Day 2 of 60 | Bonjour, Paris! 🇫🇷✨
After a blissful nine-hour recovery nap from our redeye flight, Lori and I woke up fresh and focused, two Americans on a mission. Actually, three missions:
1. Find the best coffee in Paris.
2. Hit the gym before our muscles forgot what strength training feels like.
3. Find a healthy grocery store.
A bit of research (read: scrolling while still half-asleep) led us to a cafe called Terres de Café, a name that sounds fancy and, thankfully, delivers. The 20-minute stroll there took us through the park behind our apartment… which just so happens to be the one that hosts a little landmark you may have heard of: the Eiffel Tower. No big deal. Casual.🤣
The weather was showing off with sunny skies, perfect temperature, and zero complaints. Add to that Google Maps’ step-by-step photo directions, and we were basically on a self-guided walking tour. I couldn’t help but think back to my first time in Paris at 18, navigating the city with a massive Let’s Go Europe guidebook and a hopeful heart. Kids today will never know the stress of paper maps and missed metro stops. Thank you, technology.
Back to the coffee. I had an oat milk latte that honestly made me question every cup I’ve ever had back home. If this is how we’re starting our “Best Coffee in Paris” challenge, the bar has been set sky-high. But don’t worry, we’re up for the task.
With caffeine coursing through our veins, it was time to conquer the gym. First challenge? The weights were all in kilos, not pounds, which is great unless you’re at risk of accidentally deadlifting a small car. A little quick math (and a few double-checks) saved me from disaster, and I got a solid strength session in.
Workout complete, we summoned an Uber and headed to a grocery store that Lori had expertly sourced, as in, this wasn’t just any grocery store, it was inside a megamall. I don’t know how she does it, but Lori has an uncanny talent for turning even the most mundane errands into mall excursions. It’s like a superpower. And apparently, she’s also moonlighting as a global grocery connoisseur, because this place, La Grande Épicerie de Paris, wasn’t just a store, it was THE grocery store. Imagine every upscale market you’ve ever been to, mashed into one glorious, bougie food temple. It was so fancy, I felt underdressed standing in the largest cheese section I have ever seen.
By noon, all three of our missions were accomplished, and the rest of the day shifted into domestic mode. We hit the mall and a handful of shops to outfit our Paris apartment with all the essentials it was missing (yes, this included multiple trips to the same store). But by the end of the day, we were officially moved in and fully functional.
Day Two: Complete: Coffee, gym, bougie, grocery store, shopping, Eiffel Tower views! ✅ Let’s see what Sunday brings!
