I fell in love with Paris. I mean head-over-heels, borderline obsession, run-away-from-Sparta-like-Helen in love with Paris. It took me by surprise, which probably only added to my amour.
I grew up very proud of my Italian heritage so seeing Italy was my end all, be all place to visit. France was never on my bucket list or even really on my list of ideas, but when I planned a trip for my husband and I to Europe this year I discovered that we could fly into Charles De Gaulle for 1/2 the cost of tickets to Switzerland, which was the original idea for going (a funny story as to why we never made it to Switzerland will be for another excerpt). Paris was just supposed to be our entry and exit portal on this journey but I was immediately smitten and, fortunately, the universe knew it, as it conspired to extend our stay. More about that later on as well.
The food, the fashion, the history but most importantly, the architecture, was completely enrapturing. I had never before felt so at home in such a foreign place. It was unusual and yet comfortable in a way I could never really relay properly. Beautiful and mysterious, Paris will forever more have a hold on my heart.