TODAY
Well I ended up at a super crummy hotel on the airport property. Catherine sent me a link and I booked it. I was very disappointed when I got here as I had visions of a soft bed, an English channel or a movie, and maybe even room service. Where is the Sheraton?
I got over myself as quickly as I could. Got a pop, chips, usa today, my camera and went to chill on the grass in the parking lot. Once I saw all the planes start to take off, I decided I would try and fill a frame with a plane. It is not as easy as you might think. I have no viewfinder, by the time you pull it in and try to focus, they are out of frame. I decided to do it until I got a good one..so take a look.. MADE me laugh out loud to myself cause there I was, as usual, making something good of a crummy situation.
I was out last night late and up early so I am tired. Have lots of emails to work on, business to do, reorganize my too heavy of bags, shower, grab a bite and go to bed. I have an 18 hour travel day tomorrow. The comforts of home are going to feel extra special.
I am ready to come home but so happy with my time in Paris. I have absolutely no regrets and did everything a girl could have wanted. I am more experienced now and will fall into it more easily the next time. A now seasoned Parisian, I can go out anywhere alone at night and get home on the metro. I can eat alone and enjoy it. I can say no to boys, even when I feel lonely and want some comfort. I can do just about anything I set my mind to. Even when I am afraid, I can overcome the fear or anxiety. When I am sad or scared or full of anxiety, I can talk myself out of it. I do not feel needy or wanting or longing for something to fulfill me. I feel pretty complete all unto myself. I am a pretty smart girl, still pretty cute, it’s the smile & the eyes, and people like me cause I put myself out there and bring energy to everything.
Can’t wait to see everyone and get/give lovies…
Old news
Friday night
After more than 8 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling better yesterday and slightly energized. I basically packed up my apt., did some errands and watched a movie.
Rue de Houchette is a little street off St.Michel and St Germain, and I had seen last week that it was full of clubs.
Lovely dinner at Place de Pont, front row view of the Friday night frolickers. Enjoyed an aperitif, followed by dinner, wine and coffee. Strolled afterwards and wandered in and out of a few places. I went to Cavette de Houchette, where the 7 piece jazz group played downstairs in a cave..they say it was once a prison. Great group, but the dancers are awe inspiring, I think it is the old fashion swing vs lindy which has those crazy moves. Got myself a glass of champagne and found the last seat to be had. I chilled good and even let myself go enough to bop along.
The crazy French boys were out in force last night. I enjoyed the attention but am starting to understand the culture and. I now do not get caught up in the, oh you are charming, or you have beautiful eyes, or any of the lines they give. I don’t go out on my own at home, so really do not have a lot of experience with the nighttime pairing dance.
I was the flame and the moths were flitting about last night. I am definitely in a different place these days as that does not interest me. I am my most proud of myself for getting out tonight, going to the clubs on my own, feeling content with myself, enjoying it all without someone by my side, fighting off the boys and getting home alone at 1:30 am..
I was on my way to Bassin de Villette today as I knew there was a fete going on. Happily got a txt from Guy asking what I was up to and telling me he was working there. So off I went and after finally finding him, I got a very long, very wet, very fun ride on the police boat with lights and speed and everything…too fun..
Started to rain on the way home. Not sure if I am going out tonight, I am very tired from my craziness last night…ended up watching too many sex in the city and did not go to sleep until 3:30. I have to clean my apt tomorrow and Guy wants to take me to dinner.
Probably just the right amount of excitement for this girl. It’s funny, I went from fairly isolated with pockets of fun at home, to completely busy and on the go every single second since I got here.
Posting a video of the drummers at the fete. General random pics along with the very cool band last night.
Saturday night
Just got back from Trocadero, the area across from the Eiffel Tower. I was going to go a few minutes where I went last night and grab a bite but started thinking of what I forgot..the Tower at night..so I took 3 metros and 40 minutes later, I was there…lots of nice pictures to send you. I love how there are so many shops and places to grab a quick bite, little mom& pops, squished together, pushing out into the sidewalks and streets..no huge corporates grabbing the real estate here.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Bloody Hell
Bloody Hell
That’s how I feel today. Up all night tending to the bloody visitor…lol. I wasn’t happy when I woke up with a pain in my neck that scattered down my back as the day progressed.
I worked most of yesterday and didn’t get it all done, mostly cause London was a bit over the top for hustle & bustle. I hunched over my too small table with my neck down a few hours. Aside from physical fatigue, my mind is processing on so many levels, I am feeling overly emotional for the first time since I‘ve been here.
It started on the train back from London, when I met a sweet girl who was having a baby in a few weeks. She told me her mom had been sick with cancer and died two years ago. My heart pounded, my eyes swelled, and I told her about Steven and we talked. We talked about all the stuff, her life & family, pregnancy, child birth, breast feeding, hormone issues, even libido. She had some concerns and questions, and asked me if it was going to get better as it concerns her mom.
I got to be there for her for just a moment and it was satisfying to both of us. I felt bad as I didn’t even get her name, nor her mine. It was a lot of French and English and it was a lot of conversation in a short amount of time. It was almost midnight when we got back and we all scurried in different directions.
When I walked home, all I could remember was that she was sad and missed her momma, and wanted to know if it would get better this year. I reassured her that yes, this next year will be better. She loves thinking of her mom but is tired of being sad. That is exactly how I felt. Year 3, I was tired of being sad. This whole year has been amazingly better and since in Paris, excitedly distracted, there is no sad.
Mussee Picasso is on the fringe of the Jewish area and thought my deli would cheer me up, hhmm.comfort food.…. The guy that took care of me is English, first one I have met in Paris, odd coincidence, and he chatted me through lunch. I stopped at all the Jewish bakeries but did not succumb today.
I had been to Picasso before when I was here 3 years ago, but didn’t take pictures and really couldn’t remember much. I looked in the book and it said pictures w/o flash were allowed but apparently that was not the case and I was reproached. Also stopped at 17th Century Musee Carnavalet.
Walked a long way towards home looking for a store I had been before but never found again. Stopped for a diet coke and a break on my back and decided to go home. Couldn’t find my way across the Seine, lost my bearings completely and thought I might cry as I criss-crossed the Bastille part of the city. Finally got on a metro and went home.
Happened to be perfect timing, as Catherine dropped by about 5 minutes after I got home. I had to pack up yesterday as Catherine came to clean the bedroom as she has someone coming after I leave and she is on her way to a conference. I am not using the bedroom other than as a closet full of clothes, suitcases, bags, everything piling up. The doc gave me pills of different sorts, rubbed my neck a little and tried to help keep me happy. She encouraged me to continue my adventures after my rest and do not be discouraged as she thinks it will rain until I leave. The rain brings me down. It makes it not happy to walk.
Lisa and Patrick are gone. Jillie got a gig in the country and is on her way. Guy is busy with teaching and protecting Paris. I have a couple opportunities, although tempting, are not my choice for direction at this time. My plan for tomorrow night fell through not to mention the cancellation on my part for tonight.
A Bear said it best,
You've been saddled to a cyclone in a whirlwind for over five weeks...goin', seein', doin'....everything you could possibly do or want to do. non-stop. happy, laughing, smiling... new friends, new adventures, new...everything. non-stop. for over ... five weeks…any wonder there's a little 'overwhelmed at it all' hittin' you now? don't think so. think it's just the natural rhythm of it all.
I know this is natural and I have been going pretty high for quite some time, happier for the longest time in a long time. I know I am leaving soon and it’s all so strange. People have lives and everyone can’t spend all their time playing with me…wwhhaaa.
Setting that all aside, I miss my comforts {tired of this futon), I need to work and it is frustrating from here, miss my girl and my life. Today, on my low, is the day to beat myself up for eating too much, spending too much, staying too long and not working enough.
I love Paris and had the adventure of a lifetime. I still have a few days and have lost some steam. The rain doesn’t motivate me like the sunshine but tomorrow will be a new day. I had a plan for Versailles but with the weather and lack of energy, not sure about that one. Wish I had someone to lean on, to figure it out, look it up and make a plan, find out where it is and which metro to take and can help find a bathroom when I need one. I am worn out and off my game.
I will say again. This is everything and more than I ever imagined but it is not for the faint of heart. Going it alone is a tedious task. Any ideas for the next few days are welcome. Tomorrow is a new day.
Enjoy Picasso, the pictures almost got me thrown in the brink.
Shout out and love to my mom who has spent today getting one new bionic knee.
That’s how I feel today. Up all night tending to the bloody visitor…lol. I wasn’t happy when I woke up with a pain in my neck that scattered down my back as the day progressed.
I worked most of yesterday and didn’t get it all done, mostly cause London was a bit over the top for hustle & bustle. I hunched over my too small table with my neck down a few hours. Aside from physical fatigue, my mind is processing on so many levels, I am feeling overly emotional for the first time since I‘ve been here.
It started on the train back from London, when I met a sweet girl who was having a baby in a few weeks. She told me her mom had been sick with cancer and died two years ago. My heart pounded, my eyes swelled, and I told her about Steven and we talked. We talked about all the stuff, her life & family, pregnancy, child birth, breast feeding, hormone issues, even libido. She had some concerns and questions, and asked me if it was going to get better as it concerns her mom.
I got to be there for her for just a moment and it was satisfying to both of us. I felt bad as I didn’t even get her name, nor her mine. It was a lot of French and English and it was a lot of conversation in a short amount of time. It was almost midnight when we got back and we all scurried in different directions.
When I walked home, all I could remember was that she was sad and missed her momma, and wanted to know if it would get better this year. I reassured her that yes, this next year will be better. She loves thinking of her mom but is tired of being sad. That is exactly how I felt. Year 3, I was tired of being sad. This whole year has been amazingly better and since in Paris, excitedly distracted, there is no sad.
Mussee Picasso is on the fringe of the Jewish area and thought my deli would cheer me up, hhmm.comfort food.…. The guy that took care of me is English, first one I have met in Paris, odd coincidence, and he chatted me through lunch. I stopped at all the Jewish bakeries but did not succumb today.
I had been to Picasso before when I was here 3 years ago, but didn’t take pictures and really couldn’t remember much. I looked in the book and it said pictures w/o flash were allowed but apparently that was not the case and I was reproached. Also stopped at 17th Century Musee Carnavalet.
Walked a long way towards home looking for a store I had been before but never found again. Stopped for a diet coke and a break on my back and decided to go home. Couldn’t find my way across the Seine, lost my bearings completely and thought I might cry as I criss-crossed the Bastille part of the city. Finally got on a metro and went home.
Happened to be perfect timing, as Catherine dropped by about 5 minutes after I got home. I had to pack up yesterday as Catherine came to clean the bedroom as she has someone coming after I leave and she is on her way to a conference. I am not using the bedroom other than as a closet full of clothes, suitcases, bags, everything piling up. The doc gave me pills of different sorts, rubbed my neck a little and tried to help keep me happy. She encouraged me to continue my adventures after my rest and do not be discouraged as she thinks it will rain until I leave. The rain brings me down. It makes it not happy to walk.
Lisa and Patrick are gone. Jillie got a gig in the country and is on her way. Guy is busy with teaching and protecting Paris. I have a couple opportunities, although tempting, are not my choice for direction at this time. My plan for tomorrow night fell through not to mention the cancellation on my part for tonight.
A Bear said it best,
You've been saddled to a cyclone in a whirlwind for over five weeks...goin', seein', doin'....everything you could possibly do or want to do. non-stop. happy, laughing, smiling... new friends, new adventures, new...everything. non-stop. for over ... five weeks…any wonder there's a little 'overwhelmed at it all' hittin' you now? don't think so. think it's just the natural rhythm of it all.
I know this is natural and I have been going pretty high for quite some time, happier for the longest time in a long time. I know I am leaving soon and it’s all so strange. People have lives and everyone can’t spend all their time playing with me…wwhhaaa.
Setting that all aside, I miss my comforts {tired of this futon), I need to work and it is frustrating from here, miss my girl and my life. Today, on my low, is the day to beat myself up for eating too much, spending too much, staying too long and not working enough.
I love Paris and had the adventure of a lifetime. I still have a few days and have lost some steam. The rain doesn’t motivate me like the sunshine but tomorrow will be a new day. I had a plan for Versailles but with the weather and lack of energy, not sure about that one. Wish I had someone to lean on, to figure it out, look it up and make a plan, find out where it is and which metro to take and can help find a bathroom when I need one. I am worn out and off my game.
I will say again. This is everything and more than I ever imagined but it is not for the faint of heart. Going it alone is a tedious task. Any ideas for the next few days are welcome. Tomorrow is a new day.
Enjoy Picasso, the pictures almost got me thrown in the brink.
Shout out and love to my mom who has spent today getting one new bionic knee.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I’ve seen London, I’m seeing France, Catherine and I saw someone’s underpants.
A few nights ago at dinner, while Catherine was on the phone, a group of guys came down the street making themselves noticed. As they approached, I noticed one guy wearing a short skirt and fishnet nylons. As they rounded the corner, it became obvious that the one guy had his skirt hem tucked up into his waistband, displaying his tighty widey underpants..Of course, my jaw dropped, as I made funny noises and motioned Catherine to look, while she is having her serious conversation.
Knowing a day in London was not going to allow for any real discovery I was hoping I would know if I wanted to revisit someday. Nope, not for me. Of course I am smart enough to know and see that it is a wonderful city richly filled with history and culture. The group I was with thought it reminded them of NY, while for me, it resembled LA.
Excited to go through the chunnel and speed off to London, I was walking to the metro at 6:15am, barely light..The morning was calm after the longest loudest nighttime rain I had heard since I was here. Meeting at the tour office, shuttle to Gare Nord, through customs and security, our group is ready to go. Fifteen minutes before departure, a delay announcement informs us that a train broke down blocking the track. Maybe a half hour later, they announced a 35 minute delay, which turned into a 2 hour delay. As it turned out, the entire train station was halted during this episode.
I met two couples traveling together from Atlanta. After hanging out for 4 hours, they invited me to join them for the day, and I did. As it turned out, I am glad I was adopted for the day. I even told a joke on our way home and made everyone laugh, imagine that. It had been told in French and I told it in English and remembered the punch line. We all helped each other get through our very few hours in London.
Our tour company was not there to meet us as they gave up, so we had no shuttle to our tour bus. No one had pounds or knowledge of exactly where we were headed. We gathered our steam and took a cab to Marble Arch to catch our tour bus. We gave up the Thames Cruise to have enough time to see the city and have a great pub experience.
Our lunch was yummy and I had a draft. Becca & Arthur might have guessed but ended up with the Plowman’s Lunch, complete with pickled onions & chutney, while everyone else had Fish & Chips and Mushy Peas. They were very sweet to me and we all seemed to make our hurry scurry of the city doable and fun, lots of laughs to be had.
We took 2 of the 4 city tours completely so got a good look and orientation to the city.
Because our trip delay, we missed the changing of the Guard, which happens one time a day. London is beautiful, love the river and the bridges, the fact that Buckingham Palace is right in the middle of the city and gravitate towards the big monument squares where people gather.
It is sprawling, missed the neighborhood feel of NY and Paris, with a market, café, and necessities on every street. I would have liked to be there at night when Picadilly Circus lights up like Times Square. It felt like the Louvre, crowded with people clamoring for action, very windy, not quaint, not friendly…
After an 18 hour travel day, I didn’t get to sleep until 3am and up today after a quick 7 hours of sleep. One hour better than the night before but really not enough. Woke up with parts, TMI, but most of us are girls. Very tired. Worked several hours this morning, then decided to go up to Mouffetard and find a big salad and fruit for home. My couple hours out is about the only non rainy time in the last couple days. It rained all day yesterday while I was across the English Channel and another storm is on it’s way. The couple hours of thunder and downpour has now passed.
I am tired and finishing up my corrections on my curriculum. I am trying to figure out how to spend the next couple days and I think I will let it happen after some good rest tonight. I still have a bunch of work stuff to do but will hopefully finish up in the morning. See ya’ll soon.
.
Knowing a day in London was not going to allow for any real discovery I was hoping I would know if I wanted to revisit someday. Nope, not for me. Of course I am smart enough to know and see that it is a wonderful city richly filled with history and culture. The group I was with thought it reminded them of NY, while for me, it resembled LA.
Excited to go through the chunnel and speed off to London, I was walking to the metro at 6:15am, barely light..The morning was calm after the longest loudest nighttime rain I had heard since I was here. Meeting at the tour office, shuttle to Gare Nord, through customs and security, our group is ready to go. Fifteen minutes before departure, a delay announcement informs us that a train broke down blocking the track. Maybe a half hour later, they announced a 35 minute delay, which turned into a 2 hour delay. As it turned out, the entire train station was halted during this episode.
I met two couples traveling together from Atlanta. After hanging out for 4 hours, they invited me to join them for the day, and I did. As it turned out, I am glad I was adopted for the day. I even told a joke on our way home and made everyone laugh, imagine that. It had been told in French and I told it in English and remembered the punch line. We all helped each other get through our very few hours in London.
Our tour company was not there to meet us as they gave up, so we had no shuttle to our tour bus. No one had pounds or knowledge of exactly where we were headed. We gathered our steam and took a cab to Marble Arch to catch our tour bus. We gave up the Thames Cruise to have enough time to see the city and have a great pub experience.
Our lunch was yummy and I had a draft. Becca & Arthur might have guessed but ended up with the Plowman’s Lunch, complete with pickled onions & chutney, while everyone else had Fish & Chips and Mushy Peas. They were very sweet to me and we all seemed to make our hurry scurry of the city doable and fun, lots of laughs to be had.
We took 2 of the 4 city tours completely so got a good look and orientation to the city.
Because our trip delay, we missed the changing of the Guard, which happens one time a day. London is beautiful, love the river and the bridges, the fact that Buckingham Palace is right in the middle of the city and gravitate towards the big monument squares where people gather.
It is sprawling, missed the neighborhood feel of NY and Paris, with a market, café, and necessities on every street. I would have liked to be there at night when Picadilly Circus lights up like Times Square. It felt like the Louvre, crowded with people clamoring for action, very windy, not quaint, not friendly…
After an 18 hour travel day, I didn’t get to sleep until 3am and up today after a quick 7 hours of sleep. One hour better than the night before but really not enough. Woke up with parts, TMI, but most of us are girls. Very tired. Worked several hours this morning, then decided to go up to Mouffetard and find a big salad and fruit for home. My couple hours out is about the only non rainy time in the last couple days. It rained all day yesterday while I was across the English Channel and another storm is on it’s way. The couple hours of thunder and downpour has now passed.
I am tired and finishing up my corrections on my curriculum. I am trying to figure out how to spend the next couple days and I think I will let it happen after some good rest tonight. I still have a bunch of work stuff to do but will hopefully finish up in the morning. See ya’ll soon.
.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Medieval Escape to Bruge
I may have never mentioned that, and many people know, the Eiffel Tower lights up the sky on the half hour every single night. Aside form the sparkly lights all over the Tower, it beams a light across the city, larger than I have seen. From my apartment, barely through the shrub sitting on top of the building across from me, I can see a couple/few little sparklies twinkling, but there is no strain or squint necessary to easily see the powerful beacon from my terrace.
I walked to the metro at about 6:15 yesterday to get to my tour place. I like the confidence I have now for getting anywhere on the metro.. Figured out that a big air conditioned but is not a plane and I cannot read or write, which gave me lots of thinking/processing time.
I was ancy from the first 4 hours drive. Wanting to wander a larger portion of the town, I broke away quickly from the guided walking tour. Found too many gifts to add to the pile. I got lost as I seem to do. Ended up in the real part of town vs the old part with all the tourists and they were having a carnival and huge run around the city. I got a couple pictures at the end as we boarded our bus.
The old woman in the doorway is spindling Belgium flower lace. She is tatting. Bruges is the last place that makes hand made flower lace. Most is machine made with hand touches made in China & Taiwan.
Took a bunch of pictures but the little ‘Venice of the North’ really deserves an overnight. I immediately headed for food since I hadn’t eaten yet. Other than legally smoking pot, a cool memory about Amsterdam was french fries and mayonnaise. Fries are Belgium by origin, klein friets, small fries..with mayonnaise although they offer several sauce choices for about $2. I don’t even eat mayonnaise, but I partied on down with my klein friets. Yummiers.. .
Walked the big square, went with my group on the canal ride, and then shopped. I found a store with yummy delicacies.. some of that fabulous white asparagus.. and a whole cooler case of little canapés waiting for a poo poo platter to happen. I had to take a picture, asked the owner and then ordered a few.
Half a white potato with crème fraise and salmon roe… -we love that in our family..
Pumpernickel bread with cheese loafed and sliced like a checkerboard cubes.
Pinwheel of artichoke, cheese, some meaty, vegetables.. can’t remember exactly.
Seems a little nuts of me to go 4 hours back and forth to see Bruge, to spend 5 hours, but I am glad I did. Lugging home kilos of chocolate boxes and bags of silly things, I had to laugh at myself.
Really tired today form the big day out or was it just too much bus time. I had to type up my curriculum this morning and get it emailed. The idea of my marketing seminar at home was pretty cool, but it was still just a business. The real turn on for me was to find a way to make a life doing something I know in Paris. Cause for me, Paris is cooler than cool, and makes me fuzzy all over. It may not happen so quickly, but at least I got to catch the buzz.. the buzz that makes you want to practice.
Laundry list of things to do today and I am still strong at it. Since I was supposed to be home last week, I am in catch up mode all the way around personally and for work.
Tomorrow is London, and even though our tour guide told me I will not have time to really do anything, (odd sales approach) I am really excited to even get a few hours to take in some essence of London.
I walked to the metro at about 6:15 yesterday to get to my tour place. I like the confidence I have now for getting anywhere on the metro.. Figured out that a big air conditioned but is not a plane and I cannot read or write, which gave me lots of thinking/processing time.
I was ancy from the first 4 hours drive. Wanting to wander a larger portion of the town, I broke away quickly from the guided walking tour. Found too many gifts to add to the pile. I got lost as I seem to do. Ended up in the real part of town vs the old part with all the tourists and they were having a carnival and huge run around the city. I got a couple pictures at the end as we boarded our bus.
The old woman in the doorway is spindling Belgium flower lace. She is tatting. Bruges is the last place that makes hand made flower lace. Most is machine made with hand touches made in China & Taiwan.
Took a bunch of pictures but the little ‘Venice of the North’ really deserves an overnight. I immediately headed for food since I hadn’t eaten yet. Other than legally smoking pot, a cool memory about Amsterdam was french fries and mayonnaise. Fries are Belgium by origin, klein friets, small fries..with mayonnaise although they offer several sauce choices for about $2. I don’t even eat mayonnaise, but I partied on down with my klein friets. Yummiers.. .
Walked the big square, went with my group on the canal ride, and then shopped. I found a store with yummy delicacies.. some of that fabulous white asparagus.. and a whole cooler case of little canapés waiting for a poo poo platter to happen. I had to take a picture, asked the owner and then ordered a few.
Half a white potato with crème fraise and salmon roe… -we love that in our family..
Pumpernickel bread with cheese loafed and sliced like a checkerboard cubes.
Pinwheel of artichoke, cheese, some meaty, vegetables.. can’t remember exactly.
Seems a little nuts of me to go 4 hours back and forth to see Bruge, to spend 5 hours, but I am glad I did. Lugging home kilos of chocolate boxes and bags of silly things, I had to laugh at myself.
Really tired today form the big day out or was it just too much bus time. I had to type up my curriculum this morning and get it emailed. The idea of my marketing seminar at home was pretty cool, but it was still just a business. The real turn on for me was to find a way to make a life doing something I know in Paris. Cause for me, Paris is cooler than cool, and makes me fuzzy all over. It may not happen so quickly, but at least I got to catch the buzz.. the buzz that makes you want to practice.
Laundry list of things to do today and I am still strong at it. Since I was supposed to be home last week, I am in catch up mode all the way around personally and for work.
Tomorrow is London, and even though our tour guide told me I will not have time to really do anything, (odd sales approach) I am really excited to even get a few hours to take in some essence of London.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Moaning Hores
My hores are moaning. Arthur said that to me our life together when I felt like this. My ovaries hurt and I feel yuck. WWhhaa, I am just achy and tired. I have done so much and walked more miles in a month than I did last year. Got my packages ready and forms filled out, walked everything to the poste, only to find out it was closed, along with the bank, which was my next stop. I still don’t know what holiday it is, but honestly, I thought maybe I was confused and it was Saturday. Definitely pms.
Really interesting night with the fellas. I was privy to 3 men, longtime good friends, get on like silly boys, men will be men. They were very good about slowing down their speech and translating when needed, but mostly I felt like I was keeping up.
Guy had one of his firefighter guys, also Civil Service, come by to meet me, as they all hear about Travis. I am on a mission. Nice young guy, same age, doing the same thing as Travis, even working next on his paramedic. They do not get much off time here but must work normally 120 hours a week – I think that is 5 24’s. He hung out with us oldtimers and I mostly teased him about finding an American girl.
We had another great meal that went on till midnight. The manager was from the same region as Guy, and that started the boys playing. They goofed around and told stories and told many naughty jokes. I needed some translation here and there, especially as they start talking so fast. But one of the last ones of the night, I understood in French, without translation, and made me laugh out loud… so funny.
I was pretty low energy yesterday so wanted to do something with no walking.
Enjoyed the Canauxrama. Absolutely cool and nothing like what I expected.
Canal St. Martin, with a fully enclosed tunnel..to parc de la Villette. An excursion through the 4.5 km canal built in 1806 by Napoleon. Four double locks, the pictures will explain and look at the video. The boat gets brought into the lock, one door opens – the other closes. The water gets brought in until the water brings you up to the level of the next piece. One of the final ones brought us to street level. I hope you can get an idea from the pictures. I had never seen anything like it before.
There is grand history to all of this but nothing to yack about here. A very fun excursion, unexpected awe on my part, met some nice people from Suffolk and probably only walked a mile all day. My body is tired of walking, some days I have done too much. Working today, watched a movie, tried to get business done but I told ya how that went.
We are all meeting tonight for dinner as birthday boy Patrick is leaving tomorrow.
I am suppose to meet Catherine tomorrow at her new place and to go for an early dinner. It is our last chance as I will be on the go this next week. My trip for Mother’s Day leaves at 7am and gets back at 10PM.. big day to Bruges. Tuesday’s adventure on EuroStar is 7am out of Paris and back at midnight…yippee!!
If I had another six weeks here, my language would be at it’s peak.. still much to learn, but my conversations flow much better and I have so much more confidence. Really excellent conversation with my taxi driver last night about the Louvre as it compares to the other museums. We talked about all the walking I had been doing and he felt that this generation of French kids complain about walking 10 minutes. If there is not a metro stop near their destination, their not interested.
Haven’t heard from many of you as in the beginning. People get use to someone being gone. I have a small tiny handful of fans that keep me going, I suppose which is really true for everyday life. It won’t be long before I am home and the blog mostly ends. Then I will probably be back to more telephone talking, but I feel fortunate that I had this method of mass communication throughout this journey.
Everybody have a very nice weekend.
Really interesting night with the fellas. I was privy to 3 men, longtime good friends, get on like silly boys, men will be men. They were very good about slowing down their speech and translating when needed, but mostly I felt like I was keeping up.
Guy had one of his firefighter guys, also Civil Service, come by to meet me, as they all hear about Travis. I am on a mission. Nice young guy, same age, doing the same thing as Travis, even working next on his paramedic. They do not get much off time here but must work normally 120 hours a week – I think that is 5 24’s. He hung out with us oldtimers and I mostly teased him about finding an American girl.
We had another great meal that went on till midnight. The manager was from the same region as Guy, and that started the boys playing. They goofed around and told stories and told many naughty jokes. I needed some translation here and there, especially as they start talking so fast. But one of the last ones of the night, I understood in French, without translation, and made me laugh out loud… so funny.
I was pretty low energy yesterday so wanted to do something with no walking.
Enjoyed the Canauxrama. Absolutely cool and nothing like what I expected.
Canal St. Martin, with a fully enclosed tunnel..to parc de la Villette. An excursion through the 4.5 km canal built in 1806 by Napoleon. Four double locks, the pictures will explain and look at the video. The boat gets brought into the lock, one door opens – the other closes. The water gets brought in until the water brings you up to the level of the next piece. One of the final ones brought us to street level. I hope you can get an idea from the pictures. I had never seen anything like it before.
There is grand history to all of this but nothing to yack about here. A very fun excursion, unexpected awe on my part, met some nice people from Suffolk and probably only walked a mile all day. My body is tired of walking, some days I have done too much. Working today, watched a movie, tried to get business done but I told ya how that went.
We are all meeting tonight for dinner as birthday boy Patrick is leaving tomorrow.
I am suppose to meet Catherine tomorrow at her new place and to go for an early dinner. It is our last chance as I will be on the go this next week. My trip for Mother’s Day leaves at 7am and gets back at 10PM.. big day to Bruges. Tuesday’s adventure on EuroStar is 7am out of Paris and back at midnight…yippee!!
If I had another six weeks here, my language would be at it’s peak.. still much to learn, but my conversations flow much better and I have so much more confidence. Really excellent conversation with my taxi driver last night about the Louvre as it compares to the other museums. We talked about all the walking I had been doing and he felt that this generation of French kids complain about walking 10 minutes. If there is not a metro stop near their destination, their not interested.
Haven’t heard from many of you as in the beginning. People get use to someone being gone. I have a small tiny handful of fans that keep me going, I suppose which is really true for everyday life. It won’t be long before I am home and the blog mostly ends. Then I will probably be back to more telephone talking, but I feel fortunate that I had this method of mass communication throughout this journey.
Everybody have a very nice weekend.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Making Things Happen
Should I write about the weather, the food or the men. The weather is crazy, like Portland, one day, it is cold, dreary, grey and cold and then the sun comes out and it is warm and blue and wonderful. Yesterday’s choice for outings were with a boat policia, an aristocrat or Patrick and Mr. Secret Agent.
Patrick, Guy & I just had the best meal to date in Paris. The amazing home-style repas where the owners feed you until you tell them to stop. You choose your entrée but they do the rest. Sabine brought soup to start and said it was to warm us. She brought pastry encrusted escargot and country pate, which is formed like meat loaf. Her eccentric husband/chef brought our entrees, the guys had lamb and I had scallops skered with apricots. Salad followed with accoutrements of carrot yogurt and salmon yogurt to put on top of your salad…grilled herb potatoes, along with grilled eggplant and yummy haricot verts, but the old fashioned green beans like grandpa Henry, Helens dad use to grow, fat and flat and full of flavor.
She gave us special cherries soaked in liquor and after that special liquor, lots of wine. Really great French meal, been waiting for that one.
Guy, aside from being military security in charge of civil police, teaches and is an ambassador. He believed my marketing course is perfect for business students here. He is going to get me a meeting with the people to figure this out. Ok, now how exciting would it be to have to go to Paris to teach.
He said it will be good for my resume to teach in a couple different business schools and then I could do a conference. We found one on the internet that teaches beginners, google marketing, for 495e a day/ that’s about $650 US per day. I am not so expensive. Guy is a very interesting man.
OK, so cool, so Guy drove me home in his police car, and yes, ran the siren and lights a couple times to make me laugh BUT we get to the end of a road, that is pietons (walking) street… and there is a line of 5 white cement cylinders in the road.. and I am trying to figure out what he is doing… As it turns out, these spots are under surveillance and he was waiting for them to see him, and all of a sudden the cement cylinders descended into the ground, to allow us to pass, and when I turned around, I saw them raising back up.. OK, having never seen that, good way to impress a girl Mr. Secret Agent Man.
Today I decided to DO the Louvre. Can’t say that I wanted to other than, you could not spend 6 weeks in Paris and not go to the Louvre. Impressionist lover that I am, I still can appreciate art in other forms.
Rick Steve’s says when speaking of the Orsay, “I personally find it more enjoyable and rewarding than the Louvre. Sure, ya gotta see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but after you get your gottas out of the way, enjoy the Orsay.
What struck me the most today, was how rude and inconsiderate people were, and I have really not seen that before in Paris. Selfish and self centered, maybe because there was just so many people. I do not ever like to group together people, but today I will say, that the Asians that visited the Louvre today were the most rude and pushy people that run in packs and think they are superior. That place was the craziest crowded place, I have been in Paris.
I toured the entire museum and found it impressive because of the vast amount of art and history. From everything I had heard, I thought it would be more intimidating than it was. There are three big wings and really everything is basically in one wing Denon.
I could not get a good shot of the Mona Lisa…I couldn’t believe how small it was. The Venus de Milo was not the most impressive sculpture but it sure gets a lot of attention. I liked the Winged Victory but as you will see, I really did not take many pictures, mostly too dark and not allowed flash, too many people and not enough air…but I had a blast taking all the penis pictures and will put them in their own album for your viewing enjoyment.
The picture of the crown belonged to Louis XV, had to wait awhile to get close enough to take a pic for you, it is jewel studded with a 140 carat diamond.
I walked home thinking I was going to relax and have some dinner along the way, but ran across a very nice food market.. I got tomato mozzarella along with a great big rice saffron ball covered in vegetable ragout.. got two slice of pate, (country and encroute) for a picnic tomorrow… and some mega big cherries.
I think tomorrow I am going on a canal ride that is off the Seine and travels 2 ½ hours..bringing a picnic.. yumm.
Tomorrow night, big dinner with Patrick, Guy and the other professor Stephen..who is not taking us to Synagogue Friday night.
It was mentioned to me that this journey will be a gift that keeps on giving as my transformation continues at home. Very true. That I have been unveiled from my more isolated life and that is very true and I doubt I will ever be the same.
But what I know, I am definitely a city girl, I like an ethnic store on every corner, food and people form everywhere, interesting things to do. That is why NY, SF and BC are my top cities.. I like speaking french and I am getting good. I like the way it makes me feel.
I heard this guy on CNN talking about the Beatles. He said he believes talent is the desire to practice. A desire to do whatever it takes..like an entrepreneur.. – my definition of an entrepreneur, is someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. This guy believe that the Beatles wouldn’t be the Beatles if they hadn’t been a house band in Hamburg for 2 years, apparently 2 years 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. He feels they had the desire to learn, practice, mesh as a group, learn new genres, write songs and generally become what they were to later show us. I did not know that story, but dug the theory.
Sort of like Meesh, who knew nothing about making glass beads and I don’t know that she was born with some talent for it, yes she is artistic, but it was her desire to practice and keep practicing that is making her a bead talent. I have been studying French my whole life. I don’t have talent but have always had the desire to learn the language and practise. And if I want to be more fluent and have a life in Paris and teach in Paris, it will take a talent, a desire to practice and work hard and do what it takes..hhmm, now this makes me think of Barbara N… Her talent .is the huge desire to practice her craft, work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. And like me, if something fails or we falter, we get up, we dust ourselves off and we do it even better..whatever it takes.
My mom says about acting, if you can think of anything else in life you want to do, than you should do it.. cause this is going to be hard, talent or not talent, it is about PRACTISING, WORKING HARD AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. So Meesh will fire beads all over the country, and I will teach marketing in Paris and Barbara will act and touch hearts everywhere with her stories of bravery and light..
I think we are all capable of more than we know. We restrict ourselves with fear. I have mostly not lived in fear as I know I will always do whatever it takes to get it done. And my history shows that I am capable.
Again, I must say, how lucky a girl, if I could tell you all, I have to go to Paris to teach marketing.
With a whole month behind me and two weeks to go, I do not have time to visit enough with all my friends and do everything I want to do, but I guess that just means I will have more adventures to look forward to when I return to teach my first class.
Patrick, Guy & I just had the best meal to date in Paris. The amazing home-style repas where the owners feed you until you tell them to stop. You choose your entrée but they do the rest. Sabine brought soup to start and said it was to warm us. She brought pastry encrusted escargot and country pate, which is formed like meat loaf. Her eccentric husband/chef brought our entrees, the guys had lamb and I had scallops skered with apricots. Salad followed with accoutrements of carrot yogurt and salmon yogurt to put on top of your salad…grilled herb potatoes, along with grilled eggplant and yummy haricot verts, but the old fashioned green beans like grandpa Henry, Helens dad use to grow, fat and flat and full of flavor.
She gave us special cherries soaked in liquor and after that special liquor, lots of wine. Really great French meal, been waiting for that one.
Guy, aside from being military security in charge of civil police, teaches and is an ambassador. He believed my marketing course is perfect for business students here. He is going to get me a meeting with the people to figure this out. Ok, now how exciting would it be to have to go to Paris to teach.
He said it will be good for my resume to teach in a couple different business schools and then I could do a conference. We found one on the internet that teaches beginners, google marketing, for 495e a day/ that’s about $650 US per day. I am not so expensive. Guy is a very interesting man.
OK, so cool, so Guy drove me home in his police car, and yes, ran the siren and lights a couple times to make me laugh BUT we get to the end of a road, that is pietons (walking) street… and there is a line of 5 white cement cylinders in the road.. and I am trying to figure out what he is doing… As it turns out, these spots are under surveillance and he was waiting for them to see him, and all of a sudden the cement cylinders descended into the ground, to allow us to pass, and when I turned around, I saw them raising back up.. OK, having never seen that, good way to impress a girl Mr. Secret Agent Man.
Today I decided to DO the Louvre. Can’t say that I wanted to other than, you could not spend 6 weeks in Paris and not go to the Louvre. Impressionist lover that I am, I still can appreciate art in other forms.
Rick Steve’s says when speaking of the Orsay, “I personally find it more enjoyable and rewarding than the Louvre. Sure, ya gotta see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but after you get your gottas out of the way, enjoy the Orsay.
What struck me the most today, was how rude and inconsiderate people were, and I have really not seen that before in Paris. Selfish and self centered, maybe because there was just so many people. I do not ever like to group together people, but today I will say, that the Asians that visited the Louvre today were the most rude and pushy people that run in packs and think they are superior. That place was the craziest crowded place, I have been in Paris.
I toured the entire museum and found it impressive because of the vast amount of art and history. From everything I had heard, I thought it would be more intimidating than it was. There are three big wings and really everything is basically in one wing Denon.
I could not get a good shot of the Mona Lisa…I couldn’t believe how small it was. The Venus de Milo was not the most impressive sculpture but it sure gets a lot of attention. I liked the Winged Victory but as you will see, I really did not take many pictures, mostly too dark and not allowed flash, too many people and not enough air…but I had a blast taking all the penis pictures and will put them in their own album for your viewing enjoyment.
The picture of the crown belonged to Louis XV, had to wait awhile to get close enough to take a pic for you, it is jewel studded with a 140 carat diamond.
I walked home thinking I was going to relax and have some dinner along the way, but ran across a very nice food market.. I got tomato mozzarella along with a great big rice saffron ball covered in vegetable ragout.. got two slice of pate, (country and encroute) for a picnic tomorrow… and some mega big cherries.
I think tomorrow I am going on a canal ride that is off the Seine and travels 2 ½ hours..bringing a picnic.. yumm.
Tomorrow night, big dinner with Patrick, Guy and the other professor Stephen..who is not taking us to Synagogue Friday night.
It was mentioned to me that this journey will be a gift that keeps on giving as my transformation continues at home. Very true. That I have been unveiled from my more isolated life and that is very true and I doubt I will ever be the same.
But what I know, I am definitely a city girl, I like an ethnic store on every corner, food and people form everywhere, interesting things to do. That is why NY, SF and BC are my top cities.. I like speaking french and I am getting good. I like the way it makes me feel.
I heard this guy on CNN talking about the Beatles. He said he believes talent is the desire to practice. A desire to do whatever it takes..like an entrepreneur.. – my definition of an entrepreneur, is someone who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. This guy believe that the Beatles wouldn’t be the Beatles if they hadn’t been a house band in Hamburg for 2 years, apparently 2 years 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. He feels they had the desire to learn, practice, mesh as a group, learn new genres, write songs and generally become what they were to later show us. I did not know that story, but dug the theory.
Sort of like Meesh, who knew nothing about making glass beads and I don’t know that she was born with some talent for it, yes she is artistic, but it was her desire to practice and keep practicing that is making her a bead talent. I have been studying French my whole life. I don’t have talent but have always had the desire to learn the language and practise. And if I want to be more fluent and have a life in Paris and teach in Paris, it will take a talent, a desire to practice and work hard and do what it takes..hhmm, now this makes me think of Barbara N… Her talent .is the huge desire to practice her craft, work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. And like me, if something fails or we falter, we get up, we dust ourselves off and we do it even better..whatever it takes.
My mom says about acting, if you can think of anything else in life you want to do, than you should do it.. cause this is going to be hard, talent or not talent, it is about PRACTISING, WORKING HARD AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. So Meesh will fire beads all over the country, and I will teach marketing in Paris and Barbara will act and touch hearts everywhere with her stories of bravery and light..
I think we are all capable of more than we know. We restrict ourselves with fear. I have mostly not lived in fear as I know I will always do whatever it takes to get it done. And my history shows that I am capable.
Again, I must say, how lucky a girl, if I could tell you all, I have to go to Paris to teach marketing.
With a whole month behind me and two weeks to go, I do not have time to visit enough with all my friends and do everything I want to do, but I guess that just means I will have more adventures to look forward to when I return to teach my first class.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Lox, Bagels, Rugalach, Mondel Bread and More
My longtime friend Patrick is in town and we have lots planned. Every time I see him, I remember why I keep him as a friend. We have over 10 years of history and he has watched me go through a lot. He is always a gentleman, always wanting the best for me, an excellent business man, very intelligent and always connected whether Portland or Paris.
Lunch a couple days ago was champagne, foie gras and scallops and two kinds of wine, yummy.
Enjoyed the afternoon at a local, but very large contemporary art event. It was quite impressive and both of us found art we took to heart. I may go visit the artist next week to discuss buying a piece. We had special mint tea made for us…
Meeting many of his friends and colleagues this coming week.
His friend is hopefully taking us to synagogue Friday night.
Steven is professor at two business schools. He says I can teach my Google class in English as all who are in business school speak English. He thinks there is much opportunity for this class and I should put together a curriculum. When I get home, I am going to update my resume and put together a business portfolio, pictures speak louder than words.
Tonight, we are going to the newest trendy hip spot in Paris and then for some jazz. He has many people for me to meet and things to do.
I guess my travel outside of Paris will have to wait until after he leaves.
I know I am going to Bruges and London but not sure about Versailles. There are just too many things to do.
Morenos is the posh sophisticated very trendy restaurant Patrick took me last night.
You can tell right away this is going to be a different Parisian experience. Modern façade, sleek and modern décor, geometric and colorful shapes. The experience reminded me of the restaurant at the W in NY that Becca loves.. HeartBeat..
Our bartender wanted to make his specialties for us, so we shared a pepper martini and a ginger martini, both unique and fun. Thought how much Travis would like the savory pepper drink. Accompanying our drinks, they brought crudités, tomato with goat cheese, marinated salmon and long cheese sticks with butter cream.. yum.
I see a trend in Paris for serving on granite tiles, very cool presentation. Portions were not large but perfect and succulent. Dessert was over the top. Dancing, laughing, meeting people for fun until I cried uncle and came home at3;30 am, yippee!
Too much fun was had by all. Cleaning, washing, marketing, shopping will get me through today while I wait some special couscous dinner tonight.
Ok so it sounds like I am always eating.. well eating and looking at art.. I suppose the best thing to do while visiting Paris.
The sweet, very young guy at the store today, asked me out for coffee, and told me I have beautiful eyes and am very sympathique. They seem to all say the same thing. Good line, don’t ya think.
On my way out this morning, I ran into my friend Philippe. It feels so cool to randomly run into someone I know. He thought it was pretty strange as he was only in my neighborhood because he was visiting the doctor and on his way to work. Made me feel like I am home.
Spent the entire day in the Jewish area. First I had to find the food. Ate the yummiest lox and bagels.. in Paris, which came with more than the normal accoutrements. Along with normal lox, cream cheese, tomatoes and capers, they included extra think sliced salmon (like sushi) a container of salmon spread, some salmon roe and tepanade.. funny, huh, I ate it all.
Spent more time at the Holocaust Center than the Musee of Art & History Jewish. They were both very similar to ones that Becca & I have visited other than the history went further back. Very limited pictures, not allowed, however the pictures are in my brain.
More food, found some rugalach and mondel bread..and some type of almond paste (marzapin) covered figs. Shopped and finally found a small gift that I have been searching for since I got here. Literally walked all day long until every piece of my body hurt.
Tomorrow night, I am having dinner with Patrick again and his friend that is head of civil service, police & fire. Thought a lot about what I need to do to teach in Paris. They want a resume, a portfolio and a draft of a curriculum. All of these, I could easily put together.
So as it turns out, my landlord Catherine rented this apt. to me for the extra two weeks. As she had people coming to stay here, she had to put them in her home. She was going to stay at her brother in laws apt, also has a country home, but decided to rent something. I think she is fond of me now and wanted me to feel settled. It was much generosity for her to allow me to stay and make all inconveniences for her.
She has some papers to write and wanted to find a place to be inspired. She is a very sweet and kind person. Patrick is going to stay here when he comes back. She & I will be having dinner as soon as I have time.
I need/want to make a plan for Mother’s Day as without my girl, I need to stay busy, so no sad. I am sending Becca to Gramma Gail as a gift from me to my mother and it is a gift Becca can give her mother and grandmother, so a quick trip to LA for my little one.
I probably need to quit shopping. I keep finding things for Becca.. and small treasures to add for all my girls. I have to start sending some things home soon.
It is not, if I will come back to Paris, but when – is September too soon.. oh my.
Love ya’ll to Paris and back again.
Lunch a couple days ago was champagne, foie gras and scallops and two kinds of wine, yummy.
Enjoyed the afternoon at a local, but very large contemporary art event. It was quite impressive and both of us found art we took to heart. I may go visit the artist next week to discuss buying a piece. We had special mint tea made for us…
Meeting many of his friends and colleagues this coming week.
His friend is hopefully taking us to synagogue Friday night.
Steven is professor at two business schools. He says I can teach my Google class in English as all who are in business school speak English. He thinks there is much opportunity for this class and I should put together a curriculum. When I get home, I am going to update my resume and put together a business portfolio, pictures speak louder than words.
Tonight, we are going to the newest trendy hip spot in Paris and then for some jazz. He has many people for me to meet and things to do.
I guess my travel outside of Paris will have to wait until after he leaves.
I know I am going to Bruges and London but not sure about Versailles. There are just too many things to do.
Morenos is the posh sophisticated very trendy restaurant Patrick took me last night.
You can tell right away this is going to be a different Parisian experience. Modern façade, sleek and modern décor, geometric and colorful shapes. The experience reminded me of the restaurant at the W in NY that Becca loves.. HeartBeat..
Our bartender wanted to make his specialties for us, so we shared a pepper martini and a ginger martini, both unique and fun. Thought how much Travis would like the savory pepper drink. Accompanying our drinks, they brought crudités, tomato with goat cheese, marinated salmon and long cheese sticks with butter cream.. yum.
I see a trend in Paris for serving on granite tiles, very cool presentation. Portions were not large but perfect and succulent. Dessert was over the top. Dancing, laughing, meeting people for fun until I cried uncle and came home at3;30 am, yippee!
Too much fun was had by all. Cleaning, washing, marketing, shopping will get me through today while I wait some special couscous dinner tonight.
Ok so it sounds like I am always eating.. well eating and looking at art.. I suppose the best thing to do while visiting Paris.
The sweet, very young guy at the store today, asked me out for coffee, and told me I have beautiful eyes and am very sympathique. They seem to all say the same thing. Good line, don’t ya think.
On my way out this morning, I ran into my friend Philippe. It feels so cool to randomly run into someone I know. He thought it was pretty strange as he was only in my neighborhood because he was visiting the doctor and on his way to work. Made me feel like I am home.
Spent the entire day in the Jewish area. First I had to find the food. Ate the yummiest lox and bagels.. in Paris, which came with more than the normal accoutrements. Along with normal lox, cream cheese, tomatoes and capers, they included extra think sliced salmon (like sushi) a container of salmon spread, some salmon roe and tepanade.. funny, huh, I ate it all.
Spent more time at the Holocaust Center than the Musee of Art & History Jewish. They were both very similar to ones that Becca & I have visited other than the history went further back. Very limited pictures, not allowed, however the pictures are in my brain.
More food, found some rugalach and mondel bread..and some type of almond paste (marzapin) covered figs. Shopped and finally found a small gift that I have been searching for since I got here. Literally walked all day long until every piece of my body hurt.
Tomorrow night, I am having dinner with Patrick again and his friend that is head of civil service, police & fire. Thought a lot about what I need to do to teach in Paris. They want a resume, a portfolio and a draft of a curriculum. All of these, I could easily put together.
So as it turns out, my landlord Catherine rented this apt. to me for the extra two weeks. As she had people coming to stay here, she had to put them in her home. She was going to stay at her brother in laws apt, also has a country home, but decided to rent something. I think she is fond of me now and wanted me to feel settled. It was much generosity for her to allow me to stay and make all inconveniences for her.
She has some papers to write and wanted to find a place to be inspired. She is a very sweet and kind person. Patrick is going to stay here when he comes back. She & I will be having dinner as soon as I have time.
I need/want to make a plan for Mother’s Day as without my girl, I need to stay busy, so no sad. I am sending Becca to Gramma Gail as a gift from me to my mother and it is a gift Becca can give her mother and grandmother, so a quick trip to LA for my little one.
I probably need to quit shopping. I keep finding things for Becca.. and small treasures to add for all my girls. I have to start sending some things home soon.
It is not, if I will come back to Paris, but when – is September too soon.. oh my.
Love ya’ll to Paris and back again.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chartres and Life in Paris
Time flies when you’re having fun and exploring something you love as much as I love
I remember a few nights ago, I was out on the town for that much awaited well coursed dinner with accompanying live jazz. Plenty of wine and some yummy Cointreau with the dessert designed in St. Tropez…you just know that is going to be sinful.
A couple days ago, I was lunching at St. Michel followed by wandering at
Pariscope – every temporary and permanent exhibit, theater, cinema, walks, meetings, anything going on in Paris, with reminders of all the stuff they didn’t mention. It’s weekly and you have to buy it at a tabac.
American Library – a central point for social/educational events and walks with side tracks to all kinds of other American gatherings.
Shakespeare & Company – English books, someone is always playing piano in back and you don’t have to buy a thing. You can sit down, pick up a book and read. Loved it.
Café Universal – People helping people with anything you need.
I wandered Notre dame and happened upon the mass. That night I ate an apricot and pistachio tart with flan for dinner. Better go back to my theory I told Becca, if I take this whole trip and don’t gain weight, I will be happy. I thought with all the walking, I might lose weight, but it wouldn’t be as much fun if I didn’t splurge.
I am in better shape and walking (or moving my body in some way) 5 out of 7 days a week is the secret for my health.
The last 24 hours were incredible. I now know the metro, short distance and long distance trains. From
I really had no idea what to expect but it was an incredible experience. Mass & music upon arrival followed by a lovely dinner, great conversation and exploring the little village. I was going to bed and heard more music outside, thought I would check it out, only to find a light show on the church with music coming out of speakers everywhere. I have tried to capture some of it for you. I am posting the pictures that are not right, or perfect, or normal, so you can sort of see the spectacle. I didn’t know how to shot this correctly so I was basically exploring.
Perfect petite dejeuner and off to walk the labyrinth. Commentary for this experience will wait for another time, if at all, as I continue to process. Something I wish everyone could experience. Nudged and urged, I took Malcolm’s tour, and that suited me perfectly. I was in awe and spent most of it with my mouth open and probably could have followed him for several hours.
My new friend Lisa is an extremely intelligent woman with a passion for the history of this town and Cathedral, its story and symbolism's within the stories. She is a gifted educator and was the perfect guide for my effortless journey.
Burned down in 853, and several times following, this church stands as a 12th century Medieval Cathedral. I am slightly overwhelmed by the experience… in several ways for several reasons. If you want to know anything about Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral, you can just Google it. The pictures should show the magnificence of it all.
I love taking my long line to my short line to get home tonight. I love being able to stop and get salad rolls and fruit and opening the door to my apartment. I love
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