Travel Talk: Double Celebration in Paris 🎉 🎂❤️

🥐 🎂💖❤️🎉✨🥐🎂💫🥰🎉🌸🎂✨💕🥐📸🌸🎂✨💕🥐📸🌸🎂✨💕🥐📸

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual Canadian holiday held on the second Monday in October. The date varies from year to year. This year, it falls on October 13 - coincidentally, my birthday 😊😊😊

For this double celebration, I celebrated in style—thanks to my amazing kids, who gifted me a trip to the City of Love and Light: Paris ❤️❤️❤️

They had organized the trip months in advance and flew in on October 10, from different cities in the United States—San Francisco and New York. I felt so spoiled and grateful, as the entire week was filled with nothing but joy, laughter, love, and delicious French pastries (plus burgers🍔🍔🍔).

My kids left Montreal after graduating from McGill — Wendy in 2014 and Eric in 2020. Since then, they’ve each built their own lives in different cities, pursuing their dreams and creating their own paths. I’m so proud of them, though I must admit, I miss them and don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.

This past October, from 11 to 17, for the first time in a long while, the three of us were together again — under the same roof, in the City of Light — for six unforgettable nights and days 🌤️🌃🌤️🌃

And the best part? Whenever we went out together or stayed in, it was always a worry-free experience for me — no need to think about the logistics of anything. What I heard most was: "What do you want to do, mom?" Whenever I inquired about the distance or cost, the response was always the same: "Don't worry about it, we have got it all covered"😘😘😘

I couldn't have asked for a sweeter birthday week (literally 😋)

Since this trip is the most memorable one. I am writing this blog to capture some of the highlights — the laughter, the adventures, and those little Parisian moments that made my heart full ❤️❤️❤️

Here are some of my daily highlights😊😊😊

✨Sunset with Effie in the background (October 11) ✨

It was our first evening together after everyone had arrived in Paris. My daughter went straight into sleep mode soon after reaching the apartment — and I don’t blame her! With a nine-hour time difference, two or three connecting flights, and very little rest, she truly needed to catch up on sleep.

Eric and I, on the other hand, had direct flights and only a six-hour time difference, so we were ready to explore the neighborhood. After a late afternoon meal, we took a leisurely walk toward the water and caught the sunset — with the Eiffel Tower standing gracefully in the background.

Simply beautiful. 🌇

✨Sunrise on Montmartre (October 12) ✨

While the whole city was still sleeping, we were already up — hungry, especially Wendy! She opened the fridge looking for something to eat, only to find it completely empty. We had forgotten to buy the ham and cheese she’d asked for 😋😋😋

So, instead of breakfast, we decided to chase the sunrise. We started walking toward Montmartre in the soft, early dawn light. The streets were empty, the streetlights still glowing, and for a while, it felt as if the whole city belonged just to us. But the sunrise was still two hours away.

Luckily, we found a small restaurant that was open, so we enjoyed our first breakfast in Paris. Refueled and re-energized, we continued our walk toward Montmartre.

When the sun finally rose over the rooftops of Paris at 8:12 a.m., it was pure magic. 🌅

🎉🍜🍷My Birthday on the Seine (October 13) 🎉🍜🍷

The night before my birthday, I was asked, “What do you want to do, Mom?” And on the day itself, they told me, “It’s your birthday — you can do whatever you want!” 

On my previous trip to Paris in March, one of my favorite memories was the river cruise and a peaceful stroll along the Seine. So this time, I decided to relive that special moment — with my kids by my side. The weather wasn’t perfect, but at least it wasn’t raining. We boarded the cruise, bundled up against the chilly wind, and enjoyed a lively chat (mostly between the kids themselves, but I loved watching them laugh away) as we floated past Paris’s most beautiful sights.

My two kids share one funny thing in common: neither likes asking strangers to take photos! So, we didn’t get a group picture of the three of us together with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Instead, I made a collage from our two-person photos — and it worked perfectly. A creative way to capture a perfect day.

After our walk along the Seine, we browsed through a few charming bookstores and picked up some macarons for a touch of sweetness. At lunch, I had my first burger in Paris at Le Flotte — and to my surprise, it was absolutely delicious. I don’t usually enjoy burgers, but this one was perfectly cooked and full of flavor — the kind that makes you pause and savor every bite.

No wonder I ended up ordering burgers two more times in the days that followed!

Dinner on my birthday was at a cozy Chinese restaurant — complete with wine, beer, and, of course, noodles, a traditional symbol of longevity and prosperity. The beer we ordered was Tsingtao, a famous brew from my home province, which made it feel even more special.

I dressed up for the occasion, and Wendy dressed to match my style — such a sweet gesture. To my delight, both of them impressed me by speaking Chinese with the waiter! It was the perfect way to end a beautiful birthday in Paris — a blend of East and West, love and laughter.

Since the restaurant wasn’t busy, we played a few rounds of cards that Eric had brought along for the trip. On the way back, I joined the gang and smoked a little — under my son’s “bad influence,” as my daughter would say.

We ended the night cuddled on the couch, watching a Nouvelle Vague movie — my daughter’s pick, of course, since she’s such a fan of those unique French films. It was the perfect, cozy ending to a birthday filled with love, laughter, and little surprises.

✨Monet's Houses and Garden (October 14) ✨

When my son started working from Tuesday to Thursday (1:00 to 8:00 PM ET) at the Google office, my daughter stepped in to plan my day and she did propose quite a few options before getting into more details. It was heartwarming to see her take charge, making sure every moment was enjoyable. With her thoughtful planning, I felt completely cared for and could just relax and enjoy the little moments.

We took a train and shuttle to visit Monet's Garden, the very place where he found inspiration for his famous paintings, like:

• Impression, Sunrise,

• Water Lilies,

• The Saint-Lazare Station (The station where our apartment was only 5 minutes away)

  
  

Walking through the garden felt like stepping into one of his masterpieces, with flowers and water lilies in every direction. It was far more relaxing and refreshing than standing before the Mona Lisa in the crowded Louvre.

Visiting the boutique was also delightful. My daughter wandered off among the books and later shared a story she found in one of them. It was quite interesting. Meanwhile, I was happily busy searching for souvenirs — and of course, I bought a few things!

The shop seemed to have something for everyone: coasters, mouse pads, glasses cases, bookmarks, even a daily calendar called 365 Flowers. I didn’t buy it at the time because it felt a bit pricey at €29. Looking back, I do regret not bringing it home — it would’ve been a lovely reminder of that beautiful trip.

✨Google Lunch and Salsa Dancing (October 15) ✨

After strolling through a few of the beautiful indoor passages with my son that morning, we headed to Google for lunch — definitely one of the highlights of the day. The meal was even better than the one I had at Google Montreal. There were a lot of choices and a lot of cheeses. The space in Paris is smaller, but it feels much more intimate, and the view of the garden adds such a peaceful charm. Too bad my daughter slept in that morning and couldn’t join us — she joined him once he was in Google in London and sent over a lovely photo of them there

Salsa Dancing: It was an adventure I almost missed — if not for my daughter’s insistence. She also proposed other activities like hot Yoga or manicure and pedicure. Thanks to her, I ended up having one of the most unexpectedly fun nights of the trip. The evening started with a free salsa lesson, followed by hours of lively dancing. I hadn’t danced with a partner in quite some time, let alone something as energetic as salsa! The crowd was sizeable, and some dancers moved so effortlessly it was mesmerizing to watch. I gathered my courage and invited two or three skilled dancers — and to my delight, they accepted💃💃💃

As my daughter wisely put when I voiced my hesitation, “What’s the worst that could happen? You get rejected? So what?” She’s really walking the talk and growing stronger in character. I love how she often reminds her brother of this mindset — that every tough moment is just another chance to “build character.” Whether it’s dealing with hunger when food isn’t around, or struggling to fall asleep on a long flight, she turns discomfort into a lesson. It’s such a joy to hear her little pep talks — they’re full of heart, humor, and resilience. So proud of you, Wendy 👍👍👍

We ended the night with a Japanese meal and a warm cup of Seika, while my son stayed behind working late in the office without having a real dinner — poor him! Meanwhile, for my daughter and me, it felt as though we were truly blending in with the locals, dining late after a full day of fun.

On our way back, Wendy took me to a little photo booth nearby, and we took an instant picture together. We got two copies printed — and of course, she gave me the better one. That’s just so her. ❤️ 🥰🥰🥰

✨Musée Marmottan Monet and the Bois de Boulogne (October 16) ✨

The art museum is dedicated to the artist and holds over 300 paintings by Monet. It wasn’t crowded, so we really enjoyed our visit. After the museum, we took a leisurely stroll through the nearby Bois de Boulogne, the second-largest park in Paris. According to Wikipedia, it’s about two and a half times the size of Central Park in New York. We didn’t encounter many people, but we did spot a few elegant swans gliding freely across the lake — a sweet and peaceful moment.

After our long walk and heartfelt conversation, with little stops at bookstores, jewelry boutiques, and souvenir shops along the way, we finally settled for a late afternoon lunch at a cozy place called Le Bois. I ordered my third burger of the trip — complete with crispy fries — and savored every bite. Between laughter and quiet pauses, I took a few photos on my phone, wanting to hold on to those tender, unhurried moments that felt both ordinary and unforgettable.

We had our last supper in Paris after my son finished work at 8:30. We went to a cozy French restaurant called Le Florentin and ordered classic French dishes, starting with a bottle of wine and ending with a crème brûlée to share. On the way back, each of us lit a cigarette, and Eric promised me that as soon as he was back in New York, he would quit smoking for good and I believe him 😉😉😉

Smoking was just for Paris — I know that’s true for me. We were all on vacation, after all 🚬🚬🚬

✨Navigating Paris on my own ✨

One of the unexpected highlights of my trip was navigating the city on my own. It was scary at first, but I didn’t have a choice — I was the first to arrive. Even though my son’s flight was only two hours behind mine, he landed at a different airport, so I had to figure out how to get to our meeting point by myself 👍👍👍

To me, the Paris Metro and train system felt like a zoo — so many lines going in every direction, and all of it so confusing at first! But somehow, I managed to find my way.

Luckily, he arrived shortly after I did, and from then on, everything felt easy. He took charge of directions (and my luggage!)

Finding my way back to the apartment felt a little daunting at first, especially when I learned there were four different codes just to get inside. When I first learned that I told myself, there’s no way I’ll ever make it back on my own. But guess what? By day four, I did it — and I was so proud of myself.

There were a few other times when I stepped out of my comfort zone and navigated the city on my own. Thankfully, with Google Maps and internet on the go, I managed to find my way through the charming streets of Paris — sometimes hesitantly, but always successfully ✅✅✅

Heading to the airport alone at the end of the trip felt like another small challenge. I had an early flight to catch, and since I wasn’t taking an Uber or taxi, I had to rely entirely on the metro, the train, and myself. But I did it — encouraged by my kids’ words: “You’re a strong, independent woman, and you speak French!” 😊😊😊

On our last day, my kids asked, “What was the highlight of this trip, Mom?"

I smiled and said, “Every moment spent with you two.”

And I meant it — no Eiffel Tower, no croissant, no sparkling Paris night could ever top that.

Since the trip was spent with the people I love most, it wasn’t the places we visited or the things we did that mattered, but the moments we shared — quietly, joyfully, and almost completely — from October 11 to October 17. Those days glow in my heart as the brightest part of 2025 and will remain cherished for many years to come❤️❤️❤️

I’m grateful for my incredible children, who gifted me with their presence — the most precious gift of all🎁🧧🎁

Thank you again, my dear kids, for filling my days with comfort and warmth — for making me the most blessed mom in the world😇💖😇

I love you both with all my heart, and I hope we’ll share many more celebrations together🙏✨🙏