Midnight in Paris

A few years ago, Woody Allen wrote and directed a movie called "Midnight in Paris." It starred Owen Wilson (he generally annoys me) who liked to walk around Paris at night and mystical things happened. I thought it was just ok, yet it won an Oscar, Golden Globe and other awards. Not until tonight did I truly get it. I think I owe Woody, Owen and the Academy an apology.

Tonight, after taking a quick nap, I got up around 9:30 to hit the streets to find food. Initially when I started out, I was just going to head up to Rue Cler to my little burger joint. But something in my spirit was saying "keep walking," "turn left here," "go one more block" until I ended up somewhere I'd never been. And am I glad I listened to my spirit.

Paris at night is, in one word, magical. I can't really put many more words to the experience because the sights and scenes are just breathtaking and left me speechless. The first amazing place I ran into was Les Invalides, essentially a museum of France's military history. There's something about the monuments here that just sneak up on you and you're left with your mouth wide open, then immediately moved to scream "Thank You God" to the heavens for the experience. Because, yeah, that happened about a million times tonight.

After snapping a million pics of that big ole beautiful thang, I was off to see what other majestic things I could find in the dark. I was drawn toward a blue light, so I kept walking. It was the dome of the Grand Palais Gallerie Nationale (an art gallery) and you wouldn't believe that people were ice skating inside. 

So my spirit, who is all about the peer pressure, tells me "You're already this far from home, why not a little further?" Well, a little further turned into me crossing the Seine River and seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance. Folks, I nearly lost my sh*t it was so beautiful (I told y'all that Eiffel just does something to me). 

Walked a little more and I'm on the Champs de Élysées with the Roue de Paris (big Ferris wheel) to my right. And wowwwwww! It's like the Texas State Fair but situated along both sides of a grand avenue. Crepes, churros, cotton candy, music, souvenirs, amusement rides for kids, just unbelievable. At this point, my stomach reminded me that we were on a dinner run, so I grabbed a sausson avec frites (sausage on a bun and fries) and kept stepping.

I could see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, which is where the Champs de Élysées ends, so what the heck, right? I walk all the way up to it, on the way marveling at the beautifully lit and staged store fronts of some of the worlds largest fashion chains and designers (be jealous, I got to ogle at all the new Louis Vuitton bags coming out for the Spring)!

I finally make it to the Arc de Triomphe and now I know why it's called that. I sure did feel triumphant and alive and full of energy and light and happy and...just...wow! After taking a few selfies with the Arc and even a few snaps with an Iraqi family, I hailed a cab back to the hotel.

According to my walk tracker, I'm averaging about 4 miles of walking each day. Thanks Paris for being a good walking buddy. I think I will see where my spirit leads me tomorrow.

Bonsoir for now mes amies!

Les Invalides...you can't tell from this pic but it's gigantic! 

Look at Eiffel back there just a twinkling!

Grand Palais!

The Champs de Élysées behind me. Even on a Sunday night, it was packed and traffic backed up.

Arc de Triomphe, I'm coming for you boo! 

Just beautiful!

Made it!

Posing with Iraqi friends at the Arc!