The Day of Flea Markets

Our first stop this morning were the flea markets of Paris. I had read all about how these were the place to go in Paris. They were pretty far outside of the city, but only a metro ride away. Getting out of the metro and walking to the entrance of the flea markets was pretty sketchy. The entrance was also kind of hidden. It was like a doorway to a different world. There were pins, purses, furniture, boxes, fabric, prints, rugs, clothes, trinkets, china, tea pots, coffee grinders, antiques, anything and everything vintage. You could walk around and around this market and you felt like there were new hidden areas around every corner. It was seriously the weirdest environment, but I loved it. We walked back to the metro and there was more sketchy areas. There were lots of people trying to sell things or knock offs, or cheap stuff and I had the feeling it was illegal. We were trying to find lunch, and we went into this super cute eclectic restaurant but they didn't seem to have much food? or wouldn't seat us? it was very confusing because they speak French and we weren't sure how to communicate what we needed. We ended up going back to the hotel and the girls wanted to relax, but this was our last full day in Paris, and me being a Paris junkie could not sit down while there was the beautiful city to explore. Annah agreed to go to Angelina's with me to get their famous hot chocolate. We first stopped at leclair de genie to get some eclairs. Then got a table at Angelina's. The way they serve the hot chocolate is a pitcher of super dark thick cholate and then a bowl of like whipped cream. So you pour the hot chocolate in your cup and then add the cream to dilute it. It was so RICH, but we enjoyed it and the experience was so fancy! We had a great time.

We then decided to meet the others at the boat tour entrance for our tour down the Seine. It was slightly raining but it let up as we were on the boat. It was the perfect way to end our last night in Paris. One last overall view and tour of the city. It was super cold, but the views were worth it. So we started right at the Pont Neuff bridge, and the Louvre was the first attraction. Then the Royal bridge, the oldest of the 37 bridges in Paris. The orsay museum, Concorde bridge, Alexander the III bridge which was beautiful, invalides hotel which houses the tomb of Napoleon, Eiffel tower, the gilded flame which matches that of the statue of liberty and a gift from America, Saint Michel bridge, Notre Dame, Saint Louis island, the mary bridge which is the most romantic bridge. The story behind it is you make a wish the first time you pass under it and then kiss the person next to you and it'll come true. I made a wish but no kissing for me lol. I ate my yummy eclairs on the boat and then we went to dinner after the boat ride. We picked a fancier restaurant to try some French cuisine. We tried escargot and I loved it! Buttery and delish. I also had duck which was tender and flavorful and definitely worth it. We then went back to the shakespeare coffee place and bookstore where I bought a couple books! Including Pride and Prejudice, Lab Girl, and a cute little book about a bee in Paris. Paris surpassed all expectations and I will be back. My favorite place of all time. The most beautiful and romantic city.