For the past two weeks, dense grey clouds, drizzling pinpricks of icy rain, and heavy fog have blanketed the city. During the Parisian winter, stubborn clouds take hold of the sky until late spring. But once in awhile, they so graciously let the sun peek out to say hello. Fortunately, la grisaille hasn’t interrupted my honeymoon stage love for Paris just yet. Instead, I find it a welcome excuse to enjoy cozy nights in with Yelena, curled up in blanket cocoons and fuzzy socks, discussing anything and everything. Since our common language is French, our conversations are always peppered with Russian/French/English translations, but I wouldn't have it any other way :) Plus, now I'm picking up some Russian!

 


To combat the winter blues, the other day I took a walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg. The trees were bare and shivering in the wind, and it felt like I had the entire place all to myself. There were just a few brave runners bundled up in their thickest winter gear, and a handful of kids with pink cheeks, blissfully whizzing around on their scooters, oblivious to the nipping cold and rain.

While the Jardin du Luxembourg is, of course, more vibrant and blooming in the spring and summer, there’s a much needed dose of sweet serenity that you can only breathe in during the winter. Before my fingers and toes threatened to freeze off for good this time, I sat in one of my favorite spots in the world -- hidden along the Fontaine Médicis, watching the ducks peacefully glide by, stopping every so often to nuzzle the water. Oh to be a duck in Paris, swimming in the Jardin du Luxembourg all day, without a care in the world…