An American Blogger in Paris: First Impressions
February 17, 2010
Blogger Kari Geltemeyer is currently staying in Haven in Paris’ Livingstone Penthouse, and we were so excited to find that she’s been writing about her experience on her blog Litwit. It’s always so fun to see this city through someone else’s eyes, and first-time visitors like Kari often have a knack for recognizing the obscure details and nuances that are often overlooked by more seasoned Paris dwellers. We’ve selected some excerpts from her blog that highlight her decision to come to Paris and some of the discoveries she’s made here. We’re glad she took the leap!
Text and photos by Kari Geltemeyer
Day 1
When I say it’s a very big deal to come to Paris, I don’t say it because I’m an idiot, I say it because where I come from people stay in their places. And this can’t be understood, perhaps, unless you grew up in exactly the same way, in a town of 8,000 people and a family of seven in the middle of Wisconsin surrounded by dairy farms, where—when I was young, at least—nobody seemed to stray too far. It wasn’t done, it wasn’t much considered, and if it was talked about, it was something impossibly foreign and unbelievably expensive and certainly too far away to actually be real… (To this day my parents’ reaction is “Ack! Paris! Alone??! Aren’t you scared!”) Of course I’m scared! That’s why I’m doing it. So when I say it’s a very big deal to come to Paris—as it was earlier to get to New York City and then London—I say it because as I sat in JFK alone Saturday night, after six months of planning and wildly enthusiastic anticipation, what every voice inside my head was telling me to do was go home… But I didn’t.
Day 2
Paris, today I found you! In my heart, I mean, outside the camera. Today I wandered through le Marais, and I sat still. It was cold and I sat at Glou and tasted the sea. I sat in the sun at Place des Vosges and felt the spring. I bought books in a little red shop and watched ice skaters outside a gigantic town hall. I turned corners not knowing what I would find there—walking occasionally antithetical to my purpose, just because I could—and around every corner was another small miracle, in some way large or small.
And now it’s official; now we are in love.
For more from Kari, check out her blog.
Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Written by Haven in Paris
Haven in Paris is a short-term luxury apartment and villa agency with properties in Paris, Provence, and Tuscany. We hope you'll enjoy reading our updates on food, lifestyle and travel happenings on our blog, Hip Paris.
Website: http://www.haveninparis.com
Tags: Glou, Haven in Paris, kari geltemeyer, litwit, livingstone penthouse, Montmartre, paris blog, Place des Vosges, travel to paris
Posted in Parisian Living | 5 Comments »
I am a singer-songwriter Tally Koren, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world which I’ve visited on many different occasions, here are a few tips from my recent visit.
1. For the first time I made a mistake when I booked my Eurostar but didn’t book it as a package with my hotel! From not the best experience of not finding any hotel and finding 3* hotels which cost over 300 euros I would like to give you an important tip for any town that you might visit in the world – check that there is no big event or festival when you are going to be there! As if any event, such as Paris Fashion Week you will end up playing triple the price; if you can even get a room! But also if it’s a festival a lot of the attractions are sometimes closed.
2. Always go to an area that you know or have been recommended by someone. For me to recommend a restaurant in Paris is almost impossible as the food is always so good in any little café or a big restaurant. But I do have two recommendations. The first is the restaurant ‘Bel Canto’ which is a three-course meal with entertainment of opera, perfect for opera lovers! The second restaurant, where I ate the best omlette in the world, is on the rue Franklin Roosevelt which is opposite the Science Museum. There is only one place so sophisticated – you won’t miss it!
A new area which I discovered this time was the Latin Quarter which is full of life. It has a local market on a Sunday, with people playing music in the piazza and is a lot more authentic than the tourist orientated areas. Also, there is the Mare, which is my favourite area in Paris and it has the Picasso museum, a lot of trendy shops and cozy cafes and there’s always a great atmosphere.
I hope you can watch my video from Paris:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyhdZ15TK-E
I have just launched a campaign for my new single 72 Names (Hallelujah) which will last for 72 days. Over the campaign I’m exploring the significance of the number 72 in lots of different situations and I would like you to be part of it!
[...] Paris Top 10 and I have to say, “ditto!” The team at HiP Paris are following blogger Kari Geltemeyer on her first trip to Paris. It is true what they say, it is intriguing to observe someone’s first impressions of my [...]
Thanks for this wonderful inspiration..
a visual delight..
GOOD. FOR. YOU!
“small town” can’t even begin to describe where I came from – Paris was for frivolous crazy people (strangely, so were things like college and museums). Now my husband and I go there often to experience anew that indescribable overwhelming jolt of energy that is Paris. Great post and I look forward to more!!!
Ah yes, fresh eyes. It’s a beautiful set of photos. I look forward to seeing more.