The Christmas Market at Champs Elysees, Paris- A memorable moment in time from my Travel Dream Trail

"Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” said  Ibn Battuta and I couldn't agree with him more!

The joy of travel is something that was inculcated deep into my soul by my parents who used every opportunity and vacation time that my brother and myself had to travel. With them, we learnt to see, taste and experience the wonders of travel and in return we were rewarded  by a certain knowledge of our country and the world that far surpassed that which could be gained from regular books. 

Did we enjoy it? A definite yes! Those growing years left me with a deep seated conviction in the wonders of travel and soon after my marriage we moved to Oman where we then stayed on for over two decades, this passion for travel was only intensified as we used all opportunities that we could to travel ..and then some!

In fact, my very first book 'A Safe Harbour' was based in Oman as well as India and I was highly gratified when it received some very good reviews. My second book, 'Point of No Return' was set in Istanbul, Turkey after I'd visited it and realised that it made a fantastic setting for a crime thriller. And finally, my third book 'An Autumn Melody' was set in UK and India - another country that I've visited and grown to love over the years.

Art, culture, food and music - for me they are all very important, and since I'm an avid photographer as well, I try to capture all these moments and turn them into memories by clicking photographs and sharing them with the world.

And now, like Ibn Batuta, I'm going to turn into the proverbial storyteller and delve into my store of memorable experiences and share one such delightful  experience with all of you. 

     I succumbed and this sweet little elf is making my packet of Churros 

A  couple of years ago I was in Paris in late November and to my delight I learnt that the famed annual Christmas Market at the Champs Elysees was already up and running.

Without further ado, I decided  to make my way there and check it out.It was a cold, crisp and beautiful evening and the overall atmosphere was one of joie de vivre and good cheer. People of all nationalities mingled with each other and delightful and tempting fragrances floated from every corner possible.

If I was to choose one word to describe my feelings as soon as I got there, would be' Fabulous"! 

It was everything that I'd ever imagined a Christmas fair to be and then some!

The Champs Elysees was transformed into a 'winter wonderland' of sheer holiday fun and gaiety with twinkling Christmas lights, rows and rows of little wooden chalets selling a delightful array of  foods, sweets and all kinds of gifts. It even had a little amusement park with roller coaster and rides for kids. This Christmas Market is set up along both sides of the Champs-Elysées between Rond Point and the Place de la Concorde, but the atmosphere is festive all along the Champs-Elysées right up to the Arc de Triomphe.

The heady fragrance of of mulled wine, coffee, roasting chestnuts, crepes,  Shwarmas, hot dogs, burgers, cheese and anything else that you could possibly imagine hung in the air and it was that which proved to be my undoing. 

First it was the Churros that I  just had to eat, followed by a whole bar of real country made French chocolate. 

                    Christmas is in the air

Champs Elysees, the superb location 

                                       Spoilt for choice

Something to make all the kids happy

What I found particularly fascinating was how men and women come here from all over Europe  and set up their stalls. It was truly a representation of the very best that Europe could serve up on a plate! Must add here that it wasn't only food and drink that was being lapped up by all who were there, the array of Christmas gifts for friends and family was mind boggling as well.

Scarves, small homemade items, soap, cheese, bread, cookies, trinkets-I could go on and on and my list would probably remain incomplete. Sounds cliched, I know, but this is exactly where the term, 'spoilt for choice' is probably what comes closest to what everyone present was thinking. All I could see was people shopping, then taking a break to eat, then getting on with it ..

All over again!

The afternoon passed and evening dawned, I was still there and about 5 hours later, made my way back home, happy and content with the spirit of Christmas having warmed the cockles of my heart and staying right there....

Was I satisfied with just one visit? The answer predictably is 'No'. A few days later I was back there and this time, I had the advantage of knowing exactly what I wanted to check out. 

That particular trip to France also gave me the opportunity to check out some of the finest museums for art and culture in addition to the Louvre where the world famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci is placed. Thousands and thousands of people file past those beautiful places everyday and I can say with confidence that all of them go back to their own countries enriched by all the beautiful and memorable places that that they have been privileged to see.

Another quick memory of a delightful cafe in Paris  -A short walk brought us  to this very warm and welcoming scene, a Cafe restaurant la bucherie,  where a friendly waitress took our orders , promising to be very quick to serve.  

I loved the Menu

This little cafe was also the place where I saw the largest cocktail  I'd ever seen in my life and was just beginning to wonder if anyone ever drank something like this, when the guests at two adjoining tables placed orders for one each.Needless to say, two people shared one, but I am still surprised!

The Giant cocktail, a specialty of the house

                 My dinner,  a Croque-monsieur

I'd placed an order for a 'Croque monsieur', and was delighted when it was served !( the name is based on the verb croquer and the word monsieur)

 a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. It originated in French cafés and bars as a quick snack. Typically, Emmental or Gruyère cheese is used. Delightful delicious and very memorable

That was certainly one of the best meals I've  ever eaten! 

For me, travel is something which I treasure and enjoy totally. Whether it be a solo trip or one with my family, each of these is special in its own way and the rewards- manifold.

To close, all I'd like to say, " Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer"

“I am blogging about my dreams and passions for the Club Mahindra#DreamTrails activity at BlogAdda. You can get a Club Mahindra Membership to own your holidays!”