The art of the Parisian nap.
Have you ever experienced one of those moments in your life that is so overwhelmingly perfect...when all of your senses are awakened to their fullest potential and exist in euphoric harmony? For some, this is accomplished through an exquisite meal, for others it may be reached through looking at a beautiful piece of art...for me it is a Parisian nap.
I know this may sound crazy (how can a nap possibly be so perfect that its worth writing about) but first, hear me out.
I have experienced two such moments thus far while I have been in Paris and both have been equally magical. A nap in Paris is unlike any other nap you will experience in your lifetime. I recommend to all potential Parisian nappers to find a patch of grass, preferably under a tree, and come equipped with a good book (I'm currently reading Paris to the Moon), a small blanket and a baguette. As your eyelids become heavy from the literary and carb induced coma you have put yourself in, take a deep breath and slowly close your eyes.
First, take a few moments to enjoy the smells that are wrapping your body in a blanket of warmth...fresh baked bread, sweet grass and chestnut trees, the aroma that is entirely unique to the city of Paris. Next, find a few moments to quiet your thoughts by carefully listening to the sounds around you, the heartbeat of the city. Listen to the melodic lull of children laughing and chasing each other down the streets, birds singing playful songs and lovers rendezvous-ing on hidden benches. Then, gently feel the cool dampness of the grass beneath your fingers, twisting and twirling each blade of grass, giving each blade the unique attention it deserves. Lastly, before you reach the final stage of the Parisian nap, take one last deep breath and inhale your lungs with the taste of the city, engulfing the flavors of the people and the sights around you; swallowing the beauty of Paris whole.
There is nothing more perfect than a Parisian nap, nothing more physically satisfying. There is this wonderful little park in front of la Tour Eiffel that offers the best naps one could hope to find, providing you with the ultimate surroundings of beauty yet secluded enough not to be bothered by the throngs of tourists in the area.
Last night was another perfect night in my favorite city. Three of us enjoyed a 2 hour walk to the Eiffel Tower while picking up a few necessities on the way (2 baguettes, 2 bottles of wine and cheese). We had a wonderful picnic right in front of the Eiffel and on our way home had multiple French men chasing us for our affections. Two men on a vespa kept insisting they give us rides back to our dorms and another cheeky fellow thought he could use the pick up line, "vous et moi ... dormir ensemble?" to get me to go home with him (Mike...no worries. He wasn't my type!)
Today, the entire group traveled to Chartres and visited the famous Chartres Cathedral, home to the most exquisite stained glass windows that are so vibrant its hard to believe they are thousands of years old. After a lecture on the history of the cathedral and learning how to read stained glass windows, we wandered into the local market where the fruits and vegetables were so fresh they looked as though they were still growing on the vine. I enjoyed un compotes de pommes crepe and a glass of hard cider. With full tummies, we found a grassy spot with the best view overlooking the entire town and enjoyed another wonderful nap.
Tonight a few of us plan to pick up some ingrédients frais au Monoprix and cook up a yummy meal to enjoy from our rooftop terrace the overlooks the entire city of Paris. After our appetites have been appeased, its going to be a night on the town considering its our last free weekend before classes start on Monday. I should also mention that I am terrified for class to begin. I have only taken two semesters of French and somehow managed to place into the 3000 level advanced class on my placement test with students who are years beyond me in French. C'est la vie I suppose.
I'm off to buy groceries! I love that my new biggest concern these days is what kind of wine and cheese pairing I'm in the mood for tonight.
Au revoir mes amis...De Paris, avec l'amour.
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