April 10-12 edited

The adventure continues, and here we are on April 12th, finally finding a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of the past two days before we head off to Zermatt, Switzerland. My birthday on April 10th unfolded quietly. I started the day by catching up on the Joe Budden podcast before we embarked on a walk to Gare de Lyon to prepare for our Swiss journey. Navigating Parisian train stations can be a puzzle, so we like to scout them out ahead of time. Surprisingly, it was a tad less chaotic than Gare du Nord. We consulted with a few agents to familiarize ourselves with the layout and train schedules. Then, I popped into a pharmacy within the station to pick up some skincare essentials. Afterward, we indulged in a delightful late lunch at Affranchis. I savored an Asian-style chicken wok with noodles, accompanied by a glass of champagne and espresso, topped off with tiramisu. We returned home to recharge before heading back out to Supersonic to catch the Clockworks and an Irish punk band. Their performance was the perfect birthday treat.

The following day, April 11th, began with breakfast at home before embarking on a 5-mile trek to Musee L'Orangerie. Along the way, we stopped to pick up croissants and arrived at the museum half an hour early. We marveled at Monet's Nymphs collection and Claude Guillame's assortment, featuring works by Picasso, Monet, Rousseau, and others. Despite its smaller size, the museum left a lasting impression. After an hour of exploration, we strolled through the shared gardens of the Louvre and made our way back home. A return visit to O'Sullivans in the Bastille treated us to my husband's favorite chicken dish and a delectable pasta primavera for me, complemented by an Aperol spritz. We then returned home to recharge, catching some much-needed Zs after picking up additional groceries. That evening, we headed to Le Popup du Label to catch Francis of Delirium, a band hailing from Bruges. Their unique vibe was captivating, and after the show, we hunted down some pizza on rue Daumesnil, satisfying our hunger before retiring for the night.

Today, April 12th, unfolded quietly as we slept in, a familiar routine. For lunch, I chose Les Artistes Grounands on Rue de la Roquette, catering to my husband's craving for more veggies. We were treated to not only the best food but also an enriching experience chatting with the owner, learning about his life and artistic endeavors. This exchange of stories and experiences with new acquaintances has become a highlight of our trip. Earlier in the week, we had the pleasure of meeting Andre de Chicago, an American musician who found himself stranded in Paris after the pandemic. Our shared love for blues sparked a spontaneous conversation, leading to an invitation to catch some live music—an encounter that epitomizes the magic of travel. After lunch, we set out to pick up some shoes for me and baby clothes for family back home. As I write this around 6:30 pm, we're gearing up for our final night of musical exploration at La Java, where we'll be treated to some hard post-punk bands from London, Cincinnati, and Paris. Tomorrow, we catch our 7 am train to Switzerland. Stay tuned for more adventures to come.