, at their swanky Air BnB (peep the Andy Warhol portraits). We were then off to the subway for the first time to visit the world famous garden cemetery Pere Lachaise.

  The garden cemetery was first built in 1804; it has been known to be the resting place of many famous people such as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison from the Doors, Edith Piaf, even the famous Polish composer, Fryderyk Chopin. There's a wide spectrum of people that have RIP'd here.

After the rough walk over some bumpy cobble stones (Destiny's feet weren't too happy). It was off on another subway ride to get some delicious BLOOD SAUSAGES and wine. I know it sounds weird, but man was it tasty and unexpected. I really couldn't read the menu because it was all in french, but Rich and I decided to get something we had never tried and we ended up loving it. Presentation on fleek.

Sometimes it pays to be adventurous.

Sifting through so many amazing memories of this enchanting city had me feeling inspired and humbled. I was captivated by all that I saw, tasted, heard, and experienced.