Paris, France: A moment in Paris

It's Gina's first ever trip to Paris, and as our luck would have it, there's not one day to spare, no day off.   We rolled into town midday from Berlin, and drove straight to the venue to start work, setting up and preparing for the show the following night.  The anxiety and expectation were high for all to go well, for the celebrity attendees and 75,000 sold out stadium crowd to see Lady Gaga's Paris performance.   There was truly little, to no time, to see Paris this visit.  It seems such a shame for Gina to be here, in the "city of lights", and not see even one landmark monument.  That couldn't happen,......noooooo way!  So, after a full days work, tired and in need of a break, we instead, hit the town to see what we could with the time that we had.....

First stop,  L'Arc de Triumphe.....  We got lucky, it was walking distance from our hotel.

We quickly nabbed some photo opts and strolled over to the famous Avenue des Champs Elysees.....

We passed the windows of Cartier and Louis Vuitton where we got a few more photos....  Without delay we walked briskly in the direction of La Tour Eiffel.  You can't be in Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower.  After zigzagging through the streets of Paris to find it, we turned a corner and in plain sight,  there it was, La Tour Eiffel.   Gina was struck by it's size and magnificence.  It was stunning!  And as if just for us, shortly after we arrived, the hourly twinkling light show displayed brightly over the Tower as if lighting a Christmas tree.  It was midnight magic.

We walked to the base of the Tower were there was a crepe stand and souvenir shop.  Making the most of our brief French experience, we bought french berets and sweet and savory crepes and found a quiet  spot along the nearby bridge to eat, all the while overlooking the Seine River.  We reveled in the moment.  It was the movie moment you usually dream of, sans the romantic lover, but instead, this time,......we really were in Paris!

Paris, Je t'aime et bonne nuit!

Paris, France: 'Round Midnight

Bonsoir Paris!  
xx.

Koln, Germany: Another Trip Around the Sun

Since it's still my birthday month, I am surely entitled to recap on MY very special day and the good time that I had in Koln (Cologne), Germany.

Being another year older and another year wiser, I woke happy and a bit hung over.  The celebrating had started hours earlier.   Thanks wardrobe team and Absolute Grapevine!!!

After reaching Koln and exiting the bus curbside, I asked myself, "how could I be so lucky?"  It happened to be a day off for me in Germany, and practically within reach was the stunning sight of Koln's landmark gothic cathedral.  Lucky me!  It was a dreamlike moment.  Our hotel, Le Dom, was literally, a stones throw away from the church.  Facing west, I had a front row view of the square and the evening sunset.  This is what I woke to every morning and said goodnight to each night.  It felt special,...and who doesn't want to feel special on her birthday.

Today's plan is to be pampered AND serviced,...and I say,....."Why not!"  I freshened up and pulled myself together, before heading out with the girls to Sukon day spa for Thai massage treatments.  It is within walking distance from the hotel.  I can't think of a more perfect way to start the day.  We got the works, head-to-toe body and foot massages.  After a couple of hours of professional prodding and kneading and twisting and tweaking, we left there feeling relaxed and better than when we arrived.  I'd highly recommend Sukon.  The spa was clean, aromatic and tranquil.  Secretly, I think it's becoming my birthday ritual to treat myself, or be treated, to a day of R&R.  I don't think there's a better gift than the gift of peace of mind, body and soul.

Following the spa we walked back to the hotel and met up with friends at the hotel bar,... where else.  

We got a jump start on drinks before strolling through Old Town to find a meal.  We settled on the Argentinian Steakhouse, Poncho's.  The place was packed.  Always a good sign.....  We waited briefly to be accommodated, managing to fill the time at the beer bar next door until our table was called.  Once seated we dined on lots of fine cuts of beef, potatoes, Malbec wine and sangria.  The restaurant was energetic and our waiter lively.  I thought that it was the perfect setting for our celebratory evening.

We stuffed our bellies and drank well before making our way back to Le Dom.  It had been a wonderful evening, and I am thankful for wonderful friends.  I might add that my day ended as beautifully as it began.  Literally, moments after entering my room to receive the spectacular nighttime view of the cathedral just steps away, the church bells sounded to the stroke of midnight.  It was that Cinderella movie moment without all the fuss.  There was no glass slipper, no pumpkin, and there was no prince.....   It was just me and MY church bells.  Yep.  For me, the sound of church bells ringing is special because they're synonymous with Europe.  I rarely, if ever hear church bells in America.  The sound evokes warm thoughts and good memories, and for that, I couldn't ask for a better ending to an already perfect day.  Goodnight Koln!!!  Sweet dreams and farewell.....