Ever since I was five and could pick out my first beanie baby- a French poodle puppy named Gigi- I have wanted to go to France. For years I lived vicariously through actresses like Audrey in Funny Face or SJP in Sex and the City as they explored the streets of France and immersed themselves in the parisian culture. The fashion, the food, the architecture. The entire French world just seemed like a designers paradise, and last week I got to experience it.
As I rolled my bag up to the console at JFK, I could not have been more excited. The very nice French gentleman giggled a bit as he could tell I had never been to his homeland, as my face gleamed with eagerness. I exchanged my bag for a boarding pass and was on my way. Next stop Bordeaux.
In the end I spent ten days in my version of a parisian paradise. Some of that time was in the city of Bordeaux, but the majority spent in the small wine country side of Saint Emilion, and let me tell you, it was beautiful. Days were spent bicycling to and from the client's home- a chateau originally built in the early 18th century- and nights recovering from the day by taking in as much of the french culture as possible. Essentially drinking wine and eating cheese outside while puffs of french cigarette smoke circled around me.
With the smoke puffs aside, the trip was unbelievable. I learned some new French phrases - je vous en prie - and got to experience a culture that, until then, I had only dreamt of. So until next time France, I can't wait for us to meet again.
