Souvenirs

I haven't posted in ages.  I have a dozen stories of wonderful things I've eaten saved up, but I've been too busy collecting memories to write them up.

Now that my stay is drawing to a close and my homesickness becomes overwhelming, I've found myself consumed by a need to bring things back to Chicago, both for myself and as gifts for the people I miss.  Not models of la Tour Eiffel or I <3 Paris scarves, but things that are really, truly, innately Parisian.  I have fallen victim to the cult of can't get it at home.

But today, as I made runs to the Maille boutique for unpasteurized mustard and to G. Detou for lentilles du Puy,creme de marrons d'Aubenas, and piment d'Espelette, I realized why I am buying things I've never tried before and have no idea if I'll like.  I want to bring Paris back, and this whole experience of exploring and discovering in the city I dreamed of visiting when I was a little girl.  I'm just as sad to be leaving as I am happy to go home.

But all the chocolate, wine, and Bordier butter in the world won't be the same as being here.  I'm already plotting and scheming to come back.