Further Wanderings

Steak and frites, sunshine and blue skies, enjoying lunch on a boat on the Seine, really, what could be better. Walking all over Paris, breathing it in, learning more French –sometimes there are too many tourists in Paris, wish they would go home.

Evening champagne picnic with all the trimmings. Beautiful spring day in Paris.

Woke up to an Antique Fair across the street at the train station. If I lived here, I would have bought things. Unusual and interesting old furniture, perfect to find a vanity, bureau, side table. Lots of materials, lace, silver, lamps and clocks. International flavor with tables specializing in Japanese, Chinese and Moroccon.

Wandered up to Mouffetard, which is still one of my favorite off the path places. The Pantheon is in my area so I knew eventually I would go. Not so into the religious part of it all, but I very much respect the culture and history that is represented.

Voltair, Rouseau and Descartes are there along with Joan of Arc, Kings. Aside from the crypts, there are walls of vaults. The huge dome ceiling is held by the columns within the structure. Hundreds of years old and standing proud, it was worth the time and the walk.

One small group of friends enjoying dinner on their boat on the Seine. Yummy white asparagus, truly the size we decided of a long skinny penis.. with some vinegarette.. the best. Pasta with too much fresh parmesan, many different wines, salad and tastefully chosen cheeses. New friends, lots of fun conversation, talking about art and the world and eventually even Susan Boyle. I hope my even newer friends become better friends, so I have lots of opportunities to speak French and learn the world that is Paris.

Standing back and wondering why I love Paris and what makes it different from other places, but especially Portland. What makes Paris is the tourists, the visitors, and the wanderers. People from all over the world are here to see and feel what Paris has to offer. The other large cities that I love have it, SF, Vancouver, NY etc... 2.15 million people live within 40 square miles. And with the addition of the tourists, Paris becomes 10X as dense as Manhattan.

Yesterday was another one of those, clean my house, do the wash, change the sheets, pay bills (online) do marketing, reconcile the bank stuff and relax.

I was late getting out today as my landlord Catherine wanted to make sure life was going well and to see what I needed. Nice visit. I love my apartment and am very comfortable. She hasn’t seen me in a couple weeks and says it looks like I have lost weight..

I have now made a list of what I haven’t seen and done in Paris so I can make sure it all gets done. I also have the rest of my out of town activities to do.

Today I actually followed a walking tour out of a book for Champs Elysees and the Arch de Triomphe area. It was my favorite sort of following my nose day, very enjoyable, but windy and cold day. I had a complete mid day lunch, my first, chilled and ate and of course, that moment could not have been better.

Decided as I passed the Andy Warhol exhibit, that I might as well take a look. It was on the pricey side of costs. While a pop art icon, it seems he found something that worked and stuck with it. I guess they all do that which is why it usually revolutionizes art for that period. The coolest part of the exhibit is that every picture was someone famous. I imagine he had a very interesting life, although quite tumultuous as I understand. I didn’t read much or buy anything, but I did read a post that said, he did not care who he painted, it was $25,000 a picture, and he would paint anyone. Really enjoyed the video room with him in different videos, dressed in drag on SNL, some interviews and such.

Walked a lot today. I love Paris. I love stopping and finding what I want to eat all the time. Do you want pizza, crepes with anything, waffles with anything, breads and bakery of every kind. Sandwiches yummy, all kinds, and all the little bistros, with their awnings and heaters, waiting to welcome you for some chillin. I love the metro. I love the rivers and the bridges and that they are part of the event, all were built with huge sidewalk areas to walk. You have queue access to the bottom of the river as well. Love people watching.

None of these people are fat. I can tell an American man as he is wearing washed out jeans and his belly is hanging over his belt. Bums and some old men and some old women are chubby but Parisians are healthy looking, I won’t even say thin because they are all just seem to have healthy looking bodies. No fake boobs, no fake nails, I do not even see many nails which are polished. They are simpler and seem to concentrate on other happiness’s.

With my extended time frame, I guess I am now half way through my journey. I haven’t been this comfortable and inspired by life for years. As always excited for tomorrow.

Btw, the rain that was looming all day waited until I got off the metro and hit my street.

Chillin in Style

Family & friends,

My blog is a privilege to all of us. I get to keep in touch and feel supported and cared for, and you guys get to follow my journeys and know that I am fine.

I can’t write everyday; even every other day will get hard as these next days pass.

It takes more time than you think to write cohesively trying to share just tidbits. Sometimes the picture uploads and transfers to facebook are done twice because of international incidents.

So please, no guilt or telling that you miss the blogs and look everyday and sad if they are not there. I love my fans, and love the comments, support, encouragement, emails, fbmail. I also am doing banking, marketing (which is in excellent shape right now), ordering – not much, but other stuff to do.

My business is doing well. We are holding our own after some 20% dips the first quarter. Martha is doing fabulous at home making it all happen. Thanks for getting the orders out and keeping the customers happy (emails, phone calls, returns). She has to do the whole job or I couldn’t be here. And her hubby put the ‘bluebird’ on my shoulder.

Chillin at the Tuileries

Absolutely beautiful warm spring day in Paris. Batobus over to Tuileries. The French relax so nicely and with style. I took my 1 ft. hot dog on baguette with oven baked fromage and sat and ate and chilled. Been lusting after that for a couple days, I know cause I mentioned it twice to Becca.

The Orangerie is fabulous; very different from all the other museums because it was completely renovated. There are two rooms where the entire walls are a mural of Monet works that was restored. There were many other Monet’s that I had never even seen.

Matisse, Cezanne, Modigliani – I didn’t take many pictures, really had to stick to certain ones or you could spend the whole time taking pictures. Took several Picasso pictures that I also had not seen before.

But, I love Renoir. I forgot how much I love his paintings. They melt and soften me.

Went back to a different part of the gardens, got one of those sacred green chairs and began some serious chillin. I can’t begin to share the thoughts of my soul during the peaceful moments.

Did more shopping, definitely should have listened and brought very little cause I didn’t pack right anyway. And whoever said, actually I read it twice, don’t bring tennis shoes unless your jogging. Everyone is wearing tennis shoes, many fashionable, but many adidas and there are plenty of stores. I bought some pretty cute ed hardys (left mine at home), so I took a special picture of that.

Walked pretty far home and my feet hurt. My special place for salad rolls told me to come back later, she is making fresh for me. I have lots to do.

I am going to be busy but you all know what’s up over here in Paris. I think my long winded time consuming blog last night said it all for me. I am very happy and comfortable in my environment. I am in the groove with a nice base of friends. I know the lay of the land and can meet anyone anywhere, just about, in the city center.

I am going to take a few days off the blog as I am going to be living life, breathing it big time and hopefully completely to busy to write. I want to be too busy to write. I am ready.

So I love you all. Coments on facebook or emails are always nice, even if I am not telling you a story. Going to get my salad rolls. See ya’ll in a few days.

Monet's Garden

Today I am feeling stimulated and exhilarated, like my cup runneth over on the inside.

There’s even some peace and knowing in all that razz mataz.

There is no needy, no sad, no longing, some missing. I am not the same girl I was almost 5 years ago, July 11, 2004. I am more and better, and while the lessons have been tough, I have learned and grown. I have taken my lemons and made some lemonade. I love how I feel and it’s been a long time. I have so much spirit and spunk spilling out of me right now. At least today!

I feel so strong and so whole, like nothing is missing, like I am complete package unto myself. Everything I need is right here, in my heart and in my head.

Yeah, I love this place. Even a month is not enough so I guess I will have to stay longer.

I have things to do, places to go and people to see. Sorry, staying longer.

Yesterday after coffee and croissant on my terrace, I worked, did wash and a few mandatory things. Very relaxing.

Even though I had a half a page of directions and was a little nervous, I went to meet Tony’s friend Lisa. After the Batobus, the one bridge, walking under the other bridge, past the big black boats, I found the 2nd one in and called her, as I really was not sure how to get into her barge. Well you just walk on the other boat and climb over the rails and jump aboard.

I met Lisa and Jillie and their two water policeman friends, Philippe & ??. After some tea and talk, the water police took us out on their huge rubber ‘boat’ to show us some speed. He told me in no uncertain terms to hold on here and hold on there and do not let go. OMG, talk about exciting, and no, if I had let go, I would be in the Seine. If going fast enough to take my sweater off my body wasn’t enough, they dodged in between the Seine wall and the Batobus and the Batomouche until I was screaming and squealing and laughing myself silly. So fun, so cool.

Lisa lives in Oregon and travels back and forth to Paris constantly every month. She rents a room on this boat on the Seine,. It’s a fabulous location and what a way to live. I feel like we made a nice connection and am looking forward to time I can spend with her. I think Jillie is English, not sure though, older, wiser, interesting and has been living on this boat for 35 years. The guys were so nice and we all hit it off and it was a great adventure.

The girls were going shopping so I left there as I had a plan to meet someone I met but never got to spend time with. He called to tell me he would be late. I said what about another day. He said he was leaving the next day for Romania for 2 months. I said bye bye, don’t have time.

Walking towards a metro, I saw H&M, H&M in Paris with a 50% off sale. What else could a girl want since I needed some cooler tops? I brought too many sweater things and not enough COTTON so 6 tops, cotton pants and a dress, a $115 euros, I am so happy. Salad rolls and chicken satay to go.. yummy.

Woke up and did some more work. Got an email from the girls that Philippe called twice last night to find out how to get in touch with me. He asked them to give me his number.

Lisa invited me to go to Chartres next week. It is one of the oldest Cathedrals in Paris. We will travel by train and stay overnight in a B&B. Then we will walk the labyrinth, which apparently is not always available to do. A meditative maze… How exquisite is that? They are also talking about going Saturday to get thai massage and hamam.. wow.

Today was my tour to Giverny and it was everything I wanted it to be. Monet's house was a house and it seemed that everyone was enthralled by it but for me, the gardens were just so magnificent. Knowing all his art and then seeing where he was inspired made the flowers even more special to me. And it was a perfectly beautiful day.

At Giverny, I went off on my own, in my own direction, at my own pace, ‘cause I am a girl who really doesn’t like to hang with the pack.

I met the nicest gal, Joann from Long island. What a kick, we were like two peas in a pod. We gabbed all the way there and all the way back and really enjoyed the heck out of each other. She is full of life, a big family Jewish/Italian, smart and evolved. She had her first daughter the same year I had Becca, and that’s sort of how it started.

I think we will stay connected for the rest of our lives. At least it felt that way today.. whatcha think Joann?

Not sure about tomorrow. I don’t even need to figure it out now. I am great at the metro. I easily use two at a time and figure out how to get most anywhere I want to go.

Jillie’s boat is near Tuileries Gardens, the gardens that attach to the Louvre. Yesterday I wandered in to eat my chocolate crepe, after dumping Jean Francois, and got a few pictures. Then today, I was to meet my tour near the same location. I brought my lunch and wandered through again and took some more. The suits were out, the old people, the whole world, eating their sandwiches and enjoying the day. They have so many lovely places to hang out and eat in the middle of the day, AND they make it a priority to do it.

After the tour, I walked a bit and found a nice café for a salad nicoise before I took my two metros home. Did I mention the home made pistachio ice cream I had at Monets Garden.

While I haven’t tried it or even sure I want to, the bicycle program is very cool. They have stops all over Paris with maybe 15 bicycles. You start a card with a deposit and then you can pick up a bike anywhere for like 2 euros and drop it anywhere there is another block of bikes. So you can pick up and drop off different bikes from different areas at any time day or night. Bicyclists have huge rights here and all main roads, that I have seen, have specifically bike baths.

Did you know in most bathrooms, all cafes & restaurants, the men and women share the same common area of a bathroom? Two stalls, one – sometimes two sinks, so you are waiting with men & women to get into your stall and then ya’ll wash your hands ensemble.

I remember in NY, it seems in the older apartment buildings, you smell everything your neighbors are cooking at every meal. That is the only memory I can compare to living in an old apartment building in Paris. In the beginning, it bothered me some, but now it makes me smile and then I feel like I am home.

Living in an apt. saves a lot on money. With my breakfasts in, lunch on the run $3.10 (today my baguette had cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and goat cheese – thought of you Martha), and usually dinner out, along with transportation costs, I think I am spending about $35 a day.

I have decided to go to Bruges (Belgium). I think I am going Sunday and then London next Wednesday. And there are so many things in between. I want to go to the newly renovated Orangerie which houses the rest of my impressionists along with many more Monets

Feeling Right at Home

My self is happy. I feel at peace, content, proud, filled up, excited, renewed, smart, clever, loved and cared for.

Today I felt like I lived in Paris and it was a perfectly lovely day.

Getting better with the map and the metro and easily found my way across the river to Le Marais without walking, The merchants mostly rest on Sundays but if you wander enough, there is always plenty of things to see and do.

I left my beautiful black cashmere scarf in the cab last night. Interestingly enough, two little shops had two different kinds of what I wanted for around my neck. I walked towards a general area versus looking for a certain street and happened upon a place full of people having brunch.

Yummy. Even though it was cold and rainy, they always have outside covered areas with heaters. My French brunch included my café crème, jus d’orange and a big plate with four little bowls and 3 breads. Cherry tomatoes (halved with dressing), scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, fromage frais avec herbs (not sure what it was, means fresh cheese, tasted like tziki), fruit salad that had been soaking in spices. Two breads were like toast and the other bread was pain perdu. I know it is not ‘lost bread’ but then it was, similar to French toast but no egg, lost in the spices and sugary flavor.

I felt settled with being on my own and enjoyed knowing how far I had come to feel the way I did in that moment.

Already knowing that Georges Pompidou Centre IS open on Sundays, I felt that was a possibility. Modern Art is not my thing but part of my art knowledge includes Matisse, Picasso & Chagal and I had no previous knowledge of Kadinsky, which was the special exhibit, and of course the center itself is an amazing structure. Kadinsky, I tried to feel his passion, see his flow and understand his pov, but I really thought Arthur & Becca could have come up with some stuff like that. But the point was that it was a point of view and very much different from what had come before. Like Pollack, don’t we all think we could make one of those pictures.

Following my nose in the late afternoon, the sun was out and tout monde etait dehors. All kinds of little stores were opened and I frolicked in & out, picking up some goodies and gifts. Cruised towards the river and enjoyed watching and listening and wandering home. Stopped for all kinds of yummy fruit, cheese, water and staples. I found myself getting home from pretty far away, by foot – not directly on the river, without ever looking at my map.

Happy to be home, munching on some yummies and I am really happy about my relaxed Parisian style.

Last night was interesting. I felt pretty nerdy taking my own picture before I went out so I could have a dress up picture. Calling a cab as Catherine directed did not work and finally got one on the street. He crashed into a bus upon our approach to Moulin Rouge, so my entrance did not go unnoticed.

Moulin Rouge is very much like a fancy Vegas show, except French and small boobies. The cattle call to get in and eat dinner was not an exquisite event but I made fabulous friends with the table next door.

No cameras allowed last night or at Kadinsky. I found out at the end of the exhibit that cameras were allowed on the other floors, so grabbed ya’ll a few Picassos.

Tomorrow I need to clean my house and do some business from home. Tony turned me on to a friend – girl, who lives mostly in Oregon and travels to Paris once a month for a week. Too much flying for me. Anyway, we are getting together tomorrow. She lives on a barge and I am meeting her there. Tuesday I am going to Giverny to visit Monet’s home. I am going to reserve something cool again for this weekend, dinner on the Seine and Illumination Tour, I think.

I have calmed my pace but there is so much to do. Pretty sure I am going to stay longer so I can do all the things I want to do. I still have to go to Versailles, Champagne Tour, London and am thinking probably Normandy since everyone says it is a cool tour.

I really don’t want to rush through this. My goal was to immerse myself so I could calmly live it, be it, breath it and become Parisian.

Sorry to be long winded. I don’t expect anyone to read it all, except maybe my girl and my mom, but am grateful that everyone is enjoying.

Flowers & Art

Well it seems that everyone misses my adventures but there are only so many hours in a day. I am once again exhausted. While it is everything fabulous, it is hard work, lots of walking, too many people everywhere, not to mention, for me, talking french is somewhat challenging and tiring. I have lost so much french, it is really difficult. The French all think I speak well but I am pretty sure that is because they are use to Americans who cannot speak at all.

So yesterday i started out with the idea that I would do nothing. I packed all my goodies for a picnic, brought a book, my postcards, camera etc and went to the jardin de plantes, next door, actually something in my neighborhood.

I enjoyed a couple hours quiet and alone until i met Stephane. I noticed him as he was singing to someone on the phone. Then a huge gust of wind, HUGE, blew billions of cherry blossoms towards us, we looked at each other and laughed and he said something about it was like winter snow. On parle un peu.

Briefly, he is doing his practicum at the hospital to become a psychologist. Ironically, or not, he works with cancer patients. After chatting a bit, he asked me if I wanted to go do something with him when he was done with a couple of patients. OK, why not, let's try again.

Met him later and we really enjoyed a nice evening. We went on the RER, train, not metro, to have a drink. We went for yummy express sushi and then to the movie.. American, in English.. the new Tommy Lee Jones movie. It was all very relaxing and a whole lot of fun and I got to speak oodles of french. He brought me home, he knew my fear of being lost, and then turned around to go home outside of Paris. We have a plan for a picnic at Versailles on Sunday.

So today, I used Becca's museum pass and went to Musee D'Orsay. I am somewhat an art snob, I like what I like, period. I suppose we are all like that. Things haven't changed, I still like what I like - mostly Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Renoir, Lautrec and Pissaro. These have been my artists of choice my entire life. Fell for Pissaro 10 or so years ago in NY. When I saw Monet's haybales, it made me cry. I am sure I was the only one in the musee crying, some things touch my heart and there is nothing I can do...just me, still and always the 'big emotion' girl. It was all quite lovely but i must say that we have had some very nice visiting displays in Portland. There were no Lilly Pads, but I heard they are in the Louvre. I think since I have seen all Impressionist art everywhere from NY to SF, I was not overwhelmed by the amount.

I was tired, can't seem to get untired. On my way home, since I hadn't eaten and becca seems to have some concern that i actually eat more than bread & ham, really why, I went for a nice meal.

Enjoyed beef bourgogne, super yummy with wine sauce and potatoes, and I ate every bite. Since I have only been eating packaged orange choc cookies, I decided to grab a fresh tart on the way home for later. Tough life in Paris..

So I am home early, very tired. Going to quickly do this blog, put up the pics and watch a movie. Nan sent me with some good ones and have enjoyed them all.

Serendipity Day After Tomorrow Family Man (really enjoyed that) Made of Honor

Any ideas how to make my body not ache or my feet not swell. Why am I so tired, this is not for the faint of heart. I have to get to the Louvre tomorrow on my 2 day pass, only really interested in the Impressionists..sorry but it's what I like.

I apologize in advance but it is very hard to get pictures in the museum, I did not always have time to frame properly.. my biggest surprise was to see Whistler's Mother, not because it is one I like, but OMG, it is Whistler's Momma..so famous.

Saturday night is my very fancy and exciting dinner & show at Moulin Rouge.

Here is my menu which comes with half a bottle of champagne. It is a dressy event.

Mise en Bouche

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Foie Gras de Canard, Figue Confite

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"Nage" de Coquilles Saint-Jacques au Vouvray

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Filet de Boeuf "Rossini", Pommes Gaufrette

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Braisage de Daurade "Dugléré"

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Fromage de Chèvre Frais aux Raisins

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Coupe "Martini" aux Fraises, Sorbet Litchee

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Panna-Cotta au Chocolat Blanc, Sauce "Cacao Noir"

A Regular Parisian

Cafe et du pain avec apricot jam.. on my terrace to start the day.

I successfully took the metro to see Musee Rodin.

Since I walked a mile from there, I treated myself to a chocolate bread I have never seen before. I am never going to lose weight like this.

Rodin was relaxing and perfect. I loved it and got some nice pictures for everyone. The hardest part of getting a photo opp is waiting patiently (without cursing under your breath) for people to not be part of my picture. I found the audiolog very useful and was one of the geeks who listened to everything. The museum displayed at least 25 times as many pieces as I am showing. I only memorialized the ones that spoke to me.

I meandered in the garden and it felt wonderful. I spent the entire afternoon.

Afterwards I used my map to find St Germain, seems to be one of my favorite places. I was determined to find a particular metro back so I get easily get to and from that area with ease. It is right there where I have been before but could not find it. It is almost 6pm, and I am getting use to my pastis and people watching so I settle in. I decide, since salade nicoise is on the menu, to have dinner.

I am very tired once again. It is that time of the month (TMI) so I am sure it is physiological and I am not worried, but am sick of being tired. I am completely proud of myself for getting where I wanted to go today, casually finding my way to dinner, 'chillin' without the armor of a book or otherwise, and found my way home.

I successfully took the metro back and as I was walking home, I was thinking that I was feeling very Parisian.

Enjoy the pictures. Thanks again for all the encouraging emails and facebook notes. It means alot to me and has become a part of my daily ritual.

The 7th Day is For Rest

God said the 7th day is for rest, did he? Well Becca said, I probably need some rest.

Couldn't get to sleep until almost 3am last night, might have been the 2 hour skype with my girl. I woke up at 9am, the earliest yet, and felt fairly rested. I have been thinking of a nap for the last couple hours but not gonna do it. I think I will get to bed tonight at some reasonable hour and I think i will now be on Paris time. I have heard it takes about a week to truly adjust to a new time zone. I feel adjusted.

My body and mind are slightly worn out. I did a fabulous job of wandering this week. Wish i had a pedometer, but I am sure i walked 20 - 25 miles.

I have a pretty good feel for the city now. Of course, I found out, the busiest time, ever in Paris is April 4 -14th for Easter/Spring Break. Well that is over today and the city should calme un peu.

Since I am normally a homebody and work alot, I am really not used to being on the run, or shall I say, walking for 8-10 hours in a day.

So my girl encouraged me to hang at home. I am catching up on work, emails, postcards, a little clean up, got some groceries, watching some videos, even listening to a little cnn.

What were my groceries today - just about the same yummy french things that cost so much at home but are so cheap here. A whole round of brie is 2 euros, my special cookies another couple euros,already told you about the fabulous apricot jam. Let's not forget the very large jar of cornichons for 2 E.. so happy at home in paris eating bread, brie, jambon, cornichons, cafe chocolate with orange choc cookies..haha, and I am losing weight.

Yesterday, hmm, I had a nice adventure, Samy took me places i would not have normally seen, so that will be the photos for today. We had mostly a nice day but he got very forceful and pushy and did not listen so eventually i ditched him. Too bad, tant pis, he wanted to take me everywhere, he wanted to take me to London this weekend and Versailles next week...

To make the whole boring long story short, I do not appreciate pressure from men, I can understand why a man would want to kiss someone in a romantic spot at a special moment, but i do not understand forcing a tongue in your mouth, and to continue such behavior after being asked to stop. There was more, but not necessary to rehash. Anyway Becca says this is somewhat normal if someone is into you, and guessing from my past, I guess it is somewhat normal for me, but it's not where I am at right now. And after talking with my girl last night, I think i was just not that into him.. got to have that vibe.

La Defense is amazing. It is the largest commercial area in Paris, nicknamed "le petit Manhattan". I have never seen these kind of buildings in Paris. The Boit de Bologne is another part of Paris, I never knew existed,, outside space - for running, cycling, picnics, lovely with the little waterfall.

Not a huge plan for tomorrow, non plus. I think i am going to wander to Rodin's Garden and Museum. Wed & Thurs, I am going to use my museum pass and see the Orsay and at least Mona Lisa and a couple impressionists at the Louvre.

I am very excited as I have reserved Moulin Rouge for a very fancy dinner and show Saturday night. Next week, I think I need the Champagne tour and probably going to Giverny.

So glad my girl gave me good advise as i am feeling relaxed and I think it is true that the 7th day is for rest... I have no idea how or why anyone would/could do Paris in 10 days or 2 weeks.

All of Paris Hit the Streets Today

Tonight I am sitting here shaking my head. I haven’t even gone inside to see anything yet, but I feel like I am going at high speed. There is so much going on, I can hardly take it all in, well I can’t. The whole world was out today.

I had to get to the Marais, that is where I have been before. I am not sure what I did when I was here before, not much, I can assure you. My depressing fog was bigger than I now remember.

Missed the batobus by a second and was absolutely not going to wait 20 minutes. So off I went for my biggest walk yet. Across Pt. Sully, Notre Dame in the distance, it is clear and sunny and the world is walking with me. There are small markets everywhere but I am headed towards Place de Vosages. I got strawberries at one and kiwis at another. Found some bread and water and found a place to ‘chill’. I am a good student, don’t ya think, Miss Becca?

Down Rue St. Antoine which continues as Rivoli, a street where everything is happening, even more than St Germain & Latin Quarter. I grabbed some shots of Hotel de Ville for y’all while I was passing by. But the coolest was Centre George Pompidou, and the whole area surrounding it. Of course I got there right at the end of this demonstration. The the artist completed his work at the same moment I walked up to the area. Apparently he painted this piece upside down, but all I saw was the canvas spinning around, until it stopped and their was a huge gasp from the crowd. I understand that no one had any idea what he was painting until it was unveiled at the precise second I walked up.

There are so many bustling little alleys with bistros and such, I could not decide which way to go. I mean really, how do you decide to go this way or that, when they all look splendorous. I honestly could not take it in. I stood almost frozen with anticipation feeling like a kid in a candy store. Looking at the map and staying close to the Seine, I just keep going. The pictures will tell more than my words could ever tell tonight.

I must learn the metro. I got lost on my way home and felt very frustrated and a little anxious again. If I weave too much inland, I cannot figure out which metro to take. I finally decided to go back to the Seine but the Batobus line was 3 boats long. I walked the whole 40 minutes back to this area. I would not stay in this area again as it is a little far away from most things.

So I was very late to start my night out but decided to go forth. Got ready to go and was feeling good and realized it was raining, not misty but rainy. So glad I had my trench and umbrella cause I was going for another 15 minute walk, and then I got lost. I purposely left my map and Paris book because I knew exactly where I was going… ha, best laid plans. I asked a couple people who directed me, as it turned out, in the wrong direction. I got so nervous and slightly panicked I almost turned around and went home. I mean there was hardly any light left and I could not figure out where I was going. It was sort of like the scene in Made of Honor, where she is lost on the rainy road with all the cows.. lol.

Crossing the street, Samy saved the day. He did not know where exactly I was going but was willing to walk with me and see if we could find it. He knew I had a previous engagement but wanted to leave me safely. I was more concerned now with figuring out how to get home without my map so he ran back a few blocks to his car to get one for me. Of course, he offered to take me home or drive me somewhere and I just kept saying, I do not know you. After he gave me the map, I knew exactly how to go from there. We spent about 20 minutes together and had some nice conversation, but since I have met so many crazies, I am not trusting of my instincts whatsoever.

But finally I agree to meet him at the Tour Eiffel at 1pm for lunch and take his number. I have taken a couple numbers but I think I will call and meet him for lunch. As I said to Becca, he is close to my age, nice looking, fairly trim, works in a bureau, lives in paris, has a car and GPS, I can have a lunch. He was very polite, considerate and not pushy. Unlike the cute drunk French guy I met this afternoon that wanted to take me for a drink. We also had some nice conversation but he had already been drinking some and I was not feeling the vibe.

Ok, so I have to go to bed but let’s not forget the restaurant owner, who I think is actually the manager. He was not there when I got there but came and sat with me a couple times, in between being busy. He has family in NY and comes to the US several times a year. LA ladies, you are going to love this, he is an artist and an actor… he is cute, close to my age and a james dean type, loves Harleys and drives all over the us.. a real bad boy. I will visit him again as we had very nice conversations, but I was really worn out and ready to take my walk back, with my special map (its actually a little book) that Samy said was a ‘cadeaux’.

What goes up must come down.

Sort of manic when you think about it. Jet lag sucks.

Woke up feeling creaky, stiff, achy and old. This much walking would have been easier last year when I was running. I am out of shape.

BUT, it is 9pm, I am in and have eaten and am already feeling like I might be tired at my normal bedtime. Last night, I had to take an ambien at 2am to get to sleep. So there is the big news from Paris.. the old creaky gal is in on her first wild & crazy Friday night in Paris.

BUT, I have plans for tomorrow night. I forgot to mention the owner of the restaurant where I ate last night. Don’t know his name but before my Oregonians dropped in, we were having nice French conversation. I definitely have not gotten to speak enough French yet, isn’t that odd? But as I was leaving and saying good night to Brian & Doug, he came to say good night and told me he would be especially welcome if I came back Saturday night for live blues. So my plan tomorrow is to walk far beyond where that restaurant is, and eat at the square at a choice of 6 or so fabulous places, and then walk home and stop for blues.

I read in one of my books that Galleria Lafayette had a fashion show on Fridays at 3 pm and since my mom can not stop talking about this place, I decided to get up there by 3pm today.

Yummy baguette avec jambon on my way to the Batobus, oh my gosh, I am already in a rut. Got off at the Louvre and wandered the gardens. The galleria is behind the Opera House on Ave de l’Opera, a bit of a walk. I walk up to guest service in perfect time but was told that I needed a reservation and deposit. HHmmm..oh well, guess I am going to tour this place. Sorry, not my thing, maybe with Becca on a crazy whim, but there were too many people, too much stinky perfume, very expensive clothing, and very stuck up sales people..well of course, it’s Dior and Chanel and Fendi and whomever I could care less about.

Anyway, while I was walking up to the galleria, I saw people on the roof..so decided I would try to find my way up there.. almost as hard as finding a toilet..not bathroom.. so odd to say “ou est la toilet”, even in French, it’s a toilet. The view from the roof was worth the walk and the fashion show debacle. And as you can see from the pictures, the store itself is phenomenal..but the view, wow..

Ok moving on, I continue the art of ‘chilling’ in the Place nearby, and although my café was 8 euros, I got a chocolate with it. Walked back via Place de Vendome, went back a different way through Place de Concord, which were the statues from yesterday, and wandered back through the gardens. People were out even though the weather was iffy all day, light sprinkles on and off. I decided to take the Batobus home, probably should have taken the Metro, as it stopped everywhere and took an hour of boating..but very good for people watching.

Stopped on the way back for a very nice dinner, have also been enjoying a pastis/pernod/ricard before my meals.. haven’t done that in years. And that’s it, probably does not sound too exciting but I learned a little more about Paris and I think this sleep thing is about over.

I love the way the people line the river bank, in groups or duos or whatever, everywhere. Public drinking must be legal as people openly have beer, wine, champagne – it’s kinda cool. I want to have a picnic on the river or in the Tuilleries Gardens at the Louvre with some champagne.

It is so cosmopolitan. Today the guy that took my picture was from Argentina. I also met a very nice couple from England. Briefly talked with a girl from Isreal. When she figured out where I was from, she said, “you like us”, as if it were a question. I hear every language from German to Spanish to China and back.

All the cafes, bistro, brasserie’s are full in the middle of the day but not so much at night. They are very serious about their lengthy mid day meal.

I can only say again that Paris is unbelievable and absolutely breathtaking. Everywhere you look, in every single cubby on the outside of the Louvre walls, are those statutes. I took only one picture but there must be 50…

Please be sure to look at the Paris album on Facebook. I am only posting a few pictures, assuming you will go look if you are interested.

Special shout out to Martha for taking care of everything so well. She is making it possible for me to be here.

a demain...

















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Uncroyable

Today I am feeling happy, joyful, excited, inspired, and slightly awe struck. Feeling so good, it's oozing out of me. It's been awhile since I really felt this way, down to my core.

I did so much better today. Of course, the amazing sunshine and spring day answered last night’s prayer. A little less tired, I got myself out earlier. I now have personal taxi service with Batobus for 5 days. 20 euros, a great way to travel and it stops everywhere. There was absolutely no way I was going inside on such a perfect spring day. I stopped at Champs Elysees, which are the pictures for today. The flowers are blooming everywhere; there is so much to take in. Every building is ornate and fascinating, so many outside sculptures.

Becca reminded me last night of the finer art of ‘chilling’. I enjoyed today’s Coca on the edge of the Seine. Met Bev, her friend and her very knowledgeable artsy son and enjoyed lots of great conversation, Californians. Since I love the Impressionists, which is why I am more excited to go to Musee D’Orsey than the Louvre, they have encouraged me to go to Giverny, Monet’s home.. so cool..

My next stop was St Germain. Wow..I cannot even explain the fabulous energy. Amazing hustle and bustle and even though I had a long way to walk back, I kept stopping just to take in the energy. Since all I had was my baguette avec jambon et fromage, I stopped at one of the street vendors and got a crepe...nutella with banana, yummers! I also stopped to chill over a biere..no olives or nuts tonight.

I took the metro home from St Germain. That will take some getting use to but I love it. I had to go out a couple of wrong staircases to Sortie but I got home. A subway system is an amazing and complicated system. I love it.

So my issue that Becca helped me get over yesterday, other than ‘chillin.. hang on, isn’t it great that I can have such a super fabulous daughter who is so smart and worldly and loving and giving to her momma ..all the time. I did something right, that is for sure.

Anyway, my ‘issue’ was that I was anxious about getting home after dark…so I was worried about going away from here because then I would have to come back after dark.

Oh yeah, momma is getting her groove on.. walked back to Moufettard, quiet quant bustle.. and had a light supper. I may have mentioned but I have never eaten out alone at night, well there must be an exception, but I don’t. Before I left Nan said to bring a book and read while I eat. I brought my book the first night and glanced at it now and then but mostly just stared out the window.

So interesting, becca sent me with Sex in the City DVD’s and last nights episode was about ‘faking it’. Of course the obvious woman faking it, I mean it is SITC.. but you know Carrie, there is always more to it..so there is all kinds of faking it, but part of it was being single and being comfortable with being single. Could she be out without an event, her friends or a man…blah blah, in the end, she proved to herself that she had pride in where she was in life, and she did not need the armor (as she says) of books or work or something to busy herself as if it were not enough to just be. So I had the full intention of doing that tonight so I left my book at home, walked into the night without fear of getting home.

My bravery was rewarded by meeting Brain and Doug from Portland, OR who happen to sit down right next to me. I hope it was their curiosity in knowing me but I babbled my way through my dinner and theirs. They were both such nice men. OK miss becca, very small world, Brian went to SOU and his first job was a claims adjuster, he is now a lawyer for insurance companies. Very nice, very handsome, married with two little ones at home. Doug, maybe 15 years his senior and long time friend, was married to a French woman and was here visiting his ex inlaws, lovely… sort of like me visiting Arthur this summer so we can see his brother Karl. I really enjoyed both of their company. Doug was smart, worldly, interesting but seemingly wounded, physically and possibly of the heart. They made my dinner perfect and encouraged me that I was completely safe to walk home. I walked, no, I strolled, with confidence and a spring in my step and a bluebird on my shoulder.

I had an absolutely fabulous day. Everyone is very friendly and I meet people easily. My mom is wrong, you cannot see everything in Paris in a month. This is the most incredible city, it is much more than NY, LA or Chicago, it has a few years on us. And since, you can go everywhere so quickly from here, London or Amsterdam, and then all the great day trips to Versailles or Normandy, I think one could keep busy for months.

It’s just all too exciting. I am posting my pics on facebook.

I am leaving my email here today as I managed to get a couple cards but did not give mine out.

debinor at comcast.net and Debbie Hill Hendrickson on facebook

I am wired again tonight and did not have caffeine since this afternoon. Doug says this is part of jet lag and it will change soon. I am a lucky girl and very happy.

.

Ok so today was a little strange. Woke up after 8 hours sleep but still really tired. I did a bunch of emails and random things, and felt so tired. Thought if Becca was in Paris, she would not have gotten up at 8:30, so at 10:30, I laid down for a nap - 3 hours later..uh oh. So the jet lag gets you no matter what. Took awhile to get myself showered and around after napping, but I ventured forth. The morning was cold, windy, gloomy and rainy so napping was probably good anyway.

Catherine sent me to Rue de Moufettard, so off I went. Great place, left pics in my Paris photo album. Had a biere and then wandered and then had a pernod, oh yeah, momma's on the loose. I love that they give you a little small bowl of olives and one of nuts.

Observations today -

French girls walk and smoke and I decided it looks kinda sexy so I am putting a kibash (spell that) on the no walking and smoking rule.

I saw 3 to 1 men with babies, pushing strollers etc than woman. Maybe there are more men out of work so they are primary caretakers, so cute.

I am not sure of the short shorts with black tights look however I can handle the too tight of jeans tucked into boots.

The city is bigger than I remember and it is a lot of walking.

People have very strong views about our government and many do not understand, nor do I.

Even though it is cold and windy, people sit outside to drink their drinks - how come we can't have more outside stuff in Portland. Oh and very few know Oregon but they sure know California.

The patisseries are phenominal and I didn't go in one today, too busy drinking.

I felt bad that i didn't do more today but I did enjoy my day and learn more about where I am.

I hope the weather clears soon.

Paris Arrival

Exhausted but happy, slightly overwhelmed, feeling my age. 30 hours later, I am here.

I am not sure where I am but I know I am minutes from the Seine.

My mail won't send, the electrics are weird, they turned off my water when I got here, I am in the city. The policia are next door so there are constant sirens and the train rattles the tracks across the street. Dreary and raining, common here, did I hear it was 75 degrees in Portland yesterday...

I was so tired I couldn't think so I took a nap.

This place is bigger than i remembered. I am too tired to write but want everyone to know that the bluebird has landed.

The Pantheon is out my front window..

Anticipation

In 36 hours I will be leaving for Paris. The anticipation builds asI find myself closer to starting this adventure I have been working towards for 3 years. While I see this as a closing of one chapter, others tell me that it is opening a new one. So I will compromise and say that this will be a huge transition for me in this particular moment of my life. During grief, it becomes a strange notion to be/feel/say that I am lucky or happy, but moving past that phase for me, I can honestly say that I am a very lucky girl and at a very happy place in my life.

I will miss everyone and hopefully will be having too much fun to stay too much in touch.

I heard that this is not getting to everyone. I will post a note with the url on facebook so i will for sure know you get this. I will be posting pictures and pieces of Paris for you to enjoy along with me.

a bientot