Bonjour!

This afternoon, I start my blog from the line to the Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral on Ile de la Cité. It’s slow moving, but I think it will be worth it! What better way to pass the time than to reflect on the start of my day?

I woke up fairly early this morning to some confusion over my plans. I wanted to visit the opera house with Sara and her class, but I was having trouble coordinating check-out and check-in with my respective Airbnb hosts. I ended up alternating between napping and planning until about 11 when I packed up and set off for the streets. The Airbnb roommate was shocked when I emerged from my room, and then she went on to apologize for playing her music so loud. I had to ask her to repeat herself in English, and she explained that she didn’t know I was home. I’ll admit I was a bit peeved when she began blasting the music at ten, but I was too tired to get up and do anything about it, and I managed to nap through the noise just fine. I said one last goodbye to the my pretty street in southern Paris before making the trek down the six flights of stairs.

I had yet more confusion connecting with my new Airbnb host in the Northern part of Paris. ‘My apartment is the one next to the stairs,’ he said. I arrived on the landing of the third floor to find five doors, all equally spaced from the stairs. I had a moment of relief when I found one with his name on it, but nobody would answer the door! I tried one other closest to the stairs, to no avail. In the end, I paid €5 to use WiFi in the building for 24 hours and contacted my host online. Almost immediately, a young woman emerged from one of the other doors.

Ha! Quite a mess. The apartment area and building are a smidge sketchy, but I positively love the interior of the apartment. I would definitely live here! No pictures yet, but trust me when I say it is adorable. Now to figure out if the bottle of wine and two glasses on the coffee table are for us….

I was upset about paying for WiFi, but it was worth it in the end. About two seconds after setting my things down, I got a mysterious message from Sara. After a quick exchange, she let me know that her teacher had accidentally purchased an extra ticket to the opera house, and if I could get there quickly, I could take the ticket for free! Don’t have to tell me twice. I was up and at ’em in two seconds. I stopped quickly along the way to grab un petit brioche poulet at a little street shop, and it hit the spot as I walked along a bustling shopping street.

It really reminded me of Strøget in Copenhagen, so I felt at home! I was a little worried about finding Sara at the Opera, but as I rounded a corner, the gargantuan building loomed above, and I saw Sara’s smiling face and frantic waving down below in line.

I ran across and joined her, and we began wandering in awe inside as we searched for her class.

Her teacher, Ellen, was so sweet and knowledgeable. I love having tour guides at these historic places, so that was lovely! And the interior of the opera house was divinely gorgeous.

Ooh! Ahh! Oui! Oui!

I could live here. I just wish the ballet was in season! They’re currently in rehearsals for their September show.

After thanking Ellen profusely, she invited my mom and me to join the class to Fontainebleau later this week, so we might do that, too! I also got to see the class do some mini presentations, and I was extremely impressed with the students’ accents. They were just all blabbing away while I watched in surprise.

Afterward, we were free to roam the opera house.

There was an adorable library in one wing!

And there was an exhibit on Picasso and dance downstairs. I love it.

Sara left a bit early to go back to class, so I stayed and enjoyed the view from the balcony for a while.

Then I went on to shop a bit, fresh squeezed orange juice and pain au chocolat in hand.

I decided to head to Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral, where I started this blog. The cathedral is famous for its stained glass windows.

C’est belle!

What I enjoyed even more though, was the Palais de Justice.

This giant courthouse was either out of business hours or out of season, because the place was completely empty.

I spent about an hour just roaming the giant, silent halls, never sure if I was allowed to be where I was. I opened doors that I thought would be locked and walked past empty reception desks with signs I couldn’t read, tiptoeing and looking over my shoulder the whole way.

It was so fun! I kept wanting to go upstairs and see if I could peek into any courtrooms, but I chickened out in the end and had to get back to meet Sara.

I did manage to grab a crepe on the way, but while I was trying to put away my purse, I tilted it on accident and the entire mound of whipped cream on top came tumbling to the ground in a giant splat. It was so sad. I picked up the little spoon and ran away so I could enjoy my now-only-nutella crepe in peace.

I found Sara’s university campus, and it is adorable!

Also, the art in her dorm is Lizzy-approved.

We did a little bit of shopping…

And wandering near the Notre Dame Cathedral…

Lastly, we picked up Mama from the train station!

She made it all the way here on her own. Go Mom! We stopped for some delicious Napoli-style pizza, navigated the trains once more, and now we sit cozy in our little apartment.

Our host left us wine to drink, so that’s exciting. Tehehehe. Off to Luxembourg tomorrow, because why not?

Bonne nuit, et au revoir!
-Lizzy-wa