28 Comments
User's avatar
Sajjad's avatar

Few other things I remember hearing:

1. "Text them, they owe us a massage"

2. "Oh you mean the mice? They are our pets"

3. "My mum only likes his foie gras"

Sunbula's avatar

Every photo felt like a warm hug

Aysha's avatar

Thank you Sunbula! Sending you another hug.

Nandini's avatar

Sweet article and great photos! What camera do you use?

Aysha's avatar

Thanks! A Sony A47.

Shil Lefeer's avatar

Ahahaha, that line about colonisers, made me chuckle aloud in a waiting room!

Aysha's avatar

hehe! Thanks for reading! It's so nice to imagine someone sitting in a waiting room, and reading your words.

Nia Thandapani's avatar

This title <3

Never have I read such a heartening and generous description of touristing. Merci!

Aysha's avatar

<3 I was feeling very generous on that trip haha

Resh Susan's avatar

What a lovely trip!! I love thinking about bits and bobs of conversations b/w strangers. I need a post on the butter!! Also that map room is lovely!!

Aysha's avatar

The map room was stunning, Resh. I can imagine S and I running a map room at some point, with a little cafe attached. Only 2 tables!

Resh Susan's avatar

I am reserving one. May the dream come true

shahna's avatar

I think this is one of the best posts of yours!! Hearty writing and beautiful photographs 🤩Browny ponts for not tagging NYT.

Aysha's avatar

Aw thank you Shahna! Sometimes a little travel provides some much needed inspiration.

Anna Thomas's avatar

I’ll be going to Paris this Autumn, and I can’t wait to explore the city..

Aysha's avatar

I hope it's everything you imagined (and more).

Smrithi Rao's avatar

Makes me wanna go back to Paris. It’s my top three cities. (So far)

Anita Flynn's avatar

And yes, your photos are soooo good as always!

Aysha's avatar

Thank you Anita!

Ishita DasGupta's avatar

Your photography is so beautiful. Did the butter make it home OK?

Aysha's avatar

Thank you, Ishita! And yes, they did! I have the last of the stash in my freezer.

Rini Singhi's avatar

Le Bon Marché and the butters!

I find Paris to be a city of the past and the future at the same time. Some parts make you travel back in time, while some push you a few years ahead. Art feels effortless, the lights are always beautiful, and the breads are always good!

Aysha's avatar

So true about the breads!

Priyanka Sacheti's avatar

Loved reading this. I have always been all sniffy about Paris being sooo romantic but I am sure I will be (literally) eating my words once I visit! The descriptions of the bread and butter made my mouth water (my favorite meal, no kidding and that too *French* bread!) and oooh the map store!

Priyanka Sacheti's avatar

Also, I finished re-reading Julia Child's My Life in France so all those delectable descriptions and accounts of Paris is also making me want to visit!

Aysha's avatar

Oh, I have a copy here somewhere! Will be nice to reread! And yes, I felt somewhat the same before I visited.

Anita Flynn's avatar

Oh you lucky thing! I went to Paris for 3 days in 2019 and it just wasnt enough. I want to go there for at least a week alone...just to explore. Waiting...

Aysha's avatar

I hope you get to go! A solo trip would be dreamy. I would spend all day in the gardens, reading and writing (eating), and then evening at a cosy little bistro.