dreams to be dreamed and dreams to be lived

i just can't stay away. paris, you have caught my heart so completely...if only my wallet and language skills could keep up! a while back when i realized my time was winding down, kristen and i booked tickets to go to paris for the weekend to be able to sing the classic verse "i love paris in the springtime" and visit her friend from santa barbara who is studying there. although we were only there for two and a half days, we covered a lot of ground and ate at the majority of pastry/bread shops in the center districts :) each day started with a pan chocolat, map in hand, and discussion of future plans for how we are going to live in this city some day. the changes in seasons were incredible--the sun was out, flowers were blooming, and everyone was out and about to get a taste of life without the winter layers. what is there to really say, except that paris is magical in every season. with some sense of direction, it is easy to stroll from one national monument to another, discovering picturesque alley ways and unexpected treasures. the city seems to never stop and be in some balance between extremely old and startlingly modern. there is an energy that is distinctly it's own, sparking curiosity in its visitors and continuing cooly through the daily lives of the locals. it is hard for me to believe that the novelty of it all could be warn away quickly.
here are some pics of the beautiful city and a taste of a dream come to life:

this captures one aspect of the parisian essence--adorable bikes parked near little cafes where beautiful people chat and watch the world go by.

notre dame from the back-side

we stumbled upon a local market with gorgeous produce (and to-die-for baked goods of all kinds)

taking an eating/walking break on the bridge

spring flowers in bloom

getting ready to climb to the top...obviously a little loopy from the sugar and cinnamon crepe eaten directly before this picture

here, with the view of the city below and all different languages being spoken around us, the performer started singing 'Hotel California.' i couldn't be happier being in that moment, exactly where i was with an incredible friend by my side, both of us smiling with contentment that our home is with us where ever we may go.