Sunlight particles reflect off the cream building, changing its hue to light pink. Blue skies, classic La Tour Eiffel, shared humanity embracing sunshine warmth on the banks of the Seine. Grateful for rare warm, sunlight February days in Paris. C’est le mieux.

Note to self: Embrace beauty. Have a sense of humor. Live in the now. I am here now.

Paris holds a sense of ‘home’ for me. I like to explore different arrondissements and this visit has my husband and me residing in Belleville, 19th. Our airbnb is spacious, filled with light, quiet and has an odd, unsavory odor in the kitchen. The host is aware of the issue and daily someone has come to attempt to ‘vacate’ the mystery  smell. There are often unexpected parts of journeying, this is a small one in the grand scheme of things.

La Cave de Belleville is a sumptuous spot for wine, shared plates of charcuterie, fromage, mussels, vegetables and salads. By day a large wine shop, the evenings find locals and tourists sipping, savoring and dining.

As of yet I haven’t made it to Cafe, Le 50, Belleville, as it has been closed. This morning finds us at Cerwood Terrasse Cafe. Antlers, faux fur chair coverings, fire place; I feel as if I’ve landed in a ski chalet in Canada or the Pacific Northwest.

It’s fairly easy to navigate the metro from Belleville to the center of Paris. Metro 11, connecting at Republique (line 9) to travel to Pont D’Alma by the Eiffel Tower. Abundant sunshine yesterday found us Lime S (scootering) to Canal St Martin for coffee at Ten Belles and Caoua (two espressos required).

Sitting on the terrass at Caoua, people watching, sipping on a cortado and journaling – parfait.

Soulstrolling about Canal St. Martin followed by lunch at Shouk = sublime. Aubergine, eggplant with hummus, olive oil, fresh pita bread and a glass of white wine.

Riding LimeS down to Bastille and along the right bank of the Seine: joined by gendarmie aboard horses, cyclists, joggers, families strolling, folks sitting along the banks of the Seine. Meandering through the Tuilieries, followed by a visit to Musée de l’Orangerie,

The trees sing me home.

Beginning of sunset called for a ride on the Bateaux Mouches, departure 17h. Slow setting of winter sun reflecting off classic sites: Notre Dame, Louvre, La Tour Eifflel.

Merci, February sunshine.