My Parisian To-do List

Paris is a very special place for me. I do realize that it is not hard to love this city, because it is filled with beauty and magic, but I have an extreme attachment to it due to various reasons. I spent quite some time there and a lot of events took place there. This is the place where I experienced a range of emotions from the most positive to the most negative ones in very intense ways. This is the place, where I met people, who affected me and my life. This is the place, that I want to get back to all the time. This is the place where I truly want to be (can you hear me, universe?). This city is full of sights, but today I am excited to share with you a short to-do list of mine, which consists of very different and in a way unexpected parts. I have been daydreaming of doing all of them for months, and I have done them, which made me satisfied and happy! Moreover, I know that I will do them again and again every time I come back. I am posting this post (that sounds stupid, but what can i do, right?) with hope that it might be useful for you one day!

So where to go in Paris and what to do there?

Shakespeare & company. What for?

- an atmosphere, that you won`t find anywhere else. It is always challenging for me to explain what a role writing and writers play in my life, and this location is one of those where I feel what I suppose religious people feel when they go to church (woah, what a comparison; someone is getting extreme here). Please read about it before coming there, and you will notice that the more you find out about it, the more special it will get;
 — an outstanding selection of books in english. Last year I managed to buy a book by Garance Dore even before it was oficially out. You have no idea how excited and happy I was after that purchase! A few years ago I went to Paris for work and I did not really have any money to buy something, but I made sure to go to Shakespeare & Co in order to buy two books there. Books are my treasures, for sure;
 — to go to their cafe. Iused to hang out on the second floor of the store and just spent some time sitting there, but now you can go to a cafe, which is located next door. This is what I did on my last day in Paris this time — I bought a book that I really wanted to (and I bought another one a few days prior) and then had an enjoyable conversation with two great girls, who I am lucky to know.
 
 By the way you can read my answers to Shakespeare & Co Prouste questionnaire here.

Marks & Spencer food. What for?

- sandwiches with chicken and avocado (I am not a fan of bread, but I always eat a lot of sandwiches when I am travelling, because they are convenient, tasty and cheap);

- green juice (I love juices and Ilove smoothies. I have a long story of not being able to drink water and then having to learn to; there is still a kid in me, who hated water, so sometimes I truly need a refreshing alternative);

- earl grey tea and green tea with jasmine (yes, Ibuy a lot of tea, because I drink a lot of it; they have a great selection and the packaging design is really nice).

Luxembourg gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg). What for?

- to walk around and enjoy an incredible beauty of nature and architecture around you. To have a look at every tree and every flower there is, to try and count how many of them there are and notice how different they all are;
 — to be on your own and have some time to think about things that truly matter to you or bring a special person as a company and talk about everything; 
 — to have a picnic on the grass or in one of the green chairs spread all around the park (a picnic might consist of what you have just bought at Marks & Spencer food or a cup of hot coffee combined with a dessert from a nearby cafe, which is exactly what I have done many-many times).

Muji. What for?

- scented candles (my mornings rarely start without lighting a candle. Reading and writing when there is a small fire around you and a smell you enjoy is a very special combination. My personal favourite is Hinoki wood, but Ilove Elderflower and Cinnamon & mandarin too);

- notebooks of all kinds, sizes and shapes, as well as pens, folders and any kind of stationery you could think of (I am in a constant search of everything aforementioned, that would not cost an unreasonable price);

- socks (simple black and white, colourful and the ones from wool, that will make you really warm, but keep you stylish too).

Buci news. What for?

- both French and international newspapers and magazines (yes, you can buy them at Replay, Whsmith or colette, but you can also go to this cosy store hidden on a tiny parisian street; it is rarely crowded there, which can be a huge advantage);
 — an amazing selection of stationery (cards, notebooks, pens, stickers);
 — some little things you had no idea you needed, like christmas decorations of all sorts.

As I was writing this post, I felt that warmth and happiness were filling me. No matter what happens, I know that I have been lucky to get to know Paris well. I am joyful that I can share every little detail with you! I hope that every one of you will get a chance to go to Paris one day and enjoy it ❤
 
 You can read more of my texts about Paris here.
 
 The picture on top of the post was taken by Alexandra Serafimovych.

Originally published at whatbeingtwentyislike.blogspot.com on October 11, 2016.