Travel & Hotspots

PARIS DIARY

It finally happened. I popped my cherry. Thank GOD praise the lord I’m finally able to say I am no longer a Paris Virgin. Thanks to May-Britt (who prepped me for this city) and the cool designer baggage brand Delsey.

Long story short: I had never explored the city of love (okay, I had on Insta but that doesn’t count), and it was a downright shame and the boss ordered me to go. And that’s when an email from Delsey popped up. For the people who weren’t aware of it yet, suitcases and I are a great match and that’s why I did a little jump for joy when the brand organized a trip in honor of their 70 year anniversary.

Best thing of all: we would be traveling with the Thalys. Which means I would be able to tag along seventy pairs of shoes in a ridiculously big suitcase and not have to pay for any type of extra baggage weight. Benefits of traveling with the train. Enfin, after three hours we (I was accompanied by three other great women) arrived at Paris Gare du Nord. The weather was great, my sunglasses were pulled out of my bag and as soon as we arrived to the hotel, I could feel the Parisian vibe. After a quick touchup in the hotel, we headed to Hôtel Paris Bastille Boutet for a chocolate tasting. I’m not a star when it comes to speaking French, but my “Otél Parie Bastie-je Bouté” rolled out alright. Anyways, chocolate and a load of macaroons (oh the struggle of press trips) followed by a bit of time to do work too, don’t worry.

“There’s one thing I can say about this city: May-Britt, you weren’t kidding when you said how great it is.”

Like some kind of spastic bouncing pall I couldn’t wait to head out the door after the tasting and head to the city center (okay, and the terraces) and discover Le Marais. A small lively area filled with bars, boutiques and stores and so if you’ve got a trip to Paris planned, make sure to spend some time wandering around here. There’s one thing I can say about this city: May-Britt, you weren’t kidding when you said how great it is. I’m already head over heels. 

The Parisiennes exude fashion on a whole new level and there’s a ton we can learn from them. I see the most beautiful, petite women walking around on ballet flats and in black petite dresses and weather or not it’s healthy is a whole other store, but everyone seems to be chain smokers in Paris. While they’re standing still somewhere on the street, walking to stores or hanging out at the round little terrace tables Paris is so known for. And don’t even get me started on the wine. Some of the waiters are extremely impolite (tip from May-Britt: offend them before they can offend you) and if you speak English, they’ll look at you like you’re a first class alien and they’re talk back to you in French pas de problème. The Parisian, they’re a proud bunch.

“And if you speak English, they’ll look at you like you’re a first class alien.”

In the evening we were invited for the opening of the Delsey pop-up store. For anyone who’s never heard of the brand (shame on you): Delsey was founded back in 1946 and is currently the second largest luggage brand in the world. Not surprising when you line up all their hip items. Suitcases with finger print scans instead of locks? It exists, guys. An app that will make sure you never loose your luggage again? Exists too (check out this video). Oh, and they have the lightest suitcase ever which only weights half a kilo. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? More shoes and clothes for you to pack (doing a happy dance). Long story short: you can understand why I’m so thrilled. In the store, they’ve made a mini museum of suitcases and you’re able to customize your own travel accessories, the newest models in all their colors are being displayed and there are macaroons. Huge ones. And French cheese. They even have a 70th birthday cake in the shape of a, this one is easy, suitcase. Is it possible for a person to gain two kilos in two days?

We ended our day right where we started it: on the terrace. We went through numerous packs of cigarettes, drank a glass or two too many of champagne and rolled into our beds at around two thirty in the morning. The following day was a little less pleasant (read: hungover), but that didn’t stop us from a good round of shopping through the French streets. Before I knew it I ended up in the Chanel boutique and I purchase something that one the one hand I don’t entirely understand (and on the other, I do, but more about that later on in the week. Believe me, it’s s story on its own. Around 6 PM we head back to the Thalys and then I know: instant heartbreak. Damn it Paris, it’s not over between us yet. I’m going to start planning that second date.