Day 8 – Saturday
Total cost: €686 ($749.20)
On our last day in Paris, my girlfriend and I decided to go shopping. First, I went to a French pharmacy to buy toothpaste and gifts for my family. The total price for Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum, a French toothpaste, and La Roche Posay sunscreen was €189.56 ($206.82), but after the VAT Refund It was €166.85 ($182.05).
I had a free breakfast at my hostel and stopped for an iced coffee (€5.15, or $5.62), which is rare in Paris. Despite the hype on TikTok about Parisian flea markets, we inadvertently went to a few that focused on selling practical items, like housewares, rather than vintage clothing or designer jewelry. My friend found some vintage Yves Saint Laurent cufflinks, which I ended up buying after negotiating a €5 discount (they ended up costing me €40, or $43.68).
We then visited iconic Paris department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, and also stopped for a crepe ($6.07). Jellycat Pastrywhich offered cute stuffed animals like macarons, madeleines and éclairs. I found a few for my brother, a big fan of the Jellycat series, for €49.88 ($54.42).
My girlfriend and I split up and I ran to the Officine Universelle Buly 1803 in the hope of buying an engraved brush for my grandmother, but in vain because the queue was too long and the engraving would have taken a day. Unfortunately, I had a Flixbus to catch to London!
Demoralized, I got off at République station, which, as I later learned, was the home of France's fashionistas. I ran toward Elevatora small boutique that sells iconic designers and emerging brands that are making waves on the fashion scene. I bought a Paloma wool top for €84 ($91.79), which was a significant discount.
I stumbled upon a pop-up shop selling vintage clothing by Asian fashion and jewelry designers, and called my friend to join me. I found a vintage Christian Dior tank top that fit me perfectly for €98 (I negotiated down to €90, or $98.13), and a vintage Diesel baby tee for €27 ($29.44).
We walked a bit to find a restaurant and came across Kubri, a Lebanese restaurant in Paris. Every dish was divine, from the hispi cabbage to the roast chicken. My meal cost me €31.50 ($34.37) and was worth every penny.
My girlfriend and I tried to catch our midnight Flixbus by taking a Bolt from the restaurant back to our respective hostels and then to Paris Saint Denis Université station, which cost us €60.91 ($66.52). We of course missed our ride and had to rebook a bus for €112.49 ($122.86). As soon as we left Paris, I considered my Olympic trip over and stopped counting expenses, but unfortunately the return trip was not without its problems. Our nine-hour bus ride was eventful, with ferry rides, sudden passport checks, and many passengers with persistent coughs. By the time we finally arrived in London, I was exhausted and feeling a little sick. I had planned to fly home from London, but my Delta flight was cancelled at the last minute, and as of August 7, I am still trying to figure out how to get home. But despite all the incidents that happened during this trip, I know that these memories will remain engraved in me forever.
How it all fell apart
Initial and travel costs: $2,390.36
Weekly costs: $1,745.41
Final total: $4,128.27
How much I spent compared to my initial budget: $371.73 under budget
