Falling into Fall

Every year this time around my birthday, the wind comes and the leaves begin to fall. I walk out in my boots and scarves and just can't help but feel a tingle of warmth inside me. There's something words can't describe about the beauty of this season, about the moment you step outside into the crisp autumn air, and discover, that almost over night, life around you has turned into these fabulous shades of reddish golden brown. And that those beautiful leaves around you, even in their parting, bid farewell in such splendid fashion, choosing not to mourn the end of their time, but rather celebrate the beginning of something fresh and new ahead.

And so Fall is a time of gathering of friends and family. In New York, it would have been over coffee at the latest coffee shop or perhaps a stroll on the High Line before seeing the view of the Brooklyn Bridge at nightfall. But in Paris, it's about secret places and intimate ambiances, either below in a cave or up on a rooftop. 

1) Nanashi

Tucked away at the back of a posh children's clothing boutique in Saint Germain des Prés, this Modern Japanese European restaurant is the perfect spot for brunching on weekends or just an afternoon tea or coffee.

Inside, soft pillows and wooden chairs provides an atmosphere of comfort and intimacy. Outside, the charming private terrace allows a quiet backdrop for long conversations. 

All foods are fresh and organic. The brunch bento box mixes the perfect blend of meats, starch and veggies that leaves you feeling healthy and refreshed.

2) Le Perchoir Rooftop

A random queue in front of a no-name entrance, before you're ushered up a small elevator to this gorgeous rooftop. Although Le Perchoir may not be as much of a secret as it used to be, it still remains one of the most intimate Parisian spots for drinks before sundown. Share a bottle of rosé with a whole new view of the Parisian landscape before you. 

bhv.fr

~*~*~*~

Finally, a little update about me:

My weeks have been flying by since classes began in September, front-loaded with 6 hours of class per day (!!!) first half of the week, then followed by a long busy weekend of engagements. I've been living this sort of double life, a student on campus turned grown up when back in Paris, getting my fair dose of HEC campus parties and events (more on that later) all the while doing such things like...visiting new born babies, inviting future parent-in-laws over for dinner, going to apartment warming crémaillères, receiving friends from Hong Kong, Singapore, Atlanta and New York, and of course dinners and soirées that is just...that...no more clubbing (oh la la). So I apologize for disappearing off the internet for a month without notice. Alas, I am alive and well, and missing, of course, blogging. :p

Élysée Palace of the French President

Just once per year for a weekend, the Élysée Palace, private residence of the President opens up for public viewing. And so this saturday, my friends and I stood in line for eight hours (yes. eight. whole. hours) just to be able to take a walk inside the most prestigious French castles of all.

back of the residence

library

salon

Salle des Fêtes. Ideal setting for official ceremonies.

Fine silverware from the 19th century

18th century cookware currently still in use to serve the President

precious silverware still in use today

the rooftop terrace allows guards to patrol the area

As you may have noticed, I have a thing for château's, especially French ones. They always tell wonderful stories of history's great civilizations' rise and fall. And somehow, you are always reminded that history...always repeats itself.

Croatia's Medieval Walled City

Among the world's 10 best preserved medieval walled cities is the beautiful seaside port of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Sitting on the coast of the sparkling mediterranean sea, Dubrovnik served in ancient times as a resting port for ships at night.

a major road leading to the Church in the walled city

The “Old Town”, as they call it, with its red roofs and creamy beige architecture, is entirely surrounded by walls up to 25 meters high. Often and repeatedly under attack for control by many neighboring states, it's turbulent history involved a great fire that destroyed nearly the whole city in 1296 and a month long siege by the Napoleon Army that led to 3,000 cannonballs being fired onto the city. Today though, the Old Town has been restored in all its glory. 

entrance to the "Old Town"

map of the Old Town

red roofs

Stepping foot inside the "Old Town" felt a bit magical. With nearly all the original architecture intact, I stood there envisioning how life would have been back hundreds of years ago, the people that crossed this very same street everyday...sailing, trading, living. Would they have been all that different from you and me?

There were gorgeous, wonderfully preserved churches, villas, shops, and sea ports. Even the oldest pharmacy in Europe that dated back to the 1300s...

the "main street" of the city

and palaces with magnificent architectural designs.

inside a palace in the city

Unsurprisingly, Dubrovnik’s greatest achievements were in the field of marine technology and sea trade. Ivan Rblijanin once lived there as one of the most famous cannon and bell founders of his time. Sea chests made in city boasted some of strongest and most advanced locking systems. Huge fleets of merchant ships called Argosies travelled all over the world, founding even some settlements in India and America.

streets

streets

Unfortunately, as many treasured old cities and cultures around the world, Dubrovnik has become increasing touristic. For the first time, I finally understood why history was so important.

Increasing globalization, especially in cities today in Asia, has so quickly erased memories of our past. Culture and civilization will forever be changing, and waves of technology and innovation will inevitably destroy in their paths cultures and past ways of life. And so it's imperative that we pass along stories of the past and where we came from, and do everything possible to preserve and remember. Otherwise everything will forever be lost. 

looking up at the walls that surrounded the city

Despite Dubrovnik’s turbulent history, the city itself always aspired to live in peace and freedom. It believed in free trade, with its ships sailing a white flag with the Latin word for freedom, Libertas. Even its prison system was seen as quite revolutionary as some captives were only imprisoned during the day and was allowed to return home at night to their families. 

Today, the city is now protected in UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and has a steady population of about 42,000 with tens of thousands of visitors per day.