It's looking back to days like these that have me thinking, get me back to Europe. Memories like this one have me saving every penny and pay check with a plane flight in the back of my mind.
Why am I so infatuated with the European mindset and easy-goes-it mentality? Maybe it is because of my own cultural bias. You love what you don't have. Maybe it's because I was lucky enough to spend 6 months studying, exploring and adventuring around Europe. Maybe it's because I recently arrived back to the US at the start of 2017, when our newly elected President was just stepping into office and stirring up the melting pot that is my home country.
Not sure what it is, but regardless of the reasoning I know I have never felt both like an extreme outsider but very at home in my entire life. This day was symbolic of my time living in Paris. I was still a tourist and of course I was going to do whatever it takes in my last weekend here to take full advantage of all the tourist spots just a few miles from my apartment. Our final tick off of our December bucket list was to ice skate at the exquisite Grand Palais.
This day was one of the last full days we had in beautiful Paris. It was December 16th of 2016, the sun was finally coming out, so we bundled up in our warmest coats and scarves and headed out to the Grand Palais.
As we pulled off the ice for a moment to grab a snack and Irish coffee from the bar, we took a moment to take in where we were. We were spending the day inside one of the famous and most renown pieces of architecture in history, which had been transformed into a glamorous, glittering ice-rink for the holidays. We were skating where some of the most iconic artists of all time have showcased their work. We were prancing and skating around where photography legends, everyone from Richard Avedon to Andy Warhol, have shot. The room where Chanel holds annual Paris Fashion Week shows, and where the Victorias Secret Fashion Show had been held the week prior.
The rink opened December 14th and ran through the holidays and new year, until January 2nd. It was 15 euro for a day ticket, and 20 euro if you go in the evening. At night, the palace turns into a ice-rink dance party, with flashing lights, DJ's and a bar.
The set up was honestly extremely impressive, with 2 bars, waiting areas and seating all facing into the rink. Companies set up booths to promote new products around the perimeter, for example Samsung was there when we went, promoting 3 virtual reality trial booths, decked out with free VR goggles, and free trials of virtual reality electronic chairs for anyone willing to test it out. They even had vending machines for hand mittens in all colors and sizes.
America, take notes!
P.S. Still very excited that I got the opportunity to lend footage and collaborate with Business Insider's INSIDER on a day skating in the Grand Palais. Catch the full video here.
