Happy

What could be better than writing my 100th blog post on a sunny Saturday summer night in Paris?  Nothing.  I am blissful.  My legs are tingling from another long walk across the city and I have  market fresh paella waiting in the fridge with a chilled 5 euros bottle of rosé.  

For my 50th post in December 2011, I wrote a list of my 50 favourite things to do in Paris.  In honour of my 100th post, here is another list of 50 things - past and present - that make me happy in Paris!

Before the sun came out today

1. Confiture d'abricot
   It was one of my first tastes of Paris in 2003 and I still want to smother its delicious stickiness on everything from tartine to sliced pieces of pear.
   
   
2. A boulangerie on every corner
   
   
3. The smell of the Tuileries Gardens in the summer just after it rainsIt's a mix of fresh clay, wet grass and flowers that soaks into your skin.
   
   
4. Paris in the winter
   I visited Paris the first time in February and I have so many great memories of exploring the city in near emptiness.  I remember being at the top of the Eiffel Tower with less than a dozen people and drinking red wine from the inside of my down coat. 
   
   
5. Knowing that after this summer, Chris and I will be one step closer to our dream of living in Paris
   
   
6. The convenience and affordability of shopping at small, independently owned businessesI love the products, the quality and the care.  I love talking to the owners who are so knowledgeable and so passionate.  I love that there are three cheese shops within three blocks and all are thriving. 
   
   
7. Sugar in my coffee
   
8. The elderly husband and wife team who sell homemade ice cream from a tiny stand on the Right Bank side of the "love locks" bridge
   
   
9. Chocolate with my coffee
   
   
10. After so many trips, after walking the same routes dozens of times and seeing the same things that Paris' beauty can still move me to tears at least once a day
    
11. Going to see movies, version originale, toute seule
    
12. Monoprix has an apéritif aisle
    In this aisle you find peanuts, pretzels, miniature crackers and olives all to accompany your pre-dinner drink.
    
    
13. Bridges
    Each bridge is different and each has its own history.  I like watching how tourists attach their own meanings, usually romantic, to the bridges and how Parisians storm over them as though every city is filled with bridges with views of Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur or the Eiffel Tower. 
    
    
14. Outside living
    Smaller living spaces mean that people live and socialize on the streets and I love the noise and the energy.
    
    
15. A different market every day of the week
    
16. Walking along the banks of the Seine
    
    
17. Eating falafel in the Marais on Sunday afternoons
    
18. Magazine kiosks on every corner
    
    
19. The moment Chris really fell in love with Paris He said it happened a few trips ago when we arrived at Place de la Concorde to admire the views.  I turned to him and said, "It never gets old, does it."  It wasn't a question and he realized that there was no other place in the world except Paris.
    
    
20. Dogs galloping across the lawns at Champ de Mars
    
21. Children dressed better than me
    
    
    
22. Finally accepting, even I can't explain it, that Paris is home and there will be no substitute or no settling until we achieve our dream of living here
    
    
    
23. Le Petit Cler
    
    
    
24. A litre of Badoit costs less than a dollar
    
    
    
25. That you can always find a quiet street in Paris
    
26. I can buy Haribo everywhere, even from the vending machines at my métro station
    
    
27. Walking everywhere
    
28. Paris in the summerI was nervous about being here at the height of tourist season but the city is alive and there are so many wonderful, free things to do and see. Les Berges!  There was even a pop-up petting zoo at the end of rue  Cler today complete with a giant donkey and one, squealing piglet.  And Parisians are out just as much as tourists especially when the weather is nice.
    
    
29. Being able to buy small amounts of delicious food so nothing gets wasted
    
    
    
30. Saying "Bonjour" to the rue Cler Regulars every morning
    
    
    
31. Chris and I drinking champagne at LV Avenue Montaigne
    
    
    
32. The adrenalin rush of zooming through the streets of Paris in a Tuk-Tuk
    
    
    
33. The radio station I listen to in Paris plays Wham's "Last Christmas" in June
    
    
    
34. The book market at Parc George Brassens
    I love how peaceful it is and that it feels serious.  It smells like Paris park mixed with that lovely musty book smell and almost everyone talks in whispers. 
    
    
35. Stray cats that let me cuddle them and scratch underneath their chins
    
36. Produce that looks and smells like it came from the earth and not off the back of a diesel truck
    They don't look waxy or smell faintly of plastic.  I bought some apricots today and their scent was so strong it made my stomach growl.  Almost as seductive as perfume.
    
    
37. Demi-baguettes
    
    
    
38. Not feeling afraid
    
    
    
39. Living two blocks from the Eiffel Tower and treating Champ de Mars park like my backyard
    
    
    
40. French translations of English moviesThe best one so far has been "Hangover 3" translated into "Very Bad Trip 3"
    
    
    
41. Spending time with people that love Paris as irrationally as I do
    
    
    
42. Les Soldes
    
43. Chris speaking French
    
44. Living my dream
    
    
45. Chocolate éclairs
    
46. Writing every day and feeling excited and inspired every day
    
    
47. Beauty is everywhere and learning to appreciate the smallest moments and the smallest details
    
48. Eating slowly in a restaurant by myself
    
49. Kissing Chris in front of the Eiffel Tower
    
50. Chris arrives on Wednesday in ParisI wanted to save what I am happiest about for  last!  Both of us have been trying not to count the days until he arrives but it is so soon and I can't wait to be together in OUR city.
    
    PS - Please accept my apologies for the horrible formatting!  The bullet list option wasn't that user friendly.