Paris, France with Carissa

Monday morning 6:47am – Switzerland

Watching the scenic blur of the Switzerland countryside go by from a train bound for Zurich, I find myself heading to meet my friend Ruslan Mutland to do interviews for World Without Orphans.

My time in Paris with Carissa now seems like a dream. Our unforgettable travels are a high energy adrenaline rush that leaves one breathless in the aftermath. Every since Carissa and I journeyed alone to Chicago in 2005 I knew that we were kindred spirits when it comes to travel. What one of us dreams up, the other perfects. We each acknowledge our love of traveling in solitude, but together, we are an unbeatable force of motion. From our memorable rafting trip down Oregon’s Rogue river to our lighthouse tours on the west coast to our recent adventures in Africa, Turkey and the Philippines, we have acquired a treasure trove of memories.

Paris was a new ballgame, but this European challenge was no match for our combined forces. We quickly abandoned the typical tourist pursuits that involve time wasting lines and innumerable tourists and instead explored the mysteries of Paris that lie off the beaten path. The heartbeat of Paris if you will, the Paris of our dreams. Carissa’s research produced a gastronomic adventure that took us from one culinary pursuit to another. With our nights ending in the wee others of the morning, we perfected the Parisian art of flanerie (people watching) at the likes of Cafe de Flore, Les Deux Magots and Earnest Hemingway’s favorite, Brasserie Lipp.

Our Vespa scooter unlocked the magic of Paris in a way no other form of transportation could have. With Carissa clinging to my back with her right arm and navigating the Iphone gps with her other we left no stone uncovered. From the culinary genius of French-Japanese fusion at Nanashi, latte’s at Cafe Pinson, to the rooftop magic of Le Perchoir, savoring our tart lemon sherbet and berries topped with a crispy earl grey meringue while taking in the nighttime view of the Sacré-Cœur.

Time left no room to process photo’s each night and I vowed to myself and Carissa to put off the usual photo/story blogs till my return home. Until then, here are a few images that will always hold a special place in my heart.

“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” -Ernest Hemingway

Paris with Carissa 1 Paris with Carissa 2

Train ride to Paris from Lausanne, Switzerland

Train ride to Paris from Lausanne, Switzerland

Our Parisian Airbnb... five delightful floors up

Our Parisian Airbnb… five delightful floors up

Paris with Carissa 5 Paris with Carissa 6

Nicholas, our excellent tour guide

Nicholas, our excellent tour guide

The Louve

The Louve

Cafe Pinson

Cafe Pinson

Nanashi

Nanashi

Nanashi

Nanashi

Strolling the canals of Paris, Amelie bridge with a L'escargot chocolat pistache from Du Pain et des Idees

Strolling the canals of Paris, Amelie bridge with a L’escargot chocolat pistache from Du Pain et des Idees

L'escargot chocolat pistache from Du Pain et des Idees

L’escargot chocolat pistache from Du Pain et des Idees

Le Perchoir,

Le Perchoir,

Paris with Carissa 15 Paris with Carissa 16 Paris with Carissa 17 Paris with Carissa 18 Paris with Carissa 19 Paris with Carissa 20

Our new friend and waiter at Buvette

Our new friend and waiter at Buvette

Buvette

Buvette

Paris with Carissa 23 Paris with Carissa 24 Paris with Carissa 25

Cimetière de Montmartre

Cimetière de Montmartre

Cimetière de Montmartre

Cimetière de Montmartre

Paris with Carissa 28 Paris with Carissa 29 Paris with Carissa 30

Our “Paris, The City of Love” video

 

 

rdmosley
rdmosley1@me.com
1 Comment
  • Pingback:The Paris of Our Dreams | coastal traveler
    Posted at 09:18h, 04 May Reply

    […] Like like last time, we loved exploring the mysteries of Paris that lie off the beaten path. The heartbeat of Paris if you will, the Paris of our dreams. See former blog post – Paris, France with Carissa […]

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