Opera Garnier

It’s the one, the famous phantom of the Opera building, sitting in the midst of Printemps and Galaries Laffayette (department stores). We stayed nearby in high school and I remember longing to dress up for a ballet and stand on the front steps of the Opera Garnier.

Well, fast forward to today and I’m sitting in the back entrance waiting for student rush tickets to the ballet. The Opera is only a ten minute walk from work, so I happily go sit outside on show days and wait for student rush tickets (10 Euros). It was my second time waiting- I was NEXT the time before- in my black, three dot dress with my lucky pearl earrings on. I could feel it this time, I was going to the ballet.

Student rush isn’t allowed to enter until after the last person sits, so the doors closed with everyone inside except 12 of us (I was 3rd.). The usher calls the first 2 over, they get tickets. I’m next! I’m next!! I’m called over! I’m handed a ticket! I’m rushed inside! Lead up the stairs! OMG! I’m inside!
The ballet was Hommage a Jerome Robbins, 4 dances from Jerome Robbin’s most well known ballets. Each quarter was about 20-30 minutes and I was seated in the upper balcony after the first dance. They were beautiful! Everything- the ballerinas, the Opera, the lobby, the chairs, the bathrooms- everything. It was magical, perfect, my moment in a Parisian movie!
Oh, go right now! Go to Paris and see a ballet. And eat an Opera pastry- just because!