The first time I visited Paris as a young girl I fell in love. They say it is "the city of love" and it was the city itself that I fell in love with. At that moment my dream of one day living in Paris began. Now, 32 years into my life, I have made the dream come true! At the same time I am writing a book from this beautiful city in my attempt to fulfill another lifelong dream. I hope you will enjoy following my journey!
31 August, 2011
Breakfast in Paris: Tomorrow is now Yesterday
Tomorrow is now Yesterday
17 August, 2011
Six Moins...
Paris from Montmarte |
Le Louvre from the sky |
I love it here, you may have guessed. I love way the French are so open to life and laughter. I love the flowers in the window boxes and the random parks that seem to call to you to take a load off. I love the fast pace of the streets, the slow pace of the market, and the way the city has no problem closing down for a month so everyone can vacation. I love that there are 2 months out of the year everything is on sale. I love that the city doesn’t really wake up until 11 and if you are out before that it is like having it all to yourself. I love that I can go and see a movie in an outdoor park and enjoy a bottle of wine with my friends. I love that they ship in sand to make a beach along the Seine every summer. I love that a proper meal takes three hours and that the service staff are rarely in a big rush. I love the way the French language sounds when coming from little kids. I love that you can be in the country in 30 minutes for a calm day outside the city.
Paris Plage |
26 July, 2011
Breakfast in Paris: In my Element!
In my Element!
Right now, this very minute, I am sitting on my terrace – the sound of local kids running on the streets, a dog barking in the distance just past the overwhelming sound of urgent cars. An emergency vehicle goes by as usual and it sounds like maybe the dog barks at its bumper. I hear the air being let out of the tires of a bus stopping to pick up commuters. The sky is overcast, as it has been the last 3 weeks and the air a perfect combination of warm and cold as if there may not be any air at all. Only a hint of a breeze comes my way.
I have just returned from St. Germain en Laye, a suburban town about 45 minutes outside of the city. My best friend here in Paris, Alison, has the pleasure of being employed here in France which means that she and every other employed Parisian will be taking the month of August off. No, you did not read wrong - this is the absolute, beautiful, truth. The end of the French year is July. Most folks don’t even make it through July to be honest. But by late July every family has found their au pair for the following year (of course that means Septembre through Mai), their children have finished up their brief summer activities, bags have been packed, white window shutters securely latched up tight or (more than likely) flats rented out.
The abundance of available apartments in Paris during July and August is immense. While the intelligent Parisians leave the city behind they rent out their flats to the unassuming tourists who will come to the city and find that is has closed down for the month. No matter to the landlord, they have their overpriced rent in pocket and have taken it with them, along with their family, to a beach in the south of France or to Spain or Greece. Anywhere that is not here.
I wonder what we are doing wrong in America? We may be a “free” country but the grand majority of American’s are under a dictatorship – forced under a regime that dictates mealtimes, bathroom breaks, telephone calls, even doctors appointments – the workplace. I can’t help but think we have it all wrong in the US. Where is the “life” in our lives?
13 July, 2011
All in a days Walk
21 June, 2011
Small World, Tiny Paris
31 May, 2011
...just, how it is.
16 May, 2011
Weeks of Days
Quiche Lorraine by St. Estauche |
From inside one of the many courtyards |
Perfection! |
15 May, 2011
Stade de France
05 May, 2011
Will and Kate get married!
Then, suddenly, a hush came over the crowd and all eyes focused on the flat screens on the wall. It was starting.
28 April, 2011
Kickball and Catholics
Yes, I will admit it – there have not been enough blogs this month. But please do allow me an excuse. I have been spending even more time on writing my book – the purpose of this move, as you know. And of course I have been very busy simply living a fabulous Paris existence.
Yesterday I played kickball with a group of Americans and Brits. After having taken the Metro to the outskirts of Paris we walked 20 minutes to a large field of overgrown grass in the center of a massive park. Before divvying up the teams we sat down to enjoy a picnic. The 50 members of the group broke into smaller sub-groups like one may see in a high school cafeteria to enjoy lunch. Each picnicker contributed something different: brique cheese, crackers, pasta with crabmeat, homemade tartines, chocolate crisps and wine of course.
Finally managing to get motivated we formed teams and began the game.
The Brits required the Americans help, this game being literally foreign to them. They caught on quickly to this version of America’s pass time. After an hour of rowdy play we ended our game. 11-6, my team won! This thrills me and satisfies my intensely competitive nature.
Then, out of nowhere we heard thunder and the clouds closed in. Thanking the unpredictable weather of Paris for allowing us sunshine for the game we packed up the empty Tupperware, half eaten blocks of cheese, wine bottles and beer cans. I made it to the Metro just before the clouds gave way to the rain.
Leaving the metro back in the city the ground was dry and the sky clear, the rain having missed my part of Paris. I marched upstairs, forfeiting the luxury of the elevator, then settled in for a relaxing night. I am reminded I have to water my seeds.
Anyone who knows me is aware that I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, have a green thumb. But a perfect Parisian terrace like mine deserves some foliage. I had enlisted help from my Thad during his visit last week and together we planted seeds of Thyme, Rosemary, and Sage. I figure they aren’t alive yet so I can’t kill them. But I must remember to water the seeds if I want them to grow. A seemingly simply task one would think. Not for me. I needed a way to remember. So I made a deal with myself that I would think to check on the seeds when I miss him. This seems to be working so far as I already see a few green buds popping through the soil.
Now I just hope I don’t OVER water them.
Last Sunday was my first Easter Sunday in Paris. Upon my father’s request and my desire I attended, sort of, the Easter Sunday mass at Cathedral Notre Dame. The line to attend the mass resembled a ticket line for a Broadway show instead of a religious ceremony. The hopeful worshipers wore their Sunday best in the line that wrapped around the watchful eyes of the gargoyles on the spires above. I found it so strange that during the 45 minutes I stood in line I heard not one person speaking French while waiting to attend the French service. The parishioners must tire of the tourists invading their space of worship. It is a house of God turned into a tourist attraction. I justify my presence however by the fact I am a Paris resident.
After the long wait the long line starts to move, slowly at first then at a rapid almost sprinting pace. Suddenly the Broadway like queue has become a pushy rushed entrance to a rock concert. Wow, people really wanted in. Bodies pushed against bodies, shoving each other even. God must either be thrilled at this turnout of eager Christians and their determination to attend the mass or terribly disappointed that they have come to observe it as an attraction rather than a way to hear his word. I am guilty of both on this day.
Once inside I see what all the fuss is about. It is majestic, the choir rejoices and their sound fills every corner of the chiseled stones. In the center of the Cathedral the pews are filled with those who were in the front of the line while others stand in the aisles. But the periphery, where it is difficult to see the Priest even on the many televisions set up intermittently, is bustling like a farmers market. There are hushed voices and cameras flashing. I will admit I was a bit ashamed to be standing amongst the chatty edges of the service. It, to me, seems disrespectful and downright rude to chat whilst a service is in progress. Maybe that is just the Presbyterian upbringing in me.
I had to squint my eyes to the bright sun upon exiting the most frenetic service of my life. I then went to treat myself to an Easter croque monsieur which, incidentally, turned out to be the best one I have had since moving here. It was a perfect Easter meal if I must miss out on Lox, Stock and Bagel, which my family would no doubt be enjoying 9 hours from then after their church service.
Leaving you now with the promise that the busy few days ahead of me will be shared with you in a blog early next week.