January 23, 2015 {23/365} « Hiver »

Two years ago this week, I took a quick 4-day weekend trip to Paris for a convention -- Lucky me! My initial plan was to skip all the typical, touristy spots and just stroll around, enjoying my Paris -- cafés, bookshops, boutiques, coffee, wine, pastries... oh, que ça me manque! I arrived to gray skies which didn't faze me at all since I think Paris is even more beautiful against a steely backdrop. After my requisite meetings, I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon and evening with "Bonjour, Paris!" on a continual loop in my head before returning to my hotel, exhausted and jet-lagged.

When I woke on Saturday morning, Paris was transformed into a Winter Wonderland! The biggest winter storm in recent history dropped over 20 cm of fluffy snow on this already breathtaking city. Everyone loves Paris in the Springtime, but if possible, I think my nordic heart made me love it even more under a blanket of white. How could I resist viewing all of Paris' landmarks frosted like a wedding cake? So I wandered for hours, marveling at the glorious site. I must admit, it was terribly fun for this Wisconsin girl to watch the blissful French children and dogs play in the snow (as well as the chic Parisians slipping & sliding in their fashionable yet completely inappropriate footwear ;)