Morning in Paris

I love to travel for business. There is something totally gratifying about putting every single expense of a trip on a credit card for which you will never see the bill. When I’m on a business trip, I will happily take the taxi ride instead of schlepping it on public transportation. I always get to stay in a decent hotel because I am usually picking lodging based on a client’s location or a conference.

Work travel is great and I’m not afraid to admit it.

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The big downside to business travel, of course, is that I have to work. And usually, I work a LOT because something big has necessitated the travel to begin with. Last week I went to a conference in Paris where I literally sat in a (basement) conference room for twelve straight hours. Brutal. There are frequent breaks during this type of event, fueled with tiny sandwiches and gallons of (admittedly delicious) coffee, but still. I feel like I need a T-shirt that says, ‘I went to a basement in Paris and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.’

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Given the demands of business travel, I certainly never have time to see a museum or two. Instead, I wake before dawn and use the wee morning hours to explore. Last week we were fifteen minutes from the Arc de Triomphe, and there’s nothing quite like being the only person around, gaping at the enormous Arc, hours before the crowds and traffic descend.

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Another morning, I stumbled across the Parc Monceau, a mere block from my hotel. It has beautiful gates and I thought it was an embassy, but upon entering, I realized that I was in one of the only real live parks in Paris.

Early morning joggers ran laps and I took pictures of flowers.

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(By the way, early morning runs are another fantastic way to see a new city, and I highly recommend it. Last week I was horribly sick, so I decided to take it easy and walk instead. A co-worker of mine who is training for an ultra marathon ran 12-15k both mornings and saw the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. And still made it to the basement for an 8am start!)

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Do you like to travel for business? Or is it a necessary evil? Share your thoughts below!

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  • April 27, 2015

    Beautiful photos, Julie! And what a gift to have had Paris all to yourself for a brief moment of time. You’ve inspired me to pack my alarm clock next time I visit a new city πŸ™‚

    • April 27, 2015
      Julie

      Thanks Hannah! You’re like the bug in my ear reminding me to look for the horizon πŸ™‚

      • April 28, 2015

        Haha, that makes me happy to hear! I’m like the annoying Jiminy Cricket of the design world πŸ˜‰

  • April 27, 2015

    Business travel is the one thing I miss the most about work, treating yourself to things you would never spend your own money on is lovely!
    And now I’m inspired to get up early next time I’m in Paris. Beautiful photos.
    Emma recently posted…Book Review: The One-Page Financial Plan – A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your MoneyMy Profile

    • April 27, 2015
      Julie

      I’m sure you already get up plenty early with your little one, but if you can escape for a bit, it’s totally worth it. Could Paris be more beautiful without the people in it? I think so…

  • April 28, 2015

    Your photos are gorgeous! Good for you for getting up early to absorb as much of the city as you could before getting back to work :-). And if you can combing exercise (i.e., a run or walk) with sightseeing, so much the better…
    Sand In My Suitcase recently posted…Getting our spring flower fix at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical GardenMy Profile

    • April 28, 2015
      Julie

      I am a big fan of the morning run in a new city. I think I’m Type A in my need to get oriented quickly. With the Arc as a guidepost, it’s tough to get lost in this area of Paris! Cheers!

  • April 28, 2015

    Amazing photos Julie! You have a great eye for beautiful details!
    Stef recently posted…My favorite Paulo Coelho QuotesMy Profile

    • April 28, 2015
      Julie

      Thanks Stef! Paris doesn’t need much help to be beautiful. It’s one of my fave cities ever … even if I was stuck in a basement πŸ™‚

  • May 2, 2015

    Stunning photos! I can’t even imagine what it must be like to walk around in Paris, this early in the morning, and to have the city to yourself. Still a student, so I don’t have any experience with business trips, but I believe that I would, just like you, try to make it work and see as much of a city as possible.

    • May 2, 2015
      Julie

      Thanks for the note. Yes, walking around any city in the morning gives such a unique perspective. When I’m traveling with others, I find it harder to get out (or maybe we’ve been out too late the night before), but when I have a meeting at 8am or something, it’s much easier!

  • May 23, 2015

    A beautiful way to explore the city. Early mornings are the best! I love piece and quiet to explore in. I love how you have some great photos looking up. I always tell people to look up when exploring a city, you never know what you might see
    Rachel LadyM recently posted…Top three new gadgets for the homeMy Profile

    • May 23, 2015
      Julie

      Thanks! I love the looking up photos too (especially b/c some of my lenses really don’t allow for anything else). In fact, I kinda have to limit the looking up shots or else the site will be flooded with them! Cheers πŸ™‚