Searching the archives, I found this fun shot. Peter and I share the selfie with the photobomber!

City Daily Photo Theme Day - GIFT

Today my City Daily Photoblog friends around the world are posting this month's theme, GIFT. For me, the gift of friendship is the perfect choice. I met Peter Olson, Peter's Paris, through blog friends before my second trip to Paris in November, 2008. He graciously shared his knowledge of Paris and a few bottles of champagne that trip and has continued to offer an incredible amount of time for me and my friends every single trip since. I dubbed him the MOST PATIENT MAN IN PARIS, years ago and he's held the title ever since. He is always willing to do whatever is on my "program" as he calls it, no matter how many times he's visited that place. He kindly stops and waits while I take an endless number of photos or just need a little rest for my back.  We have shared many wonderful Paris memories, laughs and more glasses of champagne than we can remember. After every trip, I always remind him that he is indeed  my best friend in Paris. Merci Peter, pour le cadeau de ton amitié.

Please click HERE to see all of the CDP Theme Day posts from around the world!

Mary

If memory serves, Mary is checking the weather as we strike out for another jam packed, glorious day in Paris. It's a very special gift to have her join me on so many trips to Paris. We've been doing this since 2009, and I hope there are many more trips in our future. Merci mon amie.

I Love Paris Apartments

Peter's Paris

In 2008, my second trip to Paris, I connected with Paris blogger Peter Olson.  Since then, I've been fortunate to spend many wonderful hours walking the streets of Paris with him. He's probably more knowledgeable than most Parisians, he's Swedish after all, and our journeys around Paris never disappoint. The City of Paris benefits from his expertise as a Paris Greeter. After 13 trips to Paris, Peter and I have walked many, many miles, explored numerous sites and of course enjoyed many laughs and glasses of champagne. I have called him "The Most Patient Man In Paris" and after years of photo walks, he still holds the title!

This photo of Peter is exactly like every walk we take. He's ahead, I'm behind. It's how we roll!

Nouveaux amis

Say what you will about the French, but Southern women know how to make friends, even in Paris. My friend Martha had been in Paris about 6 hours when, as I was off shooting, she marched right up to a delightful French couple here in the playground area with their grandson, and made friends! With that, Martha was off and running making amis all over Paris that week!

Mes amies

Anna Mae and Martha, having fun waiting for the rest of us at Luxembourg Gardens. Enjoying Paris with friends, priceless.

CIty Daily Photo Theme Day - What Would You Miss?

Peter Olson and Mary Gilbert

Asking me what I would miss most of Paris, the city I call my home away from home was daunting. Then I realized that although Paris offers me so many wonderful experiences, it's the friends who I share it with who make it so special.

Today my City Daily Photoblog friends around the world share their special photographs. Please have a look here.

Mary à Paris

Ma chère amie Mary and I met in 2007 when we found ourselves corresponding on Virtual Tourist. We have been dear friends and Paris travel buddies ever since. I found this photo from our last, but NOT OUR LAST, trip to Paris.. janvier 2011.  I love you Mar and here's to many more rendezvous à Paris!

Bises,

V

Mad About Paris...

that's us! Mary and I met after my first trip to Paris in 2007 on Virtual Tourist.com. Her name was Mad About Paris and mine was Paris Mumsie. It didn't take us long to connect and swap real emails. Mary lives in Cincinnati and has more trips under her belt than I, but in the meantime my "internet friend" and I have hooked up in Birmingham and Cincinnati once and in Paris 3 times now. This trip she was able to share the apartment with me for four days and we had a ball. She's got this internal compass that I was not born with and can navigate Paris like a pro and walk my legs off. I just tag along and smile. Here we are sharing one of many glasses at Place des Vosges. Miss you Mar. When's the next trip??

Travel Update!

Thank you all for your good wishes for my safe trip home. It was safe but......delayed! I had a flight cancelled in Newark and had to be rerouted to Charlotte where I missed my connection and spent the night there. I arrived in B'ham at 10:15 this morning. It's nice to be home but I do miss Paris, but you knew that!

Trois Amies

Today a look at Mary, Genie and Marie enjoying a quiet moment at the fountain in Tuileries on Friday evening. And yes, I got to prop my feet up and enjoy the view of le Louvre as well!

Mad About Paris

Joyeux anniversaire mon amie Mary. She and I have been friends since we met on Virtual Tourist ( she was Mad About Paris and I was Paris Mumsie!) three years ago. We share a love of Paris and all things French and so much more. So far we've been together in Paris twice and we're planning another in the very near future. This photo was taken from the apartment window last summer. Mary was looking for a rainbow over the Val de Grace. Here's to many more rainbows in Paris mon chère amie!
xx

Virg

Merci to my dear blog reader and fellow Francophile, Genie who sent this along for you first timers to Paris. Some greta tips!! 10 Things NOT To Do In Paris