When traveling to Paris, try to find a flight that lands in the morning, the earlier the better. If you’re not sleepy, you can watch the city get brighter and unfold through the window. The building facades become increasingly Haussman and the streets start to bustle, populating with chic outfits and people who so clearly have places to be. However, if you happen to be exhausted from travel, you can still take a fat nap in the car or train. There will be an equally transformative series of events when you open your eyes, but it’ll hit you all at once; the sights of Paris will slap you awake in the best way possible. That’s how it happened for me this time around–I fell into a deep slumber in the Uber–but I promise both options are magical! Whilst observing, you know deep down it’s just another normal day for the restauranteurs and bakers, but it really feels as though they are opening up shop for your arrival, like they knew you were coming.

As I daydreamed about the beloved croissants to come from the backseat, I was simultaneously dreading the drop-off, because I knew I had a carry-on roller, a duffel, and a severely overweight suitcase (20 pounds past the limit for which I paid a hefty fee) to haul up 6 flights of stairs. My body already ached from moving everything out of my Brooklyn apartment the day before–my palms were ready to tear open–plus the 7 hours of rotting in my airplane seat. Eventually, my Uber stopped in front of a rather plain-looking apartment building with a “22” embedded in that iconic dark blue tile that studs each building. Anticipating the labor of luggage to come, I took a minute outside the entrance. I saw all places I had seen on the map when checking the location from New York. The dumpling place, the tea shop, making the connections from what I’d only seen in 2D was like connect the dots or coloring books as a little kid. After getting the small suitcase and duffel up first, I took in the details of the apartment that I had only seen a blurry video of, and let myself rest. I seriously considered leaving the large suitcase downstairs, and wondered if anyone would notice if it just sat there for a few days, until my body healed a bit. I decided against that, and I somehow gathered the energy to go back downstairs. I grabbed my suitcase by the handles, and began the journey up. By the fourth floor, I was quite literally dragging up step by step what felt like a jumbo block of cement. But eventually, I made it. I threw the bed sheets in the washer, changed my shoes to sneakers (did I mention I was wearing my heaviest heeled boots), and skipped with glee to Poilâne, a neighborhood bakery. It’s actually quite famous, and to think it was one of the closest options! I went for the classic croissant, almost out of obligation. I took a seat by the window to get ready for what is truly a sacred ritual to me: the first bite. It was a dramatic moment, but I can’t even lie, it wasn’t the best croissant. The taste was buttery enough, but I found the texture to be a bit dry, leaving me ever so slightly dissatisfied. I wasn’t too bothered, though, as I knew just how easily there could appear another delicious croissant in the near future. My next mission was coffee and WiFi, which I had no problem finding within a few steps’ distance. There was a cafe inside the Hotel Sookie, where I planned my next moves. I went to Free Mobile to get an eSIM, and stopped by Monoprix to pick up some essentials I needed for the apartment like creme fraiche and salted butter for bread dipping. The underdog purchase of the day was, without question, a tub of greek yogurt from Hotos. Thick like cream cheese yet smooth with a milky tart taste, better than Fage! I also got an umbrella, as it had started to rain. I really bring the heavy rains with me everywhere I go. If it happens in LA, I’m genuinely upset and become extremely salty. Even in New York, I complain and you likely won’t catch me outside. But if it’s Paris, I don’t mind.

Phew, what a busy and productive first day, if I do say so myself. And that's why I recommend arriving in the morning!