SheSoMajor Takes Paris: The Birthday Edition!

Aug 11, 2012 No Comments by Sherice Major

I’ve been missing in action for a while but between being jet-lagged and adjusting to BST, I’ve been completely out of it!

Yesterday [August 10], was my birthday and I’d like to use this post to say THANK YOU to every one of our readers, my friends and family that took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday on three different time zones. I am beyond grateful to have such a support mechanism like my team, [family+friends], I LOVE you all to the moon and back!

How did I celebrate the big day?

PARIIIIIS!

It’s always been on my bucket list; the rich history and culture of the French have been something that I’ve always longed to experience and what better birthday gift than a trip to France!

I packed my georgie bundle and hopped on the Eurostar from London headed to Gare du Nord! Heading to France I had a bit of trepidation, I was warned of the unfriendly nature of the French, especially if you don’t speak their language.

A few years back I majored in Journalism & Languages with French & Spanish as minors…I dropped the languages so the only phrase I knew in French was ‘je suis une cafe de leche.’ Not much help right…

As I arrived in Paris and walked out of the train station and breathed in Parisian air, I knew I made the right decision to slam the door in the face of fear and embrace the unknown.

The subway was quite simple for me to adapt to. Living in New York City, I’m a subway specialist! My first stop? Le Louvre! You know…only one of the most famous museums in Europe. Breathtaking, it’s beauty simply can’t be captured on film.

I snapped a few photos of the architecture and was on my way to the Mona Lisa but the cue was just insane so I decided to wave to the fair lady and keep it moving!

At the Louvre I met up with two of my insane Americans friends Gauri & Lia, the absolute best travel friends in life!

Moving along…I headed through the Tuileries Palace, AMAZING! While strolling through I snapped up a yummy pain au chocolat treat for my trek. Tourists and local alike were lounging in the grass, by the waterfalls, simply enjoying life the French way.

Exiting the Palace, I caught up with Gauri & Lia and headed to make our way down the famous Champs-Elysées and eventually to the Arc de Triomphe. Please be warned….the Arc from the Palace isn’t as close as it appears! I thought I was walking back to London!

On the way we couldn’t help but indulge in some Parisian retail therapy….the Louis Vuitton store…one word, MAJOR…If you continue down the rue, there’s everything from H&M to PROMOD to Cartier to Guerlain…

Finally we made it to the magnificent Arch!

We snapped photos and then headed on to Notre Dame to visit Quasimodo…but we got lost…very lost!

I could go on and on about the rest of my day which was never-ending….yet amazing. Had the most amazing pasta, took the most beautiful boat ride down the river Seine while drinking exquisite French wine and as the clock struck 12:00 p.m. enjoyed the twinkling lights from on of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Eiffel Tower.

I’ve never spent my birthday away from my close circle of family and friends but I wanted to experience life and do something out of the ordinary. Many times we let fear prohibit us from experiencing life.

My birthday lesson to you all if you’re still reading is a quote from the one and only Eleanor Roosevelt.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”