Month: September 2020

For our next adventure, we’re going to Paris! I know it’s a very touristy area, but the Eiffel Tower is not the only thing in Paris. It’s a beautiful city… that’s why there’s so much hype!

Obviously, if you’re visiting Paris, taking part in the touristy activities is a must. The views from Eiffel Tower are awfully scenic, and you can actually climb the stairs up — don’t worry, only 704 of them — and eat dinner at a restaurant, on the second level of the tower. If you choose not to eat up there, I would highly suggest a trip up just for the views!

Another touristy must is walking along Le Seine and shopping aux Champs-Élysées. Le Seine is a 485 mile long river that flows through the heart of Paris. It’s surrounded by cafés and restaurants, Notre Dame (which is being rebuilt soon), and the Eiffel Tower; it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

Can’t forget about Le Champs-Élysées. Comparable to NYC’s time square, this street is always lively. From live music, to amazing restaurants, and high-end designer stores, you’ll never be bored. This avenue runs from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe — truly a grand avenue.

When in Paris, you can’t not get chocolate! My favorite place was this little shop off of the Champs-Élysées, called Jeff de Bruges. With a wide assortment of chocolates, they even doubled as an ice cream parlor! As you would expect, the line went down the street almost every night. For breakfast, I enjoyed a croissant sandwich almost everyday I was there. Filled with fresh mozzarella and basil, tomatoes, bacon, and a creamy sauce, I almost wish I was there getting one right now!

Saving the best for last, anyone who visits Paris must see the Chateau de
Versailles (the Palace of Versailles). I know I said Paris is beautiful, but this palace is just drop-dead gorgeous. About a 35 minute trip outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles sits on a large estate. The gardens alone, take up about 1,977 acres of land.

Walking through the gardens, you’ll probably run into smaller villas (trianons). Yes, there’s more paths carved behind the trees + bushes; there’s tiny mansions that extend throughout the estate.

Exploring on a hot summer day calls for some fresh-squeezed orange juice. Luckily, they have little stalls set up throughout the garden selling exactly that! Aside from the beautiful garden, the orange juice was the next best thing:)

According to me, all of these are musts, (haha) but thank you for exploring with me! You’ve now spent ~a day in the life~ in Paris, France:)

Today, we’re gonna be traveling across the world to Mumbai, India. Both of my parents are from Mumbai, and as a result, we visit almost every other year.

For those who have never been, Mumbai is India’s New York City. Just like NYC, driving can be a real hassle in Mumbai. Nobody follows the lanes that are painted on the roads. Instead, they just scatter wherever they please. However, driving in India does scare me more than NYC. Aside from being oblivious to the clear lanes that should exist, nobody really cares to stop at a red light either. Most people will run a red light likes it’s second nature.

Obviously, those who grew up driving there are perfectly comfortable and know how to maneuver their car.

I, for one, will never drive there.

My absolute favorite place to visit when in Mumbai, is Marine Drive. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a long road along the coast, where you can drive. Watching the sun go down along the horizon here is amazing, but when the lights come on and you can see the skyline, the view is breathtakinggg!!!

It’s about a 40 minute drive from where my family lives, but even the drive is enjoyable. We usually take the Bandra-Worli Sea Link — a relatively new bridge that connects Bandra (Suburbs of Mumbai) and Worli (South Mumbai).

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m a sucker for oceanic views. A couple years ago, I was in Mumbai during the monsoon season. I decided I wanted to experience “Mumbai’s rain” the old-fashioned way — the way locals do it.

My sister and I figured out that high-tide would be around midnight, and naturally, we were ready for an adventure. We got to Marine Drive, only to
witness the waves crashing over the wall… they were more than 6 meters tall.

We spent the next 2 hours running under the crashing waves, getting drenched in the middle of the night. Those are the kind of nights I live for.

Aside from going to Marine Drive every-other-night, I love shopping in Lokhandwala Market (Low-khund-vul-a Market), getting coconut water from street vendors, and stopping for some pani-puri.

Lokhandwala Market is a shopping area that is almost always crowded. Here, you will mostly find street vendors, small boutiques for ethnic clothing, and a very lively ambiance.

On a hot, humid day, coconut water and some pani-puri is my go to. The coconut is cut so that you can drink right out of it and toss it when you’re done. Pani-puri is an Indian snack, both spicy and tangy. It’s another street snack that is essential when visiting.

I hope my adventures inspire you to go out and explore new cultures! You’ve now spent ~a day in the life~ with me in Mumbai, India!