subject: Business trip turns into weekend of a lifetime! [print this page] Business trip turns into weekend of a lifetime!
Last month, my boyfriend Jamie was told he had to meet a new client in Paris on a Friday morning. The meeting involved a presentation so Jamie was spending the night on Thursday to prepare. His company was putting him up near the client's office at the Hotel La Defense, less than ten minutes from the centre of Paris.
When he told me, he must have seen how envious I was because the next day I was treated to a surprise at breakfast. I found a Eurostar ticket on the kitchen table and a note from my wonderful, generous boyfriend that read: Morning Sunshine. Come to Paris tomorrow and join me for a weekend of French food and red wine. See you at the Hilton at 6pm.'
I know. I'm a very lucky girl. The thing is, despite having grown up in England with Paris only a few hours away, I have never been. It was high time I spent some time in the French capital visiting all the sights I've been starting at on my screensaver for so long.
On Friday evening, we strolled along the Champs Elysses and did some night-time window shopping. We found a little restaurant with the kind of ambiance I have always imagined I would find in Paris. The dinner was exactly what I wanted; lamb cooked to perfection with a rich sauce and sauted vegetables.
Saturday was tourist day! I know it's clich but I couldn't have been happier. Finally going up the Eiffel Tower, walking along the River Seine and standing, amazed, in front of Notre Dame... This was what I had always dreamed Paris would be like. I couldn't stop myself from squeezing Jamie's hand every five minutes and grinning from ear to ear.
On Sunday, we checked out of the hotel Paris La Defense and Jamie showed me around the business district before we caught the train to London. From the look on my face, he knew we were going to have to come back to Paris soon!
