Excerpts from my journal (part 1)
Paris, wine-fueled thoughts, my Louise Carmen, and the frigid winter
March 13: From the notes app
Dear Diary (there is no diary yet),
I’m on a plane to Paris right now watching Bridget Jones 1 (a likely glimpse into my future) on a United Airlines flight with a fat cup of of Cabernet Sauvignon in my hand. I’m already tipsy. The flight attendant poured way too much while he was giving me a sly yet amused look (maybe it’s because I look twelve).
I’m very excited to be going to Paris. It all feels a bit surreal yet familiar at the same time. This is only the second time I’ve been on an international flight by myself. And, I realize now that every time I’ve travelled to Paris (this is my third), I’ve always done it alone. I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. But maybe it’s just the wine. I think I’ll have another, ‘to help me sleep’.
When I wake up I’m going to be in Paris! Can you believe it??
[some time later — arrival at the CDG]
“Paris has been waiting for you.” The Paris tourism department has a crazy marketing team. That’s a surreal statement to wake up to (at 7am).
On a bus now, not sure where I’m going. Wanderlust? More like wanderLOST. I texted my friend (who I’m staying with), she’s never heard of the bus line I’m on. Fantastic. Nobody speaks English around me. The other group of girls who I know are tourists are Korean. I stick to them to feel safe.
Oh god, I don’t know where tf I am. BUT, somehow, the anxiety hasn’t kicked in yet. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep or the excitement, but being a bit lost is more fun when you’re solo traveling.
March 14: A review of my Louise Carmen journal
(will post an in-depth review after one month of use!)
The very first entry in my Louise Carmen notebook! Writing to you from Paris, France, in the freezing fucking cold because it’s still. And yet I’m still here, in the city I love, alone.
Much to write about, but first, some impressions of my snazzy new notebook:
Um… it smells incredible. Fresh leather. Fresh paper. Fresh ink. It’s actually amazing.
My fingers are freezing off as I write this.
The leather is very soft, but it’s kind of concerning how easily my nails can scratch it. Although, I know it’s very durable because they showed me an aged one, which looked great.
I know the leather of mine is fresh because they told me they had just cut my color today. Also good decision to come right at opening because my color is popular, there was already a line by 12:20. Line moves fast though.
Picking a popular color makes me feel a bit basic, but that’s not their fault. I really like this color and the way it ages. It almost looks brown after a few months, which is the second color option I was considering.
The whole process was actually really fast, but maybe that’s because I came in knowing what I wanted. This does take away some of the magic, but it was necessary because of the line and the high demand. Not their fault.
I felt really bad because I kept changing my mind with the charms, but the girl helping me out was really patient even though they were clearly busy. Also less charm choices than expected, which was probably good for my indecisive ass.
Did not get a portfolio because I’m not sure about how I want to set up my journaling system yet. I love that they were completely understanding of this choice too, and that they didn’t pressure me to buy one (at the end of the day they are salespeople so I expected it).
I got the Roadbook, which is also bigger than expected! I may need a bigger purse to carry it though. And I really thought I wasn’t going to need all these spaces but I’ve already found a use for the three provided notebooks…
The notebooks and the Roadbook itself are pretty thick! I kinda love that because I write a lot and it feels like something I have the space to write in and also beat up.
The price was actually less than what I expected to pay. I know some journals (with the portfolio) go up to 300 Euros, but mine went for 205. Not cheap, but I’ve been saving up for this since January at least.
I expected to pay about 235 Euros, so I was still satisfied with the lower price, even if it’s not necessarily a significant difference.
Making it in person justifies a majority of the price. I wouldn’t do this online for this price, especially since it would add pesky American taxes and shipping/delivery fees. And if you do it in person you can get money back if you bring your passport! I think its about 12%, which is significant!
Overall 8/10 experience, 10/10 product, I am not a regular journaler, but now I’m really excited to be. This is a truly beautiful product and it really feels like an extension of me.
March 15: From Paris, with love
Every time I come to Paris, I feel like my inner child is healed (in small bits). Maybe it’s because somehow, everything just feels right in this city. Even if I can barely understand French, I still somehow know my way around. I also never feel like I have to (unnecessarily) compromise myself when I’m here. The culture, although it’s not mine, doesn’t feel foreign. I try my best to observe others and know the rules of this place, and it’s never been uncomfortable.
Paris just feels familiar. I’ve only felt this way about one other city before: New York. Paris and New York are two sides of the same coin in my opinion. But, New York is much BIGGER in every sense of the word. New York is larger than life, it’s a firecracker that’s constantly going off. But Paris? Paris is like… a candle, or a gilded chandelier, lit with candles. I don’t know what that means actually, but my brain keeps saying it.
New York feels familiar in the way you recognize a very chill famous person on the street. And they think you’re cool too, but you’re not a celebrity. Paris feels like someone (in my case) that you’ve known for your whole life, like you were childhood friends separated by something devastating. But now that you’re here, nothing has changed. Paris is just as you remember it, and just as you expect it to be.
I love it in a way that I can’t explain or understand yet. I try to picture myself living here in order to really know it, but it’s difficult. I feel like I’d ruin something if I lived here. Maybe Paris and I should just stay at a distance for now, where I can love it from a far. It’s for the best, just until I’m ready.
Writing to you from the Palais Royal. It’s cold, but I just ate a banging quiche. I’m leaving now. Also I have a date with a French guy tomorrow… crazy.
Hi everyone! I hope you liked this little post! It’s a bit different from the way I usually write but I oddly felt the need to post it. I felt like a really creative person when I was in Paris earlier this month, and my journaling was just an extension of that. So here it is, I’m literally laying it all out for you guys. If even one person just tells me they like this, I’ll post the rest of the entries (even if it makes me feel vulnerable haha). Thank’s for being here and tolerating my Paris withdrawals. Adieu, à bientôt, and au revoir!
Sincerely,
Amelia.