i love paris. i'd definitely buy a tshirt with that on it. it's so true. this is quite possibly one of my favorite times in paris so far. my dad and family are here, it's hot, everyone's out, the cafes are bustling, the parks are full, it's soooo hot, it's so hot out. and sticky. but after nine months of freezing my ass off, it's a welcome change.
speaking of change: i don't do very well with change, but i've learned that no one really does-- some people just hide it better or adapt a little easier than others. it'll be hard saying bye to dad and aunt R tomorrow. we're actually all going to amsterdam-- dad and R fly from paris to amsterdam for a layover, aunt M and uncle D and i train up to amsterdam/harleem for a few nights before i get to belfast. i have my huge suitcase from reims that i have to repack tonight for dad to take home for me, and then i'm backpack girl again. but recently i've run into people-- strangers-- who have been to ireland and all of them tell me how cool it is up there. i'm looking forward to it but here comes another transition for me. i only have about 39 days left in europe. which is so utterly crazy. but blah blah blah.
aunt M and i took a private walking tour of three perfume houses yesterday, led by a woman who loves perfume. we went to serge luten's shiseido salon, guerlin and one that's slipped from my memory. the sheseido place was gorgeous-- all purple handpainted walls and dark atmosphere and wonderful scents that were way overpriced-- 95 euros for 75ml. guerlin was super old school-- think chanel-- and way too old lady for me but i could totally appreciate some of their old scents made in the late 1800s and 1920s. the third place was sleek and modern and all chrome and black boxes, and the perfumer himself was there. cool to meet him-- wicked nice-- but i didn't care much for his scents. they smelled more like places-- like a new office, new carpet, air conditioning. hard to explain. i didn't buy anything until we stopped at jean patou as an afterthought. i got some 'joy' lotion which is something i already wear. cheaper in france. the tour was fun but a little long-- almost 5 hours-- a lot of time smelling and walking in the hot sun. but worth it.
tonight being our last night all together in the city of lights will be spent on a boat cruise on the seine and at the eiffel tower once it gets dark. can't hardly wait. tomorrow, a new chapter.