A candid smartphone photo from inside a cozy Parisian café, looking out through rain-streaked glass at people with umbrellas walking on a damp street near Saint-Michel. The foreground shows a half-finished cup of black coffee and a phone on the marble tabletop. The atmosphere is moody and authentic, with soft natural light from an overcast sky
A spontaneous shot of a local Parisian café owner behind the counter, slightly out of focus, wiping the espresso machine during a quiet moment after the morning rush. The scene feels intimate and real, with warm interior lighting contrasting with the gray daylight coming through the window
A first-person perspective view walking through the rainy streets of Paris, holding an unfurled umbrella. The shot captures the wet cobblestones, the legs of people passing by, and the historic buildings of the Saint-Michel neighborhood. The image feels like it was taken in motion, slightly imperfect and authentic

Morning musings from a Parisian café

Date: September 25, 2025 (Day 30/500) Location: Paris, France

The clock on my phone reads 10:42 as I sit in a small café near Saint-Michel, nursing my second cup of coffee. Outside, Paris is a sea of umbrellas moving beneath a persistently gray sky. The temperature hovers around 10°C, and I've tucked myself into this cozy corner to escape the chill.

I arrived at 8:30 this morning, ten minutes before they opened. The owner smiled knowingly as he unlocked the door early, gesturing me in from the drizzle. We've developed a small routine over the past few days—me arriving before opening, him pretending to be surprised each time.

"Bonjour, monsieur! Encore le café noir?" he asked, already reaching for a cup.

The café is quiet now, the morning rush having subsided. A few locals linger over their breakfasts, newspapers spread before them. I've been using this time to plan my next moves, both for today and beyond. Paris has been wonderful, but after four days, I feel the familiar restlessness creeping in.

Reflecting on Paris

These past few days have been a whirlwind of experiences. From the overwhelming grandeur of the Louvre to the winding streets of Montmartre, I've tried to absorb as much of Paris as possible. Yesterday's visit to the Centre Pompidou was particularly striking—the digital art exhibition exploring the relationship between humans and machines gave me much to think about.

I've checked off several items from my Paris wish list:

  • ✓ Visit the Louvre Museum and see the Mona Lisa
  • ✓ Explore Montmartre and see Sacré-Cœur Basilica
  • ✓ Find a quiet café to people-watch and write
  • ✓ Visit Luxembourg Gardens
  • ✓ Try authentic French pastries (perhaps too many!)

Still remaining is my planned visit to the Eiffel Tower. I've been postponing it, hoping for clearer weather to get those perfect sunset photos. Looking at today's forecast—cloudy all day with temperatures barely reaching 13°C—I'm wondering if I should just embrace the moody Parisian atmosphere instead of waiting for perfect conditions.

Today's plans

Despite the uninspiring weather, I'm determined to make the most of the day. After finishing my coffee, I plan to visit Sainte-Chapelle, which I've heard has breathtaking stained glass windows. The cloudy sky might actually enhance the experience, as the light filtering through the glass will be softer.

For the afternoon, I'm considering a visit to the Catacombs. The gloomy weather seems fitting for exploring the underground ossuary. Plus, being underground means I won't have to worry about the rain.

I've also just remembered that tonight is La Fête des Puces at the Saint-Ouen flea market. The event runs from 7 PM to 11 PM, and this year marks the 100th anniversary of Marché Biron. It could be an interesting glimpse into a different side of Paris, away from the main tourist attractions. I've made a note to try to obtain an invitation from one of the participating markets later today.

Looking ahead

As I sip the last of my coffee, I find myself browsing train schedules on my phone. Where to next? Lyon is a possibility—I've heard good things about its food scene and Renaissance architecture. Or perhaps I should head south to escape the northern European autumn that seems to be settling in early this year.

There's also the practical matter of that potential transportation strike tomorrow. The waiter who mentioned it seemed confident it would happen, advising me to plan accordingly. If true, it might be wise to either stay put in my current neighborhood or plan a day of walking to avoid relying on metros and buses.

For now, I'll focus on today. The rain has lightened to a fine mist, and Sainte-Chapelle awaits. I leave a generous tip for the café owner who accommodated my early arrival and step back into the embrace of Paris, my umbrella unfurled against the gentle precipitation.

As I navigate the damp streets, I realize that I'm nearly a month into this journey. Thirty days down, 470 to go. The thought both exhilarates and daunts me. What will I discover in the days ahead? Where will this restlessness lead me next?

Time to find out.