Paris Day 3 & 4 - I finally got my luggage!

Thursday I went to Louvre area from the Batobus. I made that somewhat of goal. I wanted to be on the Love Lock Bridge and look at the locks. I also wanted to grab some dinner in the area. What I wanted to do originally was to go to the Louvre, eat, then go to the Champs-Élysées and walk down to Ladurée and get desert.
That all didn't go quite as planned. I did go grab dinner. I went to Louvre and walked around. I grabbed something to eat at Le Cafe Marly. For some reason I thought it was the same restaurant from The Tourist. I learned later it was not. It was a great dinner, it was an expensive dinner.
The waiter was very nice and funny. I sat overlooking the Louvre pyramids which was nice. It is also very funny to learn that Le Cafe Marly is a restaurant that is scrutinized for how they seat their guests. Apparently, they like to put attractive customers in the entry area, terrace, or down in front of the building. I was given the option but due to being a windy day I choose the entrance terrace area. Whether or not I think it's true? Maybe. The people around me I felt were very attractive. The couple eating each other's face were very attractive. The girl was very pretty and so was her boyfriend, jealous. So, yes maybe. I can see that. It's unfortunate though, because I'm sure that you would want to get a good view and where I sat is where the view was. You can see the picture there on the side. I'm a little short and I couldn't see that great over the railing, but that's eye level.

After dinner, I decided to go walk back toward the Batobus and also see the Love Lock Bridge on my way there. It looked kinda depressing me walking on my own on my love bridge with all the lovers kissing and stuff, but whatever. I looked at the locks and tried to see if I saw any of them that said anything really cool or any particularly old ones. There is such an extreme amount of them that it's hard to look through them all. I also am a sucker for the Kardashian's and I remembered that Kourtney went and put a lock with Mason. The likely hood I would find that one, would be rare.

Once I got to the Batobus I started to feel ill so I skipped the Champs-Élysées plan and went back home. I figured I would do that the next day or possibly over the weekend. I got back home and went straight to bed.

I woke up very late on Friday. I woke up at 230pm! The reason I woke up was actually through a text message I received asking me how my day was going, which it wasn't. I then got a phone call telling me I will finally receive my luggage! I was so happy! They told me I would receive it by 6pm. I had to wait at the flat until 6. That killed that days plans. I was also very hungry, which kind of sucked because I didn't want to leave in case they got there with my bags. Finally, a little after 6pm they arrived with my luggage. I then had the issue of dragging the suitcase up 5 flights of stairs. No, the complex did not have an elevator. It took some time and gasping for air, but I finally got my luggage up the steps and I changed into fresh clothes. Yay!
Once that happened, I went to the Monoprix and grabbed some bread to quickly eat something. From there I waited at the flat until it was time to go to a comedy show I had tickets for. At 8pm I was to go see the comedy show A New Yorker In Paris. I was pretty excited because I haven't been to a comedy show since I went to a comedy show in Chicago about 4 or 5 years ago.
The comedy show was pretty awesome. The guy was very funny and I normally don't laugh when I'm by myself. The room was full of french high school students, I'm assuming there for some type of trip. It was funny because they all looked so young but I bet I looked like I could be their age because I looked very young. After the show I had a quick chat with the guy who did the show, told him he did a great job.
Once I left the building I had the issue that I didn't have a way to get home. I took an Uber car to get there but with no internet connection, I couldn't get back. Also, I've forgotten to take out cash so I only had a card and I had to find a taxi that accepted credit card...that became a hassle. I wandered around until I finally found a taxi that took card and had WiFi! Yay!

Again got home, had nothing to do...I decided to go just go to bed. I ate some bread I had and slept.

My final days to come! :)
eny

Paris Day Deux!

Second day in Paris was still a little stressful in the morning. I still didn't have my luggage even though I was told I would get it. I attempted calling multiple times to no avail. I called my credit card company I purchased my flights with because I have travel insurance. The credit card company provided me with $100 a day for up to 5 days for necessities.
Since I had the money to spend now on more clothes for the trip, otherwise I would've been stuck with the same clothes until my luggage came, I went to H&M around the block and bought myself a sweater along with two tank tops.

That same day I went on the Batobus. The Batobus is a boat bus on the Seine river. It takes you around to a few points of interest and you can get on and off. It's about 20 minute wait per stop but it's not really an efficient way to get around because it takes quite a bit to get to certain spots. For instance to get to the Louvre from the Eiffel Tower takes about 2 hours because of all the stops. Unless you get off at a different stop that is very close to the Louvre.
I think the Batobus is really good for the first days for you to get to know the city and the locations. Start it early in the day, take the full ride all the way through without getting off then go on and off one by one. Then you can do the same thing the next day with their two days pass. Instead you can get on and off without going all the way around without getting off. It's still really inexpensive at only about $24 USD. I enjoyed it and especially arriving back to the Eiffel Tower at night as it was lighting up was great.

I did start my dad a little late that day because I was on the phone with my card company figuring out my bags and shopping for clothes. So, I didn't really see the sites. I did get pictures of the Eiffel Tower during the day. That you can see on the side there. I also went to the Monoprix grocery store. It wasn't really a grocery store because I didn't really see many groceries. I saw advertisements for them on the window, but man if I saw them...I bought a sandwich and juice. I didn't like the sandwich.

Other than the Batobus ride and my sandwich I really didn't do much. It was pretty uneventful. I wish I did more but I was still kinda tired and my internal clock was off. At least got to walk around while the day was nice.

Have a great day!
eny

Paris Day One - Struggles

Getting to Paris was rough.

I over packed. Which I feel is a female thing. My suitcase isn't particularly heavy empty and I packed lighter clothes I feel. I also bought packing cubes which I thought would make control my over packing issue. 

Anyway...I got to the airport and my flight was delayed several times due to weather. I became stressed because I had two separate airline flights to catch. That meant that I had to recheck my bags once I got to another airport. Well, that airport was Newark. I arrived and only had 50 minutes. I got my bag rechecked it and was told that it won't make it on my flight and they would put it on the next flight. The guy at the counter had to rush me through terminal and through security so I could make my flight in 30 minutes. I did it! Yay!

Leaving Newark.

The dinner served wasn't great. Maybe because I chose chicken curry and I'm not a fan of curry. I made a silly choice here. I was a little sleep deprived. Also, I'm watching Gravity. I didn't finish it.

Once I finally got to Paris I didn't have my bags and I couldn't find the lost luggage counter to advise them to deliver it to my flat I was staying at. I was exhausted from a long day that I just wanted to get home. I went to my flat and decided I would call. Amazingly, there wasn't a working number. I had go get a taxi back to the airport and spent 30 minutes wandering around the Orly airport. Found it and they advised me it was not put on the next flight. They said they would do so.

I went back to the flat and good thing I had everything for the most part as far as in esstentials. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste. I was able to make it for the day.

The view from my bedroom at the flat.

The first day, I spent wandering around. I didn't really do very much because I had the whole luggage ordeal. Got to know a little of my surroundings.

I fell asleep right away though! Was so tired!

Day two, to come...

eny

p.s. - this was delayed so much because of bad internet connection. Now I know not to try uploading from my phone...I just happened to type the post up while on a boat ride.

Paris Uploading Issues...

So...I realized today a long post I uploaded the other day didn't post.
The internet in the apartment (or flat) that I rented for my stay has probably the worst internet I have ever had. Well, since the days of dial-up. I really cannot say it's that bad, considering dial-up is worse. I can at least download a movie in 5 hours. Haha...

I am going to be editing my post that I attempted to put up the other day through my phone to post up on here. Once viewing it on my computer I realized it was very long and needed some condensing. Also, it might be better if I broke it up into days. I will post day 1 in Paris, then day 2, and so on.

Right now I'm into my 4th full day. My first day here was a full day since I got here at 9 in the morning. I leave on Tuesday so I still have a few more days. Although on Friday I depart at 1:40. So I'll attempt to wake up earlier than usual to get some breakfast here, that I have yet to do, before my flight.

I've been lucky with sunny weather here in Paris. No rain, even though the weather report has been saying there will be rain. It has been a bit chilly with the wind though.

I have a few things to do today, so I don't know when exactly the first post will be edited and up. I would like to say late in the day today.
If you would like to follow me on my adventure on Instagram, I recommend you do. I've been posting a few pictures everyday. :)

Have a wonderful day!
eny

Packing...

I'm going to get this out there...

I'm very bad at preparing to pack for a trip. Reason for no updates is because I literally have done nothing for this trip. I wish I have. I'm now stressing but in bed while I write this from my phone. Procrastination? Maybe. Laziness? I think so. Actually, I also think it's the fact I'm so nervous I just want it to all fall together magically. Here is my progress...

An empty carry on suitcase. I still have to pack an actual suitcase. Soooo...this is going to be fun. Did I mention I leave Monday...meaning in 2 days? Ah!!!

eny

Plans and the Future!

Hi!
I know that the main blog has fallen quite silent over the past several months.
There was two passings in my family in the same month which caused me to kind of want to take of bit of hiatus. With that, I had the time to think of what I want for the future of this blog and ehknee overall.
Late last year my friend Amanda, who I initially approached to join as a contributor to the blog, decided she was ready to officially join in. We had our first meeting earlier this year to talk about ideas and even blog redesign.
I am very excited for what is to come this year. It will take a little bit of time for us to get this all together, but it is in the works.

Along with future blog plans,
I decided to get away. I had a difficult and challenging few months emotionally that I decided to take a vacation. On St. Patrick's Day I'll be on a flight to Paris on my own. I've never taken a vacation alone and this will be my first solo trip. While I have gone alone on a plane and traveled somewhere by myself...this is entirely different because I will be one week just trying to work it out.
The reason I choose Paris is because I was there 3 years ago visiting my friend and I was only there for 4 days and only got to actually see the city for 2. Also, I feel if I go somewhere I've been I will be slightly less nervous.
What I'll be doing we get closer to my departure is I'll take you along with my travel planning...my packing...and my thoughts.
All this will be on page, my main blog will not be updated in content maybe for a little time. I'm keeping a lot of ideas for almost the "grand reopening" of ehknee.

Have a Wonderful Day!
eny

Target Shopping

So I went to Target today and as usual at a Target store you cannot leave without buying the things intended. I left with a huge haul. Part of the haul was 3 nail polishes.

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat which I have been dying to try.

OPI in An Affair In Red Square. I chose this red because the holidays are coming up and I want a vampy red. Also, you don't need the holidays for a red anyway! This is a pretty sexy red though, hence the name.

Lastly, Essie in For the Twill of It. I've been wanting this color so bad. It's always sold out, but I got it! I'll try to remember to post a picture when I wear it.

Oh and I received my PopSugar Must Have Box for this month and let me say...you guys better get on the train. They were slacking at one point but they got their game up and sending amazing things. They sent nail polish, jewelry...FOOD. The way to my heart is through my nails and through my stomach. Is that weird? I don't think so.

Anyway...this seems like a long post to be doing by phone so I'll be doing hopefully a main blog post soon!

Have a great day!

eny