I thankfully and wholeheartedly agree with the Jane Austen quote above (yeah, she's my girl). But when I think of Paris, I sigh.
...Aaahhh.
Even now, I have to confess, that if I ever get the chance to see dear Pah-ree again,
I would still be giddy with delight.
I have no doubt of how Paris romanced me and won me over....
and for those of you who have visited the City of Lights or have simply dreamed of her from afar you may understand.
The other night was a slow quiet night so my hubby and I indulged in two movies on TV, while we pattered about with work and home cares. Now, we had seen these movies before and even own them: Julie & Julia
and Amelie.
Oh, boy...this was not what I needed. Seeing Paris dance before my eyes in the way it won over Julia Child and the whimsy and magic of Amelie, brought back sweet, sweet memories.
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| Montmatre photo courtesy of Centrury 21, naw, it's mine, just a bad angle |
When I first went to Paris (also my first trip "abroad"...sounds so fancy-schmancy said that way) in 1993, I was college-age and stayed there for 9 weeks in the summer (my heart flutters to remember it) with a missions group. I was the perfect picture of a fish out of water....small town Texas born and raised, just a year of High School French under my belt, and all I knew of Paris went like this: Eiffel Tower,
Hunchback of Notre Dame,
Phantom of the Opera,
cafes,
Louvre,
and Monet.
But boy, the experience changed me. No, not as a whole new person but it awoke my wonder with new tastes, cultures (as we met people from so many different places) and history. I came away from that summer wanting to know Paris more and with an understanding of Gertrude Stein's quote: "America is my country but Paris is my hometown." I surprisingly felt at home.
My very first experience in Paris knocked my senses silly. You see, in order to help keep jet lag at bay and orient us to our new surroundings, our group gathered together for a briefing picnic in the local park (the elegant, green and underrated Parc Montsouris).
And as I felt the soft grass beneath me, I found I could barely concentrate of the info. My taste buds were being barraged by the best bread ever (baguettes), REAL butter, flavorful jams, wonderful chocolates, crisp tasty market bought veggies, and creamy cheeses.
I remember hearing my teammates "yumming" themselves silly too, with each new bite. Then the cooling breezes wafting about us, on the sunny summer day, the hum of the visitors in the park chatting, children playing, the distant din of the traffic in the busy city around us....DING DONG! my senses told me, you are truly in PARIS.
So, here is an eclectic assortment of Paris moments from me to you, should you choose to enjoy, reminisce, and daydream. ......there are only 5, 6, okay, 7 things to picture:
1. Carry a Baguette:
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| If I could, I would add smell-o-vision to this photo |
Though the "idea" of fast food is looked down on by the French (cuz, see it is an American invention), it is a common sight to see Parisians carrying along a "snack" baguette freshly purchased from a boulangerie (bread makers) or patisserie (pastry shop) found on almost every block in Paris. I remember carrying an armload of early morning, warm, tender crisp, and deliciously fragrant baguette loaves in my arms for our mission group's jam and butter breakfast at our dorm (Cite Universitaire). Now that sense memory most decidedly walloped me, and screams "Paris!" to me.
2. Have a picnic: as often as possible, take your food to a spot, make it your spot. Grab a suitable grocery/market collection of cheese, sausage, fruit, bread, and juice/water and don't forget a pastry treat.
Feast in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, enjoy your Gyros along the banks of the Seine,
devour an ice cream in the leisure of one of Paris's famous Jardins (gardens/parks),
indulge in a sweet or savory crepe from a street stall (I never had a bad one) whilst sitting on one of Paris pedestrian bridges overlooking the Seine...take it in. My favorite spots: Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc des Buttes Charmont, and Parc Montsouris....my goodness almost anywhere will do, you're in Paris!
3. Enjoy Paris from a rooftop/view: Of course the Eiffel Tower is a must,
the top of L'Arc de Triomphe, the steps of Sacre Coeur cathedral, from the roof of Notre Dame, or even the Cafe top of the dazzling Galleries Lafayette.
Go ahead pinch yourself, you're really there. I pinched myself silly and would do it all over again, aahhh:
4. Wander....here is where the magic is. My first true wandering in a neighborhood was through La Marais, along the narrow cobblestone rues, with artisan shops and quiet cafes, to the lovely and well known Place des Vosges...with its neatly situated open square with trickling fountain.
5. Sit at a cafe...yeah, I did it; even ordered a coffee (uh, 'scuse me, cafe viennoise) and I didn't even like coffee at the time..It was of course somehow better in Paris, and I did the "Sabrina"-thing and wrote in my journal....it was lovely.
6. Shop....I never had the nerve or proper attire ("money") to saunter into any high end shop, but each time I have been to Paris I have purchased either a scarf, inexpensive accessory,
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| Cheesey, cute, cheap and all mine, and yep, I got them in Paris |
or print and keep it on display as a cheering reminder of my visit. No matter where you go, to say that you went "shopping in Paris" has a sophisticated ring to it, N'est-ce pas.
7. Ahh, museums galore...just sit and ponder a work of art: The first time I visited the Musee D'Orsay I was taken aback by the elegant interior...the former train station turned museum, all grand and wowza,
is bathed in the proper natural light to gaze dreamily at world renowned impressionist art, and I recall that the main entrance hall of sculptures, though stone-still (heehee) seemed to have movement when I first caught sight of them. Paris is stuffed silly with museums and though time in Paris should be enjoyed out of doors as much as possible, she has so much to offer within.
::sigh:: There are so many more....but I have got to stop now, for your sake and mine......thanks for joining me....Any special moments you would like to share? Please do!
I am linked over at Les Chateau des Fleurs by Frenchy for her monthy French Obsession link party and giveaway in case you want to have more of a taste of France...
Au Revoir mes amies,
In Christ, 
The Latin Quarter is found in the 6
What a sight. What sounds. I took a picture and then a tap at my shoulder brought me face to face with another kind stranger. An American mom (family in tow) offered to take a picture of me with my crew with 
We walked past the crowds, over bridge with its solo street musicians, handful of street performers and sprinkling of easels with busy painters capturing the early evening sun on the busy Seine, towards the small elegant island in Paris called 
At this point I pushed us one bit further. We found our closest Metro stop and got off at the 
And then the Tower lit up for us--de
