We've officially been on our honeymoon for a week, and I can honestly say that it has not gone by fast. There's a different feel to Paris this time around. We aren't rushing from museum to museum and monument to monument. We've been enjoying the city itself in every facet of its neighborhoods. Today was a late start, but it was a day without an agenda, and if you ever have the chance - it's a great way to enjoy Paris. First off, though, we were in need of some clean clothes, so we dropped some of our stuff at a laundromat down the street. At first, the woman wanted to have it done tomorrow, and I took out my google translate and told her we needed it by tonight. We're leaving for Brussels for a day trip tomorrow and we need clean underwear!

After a stop at our neighborhood patisserie, we took our lattes to go and sat  again in the little square near our hotel. It was the first time I noticed the mermaid sculpture in the fountain who had water spewing from somewhere that The Little Mermaid would never do and would never be allowed in the states to be on display! God, I love Europe.

From buying a lot of shoes to facial products and walking close to 18,000 steps, the day was perfection. And, stopping for happy hour instead of an afternoon coffee was a nice change. We've come to the conclusion that the 4th arrondissement is our favorite area of the city. It's far enough away from the tourists attractions and its side streets are beyond charming.

After picking up our laundry, we put on our new sneakers and headed to the 4th to a Thai restaurant that was a nice change from the rich French and Italian specialties we've been eating. And, what's a night out without more wine and a dessert? The light from the day, again, has disappeared at 10:30 (I will miss this part of Paris most of all), and of course, John is hungry again, so he's eating the snacks we brought from home. I don't know how he does it, but his appetite will never cease to amaze me. Over the wine, I thought how wonderful it is here, how the French just enjoy their lives. It's all about living life here. Without a doubt, they work, but it's the social aspect that you can tell is what drives them. I think that's what makes me love Paris as much as I do. This is life, this is living. It's not the job that makes you happy, it is what that job allows you to do. And, if you can find someone to enjoy it with then that makes it all the more special.

Surrounded by the sounds of the city - the diners still on the sidewalk, the clinking of their glasses, the sound of plates being collected, I took a moment to breath it all and reached for John's hand over our wine and creme brûlée.

"This is a far cry from Streetbar," I said to him, recalling the bar we first went to in Palm Springs. "I am still in awe, I suppose."

He just looked at me as if I were crazy, as if he knew all along this was the direction we were going. Tomorrow, we head to Brussels for the day to see an old friend. It will be an emotional day for me. I've known my friend Serge since 1998.  He met my mom when she was here with me and now he's meeting my husband. Alhough we've seen each other only five times in those years, we pick up as if it were yesterday. That's the best kind of friendship, and he's been along for the ride that has been my life since I was 32. I wish more of the people in my life had come along for this ride, but I am grateful for Serge and the ones like him who have stayed on the train with me.

Without an agenda, we just soaked in the city. Like any big city, all its flaws are there if you look for them. But, why look for the cracks when there is so much joy to be experienced. Paris is always a good idea. And Paris without an agenda is an even better one.