A bit of nature in the big city

I'm definitely a city girl. I actually love having a 9 am class every day, even though my peers think I'm crazy, because the mornings are my favorite time. That's when the hustle and bustle of the day is just beginning, and the wonderful bakery smells are at their freshest and finest. I can just feel the whole city of Paris waking up as I sip my coffee on my walk to the metro. My only complaint is the shoulder-to-shoulder capacity of the jam-packed metro, but even that secretly delights me because I feel like a true Parisian on my daily commute.

I said that was my only complaint, and it really is with regards to my early-rising habits (early rising for college at least), but the thing that has stood out to me living truly IN a city for the first time is the lack of nature. I love to run, and dodging pedestrians and mopeds on the streets and sidewalks really hasn't been the same as a peaceful run through Queeney Park or Forest Park back home, two of my favorite places. Enter the Promenade Plantée and Jardin du Luxembourg.

Yesterday one of our ra's brought us to the Promenade Plantée, which I briefly described in my last post, but just to reiterate is a former elevated metro line that has been converted into a path with gorgeous flowers, greenery, and several small parks branching off of it. I'm so glad she introduced us to this beautiful place. I felt like I was in a treehouse in the middle of Paris! There were people running, picnicking, reading, and just generally enjoying the beautiful weather we're having...it's supposed to be in the 80's here all week!

Chess game in the corner :)

So many people sunbathing, reading, and having picnics on a Sunday afternoon

Funky little shack (name that song!) 

For my flower-loving mama 

We definitely found the weekend hangout for all the hip Parisians...it's hard to tell from the picture but there were musicians, ping-pong tables, a stand selling crepes, paninis, and drinks, and my favorite part...random sets of living room furniture. There were groups of friends just hanging out on couches and resting their feet on ottomans in the middle of this park. Love it! Definitely heading back with my own group to claim a spot.

Today, I was thrilled once again when I stumbled upon the Jardin du Luxumbourg. As I said before, I have a 9 am class, and after that ends at 10:30, I'm free as a bird until 4 pm. That gives me lots of time, so first I decided to find a place to get a snack. My priorities are definitely in the right place. I decided to try this place called The Tea Caddy. I've had my eye on it for awhile, because it's right across from one of my favorite little parks I've posted pictures of before, and just around the corner from Shakespeare & Co.

 

Iced coffee, a book to read, and a view of Notre Dame. Life is so good.

Refreshed and reenergized, I decided to explore, so with no set destination, I headed in the general direction of the Sorbonne, which it turns out is only a block away from NYU!

Bonjour, neighbor!

I turned onto a side street, and whaddya know! A couple blocks down I see a fancy gate with a sign designating the Jardin du Luxembourg. At this point it's still only 12:30, so I decide to take a detour, and I couldn't be happier I did! The park is HUGE. There are paths for running, chairs for sunbathing/reading/napping, tennis courts, ice cream and crepe stands...basically heaven on earth. This has definitely been added to my fast-growing list of places I will be frequenting.

I spy with my little eye la Tour Eiffel 

The sunbather sort of ended up stealing the spotlight....

I ended up spending the rest of my afternoon at the gardens, just walking around then eventually picking a spot to post up and read! Another young man tried to make my acquaintance. Mel and Annie suggested I start a separate blog to log my encounters with the French of the opposite gender. I think that sounds like too much work.