Home > April in Paris > Archives > 2008 > October > 20 > Entry
Welcome to Paris
A few weeks ago a dear friend and I were talking about transitioning in our lives when I blurted out, “I have found in my life that the things that cause me the greatest amount of fear are often the very things that allow for life’s greatest rewards.”
Well, here I am.
I can’t really explain how I feel. I am very excited, grateful and exhilarated. I am also shy, nervous (I can’t remember a lick of French from my intensive French course at Baylor), and well, a little scared of the unknown.
I didn’t sleep a wink on the eight-hour flight across the Atlantic with the 5,187-mile distance to destination miles. I had to be separated from my bag with all of my documentation that proves my existence. So, I made myself comfortable watching my favorite movie of all time, “Chocolat,” (set in France, of course) while keeping an eye on my bag. Upon landing, I averted two of my non-French speaking concerns, uh well, actually worries. I found the baggage claim and successfully hailed a taxi. My journey from the Charles De Galle airport to my hotel ended with a big sigh of relief.
The Hotel Claude Bernard was in the Latin Quarter at 43 Rue des Ecoles. The red awning out front touted the traditional interior and quaint ambience. I was greeted by a handsome Algerian named Mamun whom I wondered if he had a mysterious double or if he really worked 24-hour shifts. My room was perfectly to the point with the amenities with my favorite detail being the glass doors that opened to the balcony revealing the beautiful French street below. I showered and decided to sleep off my jet lag in my wonderfully inviting French bed.
I awoke at 3 a.m. like a good baker should and flung open the French doors to the French balcony to remind myself that I really was in Paris. Immediately, I was overwhelmed by the aroma of fresh baked baguettes and sweet pastries pouring into my room. I staggered and looked around. My eyes narrowed. I wondered if I was still asleep and perhaps in a lifelike dream. The freezing air whipped at my nightgown. I was definitely awake. I imagined people in their nightgowns being drawn in a hypnotic trance down French streets and over French bridges towards the indescribable perfume of buttery brioche and pain au chocolat. I pressed myself as far over the banister as I could, to search the dark streets for the source of the intoxicating fragrance. Did I fall victim to an unassuming bread truck making its morning deliveries precisely before I flung open the doors? Or could it be that this is the true Parisian experience in the wee hours every single morning? Chills speckled my arms as I fell back onto my bed and allowed the thick aroma to wash over me and everything in my beautiful French hotel room. Thoughts swirled in my mind like the ingredients in a copper pot for a creme anglaise. I could see the patissiers (French pastry chefs) and boulangers (French bakers) with their white hats gently cutting through the flutter of flour in the warm, kitchen air. The meltingly soft pastries being lovingly brushed with apricot glaze. The thick crusted breads crackling as they came out of the centuries old brick oven.
I laid there in my sugary haze on my French bed. A baker’s out-of-body experience. I am forever changed. What a welcome to France. I peeked, and yes, the carpet in the hallway was red.
Comments
By Gloria Gregory
October 21, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Sounds like you are having a grand time in Paris. Live, learn, and savor the experience. We miss you here at home, but hope you gain more out of your travels than you ever expected. Love Gloria
By Billie
October 21, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
I could smell the pastries baking,and feel the red carpet under my feet. Maybe you should go into journalism, I feel like I am in Paris. Keep blogging I love your story. Billie Barnes Las Vegas,Nevada
By Sam Tucker
October 21, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
April you are living the dream that most of us only daydream about. Is there any chance that you need an American “taste tesing team” of which I would surely be qualified to be the captain? I cant wait for your next entry!
By Mary Jo Gorden
October 21, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
April, how exciting! Jack and I have stayed at the Claude Bernard. What a great place for you to begin your adventure! It is such fun hearing about your impressions and experiences. Sounds like you are having the time of your life. Thanks for sharing with us. Love, Mary Jo
By Janey Sarther
October 21, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
You are my hero! Sounds like a fabulous experience. Missing you, Janey
By Jen
October 21, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
“Laissez les bons temps rouler” Enjoy Sis…miss you…love you!
By Jimmie Kelley
October 21, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Hi April. Just couldn’t resist this. I am the mother in law of your precious sister Jen. This is all so exciting for me to remotely know someone who is in Paris studying. I wish you all the luck and joys this wonderful city has to offer and look forward to meeting the rest of your family someday. Jimmie Kelley
By Rhonel Didrikson
October 21, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
April:
Only you could make me feel like a fly on the wall. Keep up the documentary and let us “see” what is going on.
By Aunt Margaret
October 21, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Hi!
This is a very good writing about your experiences in Paris. I love the “April in Paris.” :) Keep up the good work! Love, Aunt Margaret
By N winston
October 21, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Congrats on making it to Paris! We are all very jealous of your experience and cannot wait to hear more on your adventures. You are definitely missed at Texas Baking!
By Suzy Childers
October 21, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
I love it. I love it. I love it. Keep it coming. Or better, can I be a mouse in your white chef’s hat like ratatoulle, but I’ll just watch and keep quiet? Your words are beautiful and your passion for your trade makes me happy! Oh how I miss my April in Texas, but April in Paris makes me smile.
Can’t wait to read more!
By Brian Pennington
October 22, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this
I’m beginning to wonder if you are coming back to Texas. It seems you have found your nirvana. Maybe we can combine a blog one day. You with your pastries from around the world and mine touring the links across Scotland and Ireland. (pardon any spelling errors it is 4am and I can’t focus my eyes). Don’t forget Ed’s pen and bring me back something sweet.
By TP
October 22, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
What a treat to smell the heavenly bread and pastries baking every morning:) Wow what an exciting adventure, keep the stories coming I am fascinated.
By Mom
October 22, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
April, I can’t wait to hear the “rest of the story.” Keep the news and excitement rolling! Bon Appetit!
By Janey Sarther
October 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
You are my hero. Keep living the dream! Janey
By Bill R
October 22, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Still waiting to hear about the “faux pas” you cruely hinted at in your Email but would not tell of.
Sounds like you’re having the time of your life. I am happy for you, but jealous of you.
Miss you and the TBC. Hate that I’ve had to do it, but you drove me to it.
Starbucks!!! ‘(
By biscotti
October 22, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
~Miss you Mom~
By Scott
October 22, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Hey, hey you’re my hero, April! It seems like yesterday we were catching chickens and wrestling chicken snakes at mamaw and papaws in Bon Wier … you know, where everything is “fine”…:-)
Keep living your dream baby girl, and making it happen.
We miss you here in Texas, but don’t you come back til you are full. And if you never get full, then visit every once in a while.
Wish I was there with ya, and remember France is next on my vacation list. I hope the rent is cheap!
I will try to find Tina’s (moms cousins) address and phone number for you. She lives in Paris and is an interpreter… that may come in handy.
Anyway
I love ya… Scott
By Billie Barnes
October 23, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
April, Please be careful at what you put on your head. I will NEVER get to Paris——unless it’s Paris, Texas. Ha Ha So keep the stories and pictures coming. Love Billie
By Kandee
October 26, 2008 6:07 AM | Link to this
April, We soo much miss your Baking Company here in Lufkin. But this is great reading. I just found it and I am very interested in many more entries. we will all live vicariously through you. Enjoy!
By Billie B
October 27, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Hi April; It sounds like you are having a GREAT time. I’m glad things worked out with your hair and it didn’t fall out in the sink. NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOOK!!!!!!!!! love the pictures of the market. It must be beautiful this time of year. keep writing Girl.
By
October 27, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
It sounds like you are having a Great time. I wish I could have hid in your suitcase. We are all (FINE) in Las Vegas. love reading your stories.
By cheryl
October 27, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
I feel like I am right there with you. I love reading about your adventures, please keep blogging…. It sounds like are having the time of your life. cheryl from las vegas
By Angela Nguyen
October 29, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Bonjour Mademoiselle April! Comment allez vous? That’s all i got, I always love to speak French. Love to read all about your adventures in French. Please keep writting…and baking…
By J'Nai
October 29, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
So many times I find myself drooling and starving when we talk. I didn’t think reading about your adventures would have the same effect. Pardon me, I have to wipe my chin.
By Sandy Mc
November 3, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
What fun to have an opportunity to read all your comments about your visit to France. I feel as if I can smell and hear what you hear and smell. Why am I not surprised? Only because you are still the special young woman you were when you were a student at Brandon…I will forever remember you. Just returned from a memorial for Jill Jarvis. Don’t remember if you were about the same age or not…she was killed in an auto accident in Arkansas. Coming home and reading about your adventure made me warm inside…Have a wonderful time. I’ll be reading your blog…hugs, Sandy McEntire
By Shelia Smith
November 10, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
My daughter Sierra Smith has been following your story. Sierra is the 13 year old that brought her almond blueberry cookies into your bakery and had you taste test them. She lost her competition that day, but you were so great with her. It gave her a huge confidence boost. She still dreams of attending the LE Cordon Bleu or the French Culinary Institute. She is now mastering gourmet cupcakes. We miss you. Thanks for giving her tons of self confidence. Shelia Smith