June 14th, 2024.
The day started as usual, with the dusty-sweet smell of Paris hitting me the second we landed—like opening a box of old memories. We made our way to our apartment near Rue Cler, with the familiar creaking stairs and a tiny balcony that barely fits my elbows. The rooftops still looked like a crumpled metal quilt, just like always. Paris always hits me with this dusty-sweet smell the second we land, like someone opened a box of old memories. We came back today—our usual little apartment near Rue Cler, with the stairs that practically wheeze and a balcony barely big enough for my elbows. I leaned over it anyway (Mom yelled, obviously), and the rooftops still look like a crumpled metal quilt.
We visited the carousel by the Eiffel Tower, which I’ve been riding since I was three. There’s this old picture of me on one of the horses with crooked bangs and a confused toddler face. I tried to find the same horse today—pretty sure I did—and even though the gold paint was peeling, it made me feel weirdly emotional, like all the younger versions of me were watching.
After that, I got pistachio-strawberry ice cream from the riverside stand with those tiny spoons that always snap. We sat on the steps by the Seine and watched a tourist drop his hat into the water and scream like he was in a movie.
On the way back, I grabbed a warm baguette from the bakery. I ate half of it before I even got to the apartment because it was burning my hands through the paper bag. The whole street glowed like soft candlelight.
I don’t know—every summer here makes me feel older and younger at the same time. Also, my hair smells like baguette. Kind of iconic, honestly.
Lunch:
We visited the carousel by the Eiffel Tower, a place I’ve been riding since I was three. I tried to find the same horse I once rode—pretty sure I did—and even though the gold paint was chipped, it made me feel like all my younger selves were watching me. Afterward, I grabbed pistachio-strawberry macaroons from the riverside stand. You know the ones that taste like plastic but are still really good. I sat by the Seine and watched a tourist dramatically drop his hat in the water and scream like he was in some movie. Classic Paris moment. Very common actually.
Dinner:
On the way back, I picked up a warm baguette from the bakery. I ate half of it before I even made it back to the apartment, the heat from the bread burning through the paper bag. The whole street glowed in that soft, golden candlelight as I walked back. I met with Ane and her sisters (duh, we are back in Paris) My favorite tradition is seeing them, and being in this tiny brick home with all the statues. We left, after having the best meal of my life. We rode back with Louis (Ane’s brother) and I took of my makeup and hit the hay. See you tomorrow, mon cherie!
