“Marika’s Blog from France”

Bonjour!

I must have imagined this moment countless times while sitting at my desk at school. In French class, I would draw the Eiffel Tower on the back pages of my notebook and dream of one day holding a colourful umbrella like Geneviève in “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”, strolling down a cosy street in Paris, and sitting in a café watching the raindrops while French chansons played in the background. I was waiting to be swept up in a magical adventure.

To me, Paris always seemed like a fairy tale from a film, something out of reach. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, after all... For better or worse, that still hasn’t changed.

Years went by, and one day I realised you can’t leave your dreams in someone else’s hands or put them on a shelf forever. I told myself: if not now, then when? I packed my suitcase and flew to Paris on my own.

My first stop, of course, was the Eiffel Tower. There it stood, just as grand and graceful as I remembered it from childhood. I stood in the crowd, everyone around me looking happy, then took out my phone and texted my mum:

“Mum, today I really understood why everyone loves Paris.”

Luckily, mobineX’s roaming internet in France works brilliantly. I shared those lovely moments with my mum, and she replied straight away.

There really is a strange kind of magic in the air in this city.

I spent the whole day wandering through the cobbled streets of Montmartre, then walked along the banks of the Seine. It’s funny how so many people are afraid of travelling alone. But I think there’s no greater luxury than walking on your own. You go where you want, stop wherever you feel like it, and don’t have to take anyone else’s opinion into account. That evening, I texted my friends:

“I walked around on my own all day and didn’t get bored once. I must be getting old.”

But what does age have to do with it? I’ve simply learned how to enjoy my own company. I suppose that comes with experience too.

At dusk, I went into a small, cosy bistro. I decided to step outside my comfort zone and ordered oysters with a glass of chilled white wine. That first bite brought such a rush of emotion that I immediately thought of my dad. He taught me to appreciate good food when I was a child.

“Dad, have you ever tried oysters?”

Without even waiting for a reply, I smiled at the waiter, who had noticed my puzzled but delighted expression and gave me a polite nod. The bistro was warm and smelled of freshly baked baguettes. I took small, slow sips of wine and watched the people sitting at the next table. I could feel every urge to rush off somewhere or hurry fading away.

I paid the bill, said a warm goodbye to the host, and stepped out into the cool autumn air. The street was already glowing under the yellow streetlamps, and the wet asphalt reflected the lights of Paris. I wandered down the boulevard, light on my feet, with no destination in mind. With that feeling that the city belongs entirely to you, and you belong entirely to yourself.

This city makes you want to spoil yourself completely. In a shop window, I spotted a pair of classic black-and-cream Chanel slingbacks and knew in an instant: these were the ones. Elegant, confident…

And Just Like That… I bought those shoes.

I came back to my hotel room tired but incredibly happy. I put my new purchase in plain sight beside the bed so I could look at it all night. I opened the window and took in the views of Paris for a minute or two.

Tomorrow is a new day. I’m planning to visit the little galleries and vintage shops in the Marais neighbourhood. Once again, with no particular destination and no rush.

A bientôt, Paris!