Paris Trip Day 11

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A rainy day in Paris is better than a sunny day anywhere else.

A rainy day in Paris is better than a sunny day anywhere else.

Friday. I feel awful. My head is stuffed. My eyes are watering like crazy. I have to stay in I feel so sick. Thank goodness the hostel has a great coffee machine. Even though I enjoy a good cup of cappuccino, the machine’s cappuccino is pretty good, especially for 1 euro. As I’ve said, a bad day in Paris beats a good day anywhere else, any time.

Later. As sick as I was, I managed to go to Gare du Nord to find out how to get to London when I go in December. I seemed to be getting the run around…no one could tell me how to take a ferry to Calais like I did the last time I visited Paris. Finally, I got the information I needed. Then, my debit card wouldn’t work, so I had to pay cash for a 1-way ticket to Calais. Hard to believe that Wells Fargo froze my account! Even after I gave them a travel itinerary before I left the States! And the Wells Fargo representative even told me she could see my travel itinerary in my account online! And she took her own sweet time making me verify each and every transaction, as slow as growing grass.

I don’t take anti-histamines much anymore, but I had no choice today, so I got an anti-histamine from a Pharmacie. I am so glad pharmacists in France are about as knowledgeable as doctors in the U.S. when it comes to medicines. I am wiped out.

Salut !

 

Image by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 10

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Thursday. Est-ce que je pourrais recuperer mon pantalon? May I pick up my pants? I have to go to the drycleaner today to pick up my black pants. Learning one French phrase at a time is better than none.

I got out a bit earlier today. I’m so tired of getting my hands cold maneuvering my camera and phone that I decided to buy a handbag. It’s a bit large: It has a decorative zipper in the front, a zipper in the back for fast-pack items (change after I buy something), a zippered pocket inside, two large compartments, and two open pockets for my phone and other things I want to keep handy. After I bought it, I took it back to the hostel and left for Pere La Chaise Cemetery. I enjoyed taking the Metro to Gambetta Metro stop, since I was very confident in what I was doing.

I followed Rick Steves’ Pere La Chaise Cemetery Tour for 2 hours.  I entered at the Porte Gambetta entrance and walked along Avenue des Combattant, past World War memorials, and beneath a courtyard, where there was a darkened area (underground) for graves (called “niches”) and I found Maria Callas’ niche, as well as a few others. I then followed Rick’s directions to find the graves of Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Frederic Chopin, and Colette. Just as Rick said, there were lots of cobblestone paths, and they made me walk a bit slower than I am used to (not a bad thing).

I enjoy visiting sites for the sites themselves, but there is also a bit of a thrill to see sites I’ve seen in movies. One of the stories in Paris je t’aime takes place in Pere La Chaise, with Oscar Wilde and his grave being central to the story.

I had a scary encounter in one of the more vast areas of the cemetery, in the World War memorial section. Two guys came up to me within an inch of my face. I thought for sure they were going to rob me of my purse and/or the camera around my neck. I stood rod straight and told them I didn’t speak French very well. They seemed to enjoy taunting me and poking their fingers in my face. They left, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I need to remember to email Rick Steves when I get home and let him know he might want to provide an emergency number for police. (He included it, #17 for English-speaking police; I just didn’t see it.)  It isn’t that I don’t generally feel safe in Paris – I do – but I walk alone much of the time, and this was a frightening experience. Better to be safe than sorry.

I had done enough walking and it was starting to get colder. I had an espresso and got on the Metro. I got back to the hostel and immediately did my laundry in the laundry mat around the corner from the hostel. I later had a salad. I chatted with Nicdadya and she helped me with my phrase for tomorrow. Unfortunately, my nose won’t stop running. I have used all kinds of tissue today, and lots of it!

Salut!

 

“I was only sleeping…” by Stanze, taken on September 30, 2014, courtesy of Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Edith Piaf gravesite courtesy of Parisbuslady.com. All other images by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 9

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Champs_Elysees sign_canstockphoto21712583

The Champs-Elysees is in the 8th arrondissement and is one of the most famous streets in the world.

Wednesday. When all else fails, go shopping.

I had a hard time getting myself out of the door of the hostel. I’m tired from the rainy and/or damp cold weather here. (Though a bad day in Paris is better than a good day at the office.) At the hostel, I fixed what I call my French lunch: Some type of greens, rice with peas (from the Asian restaurant close to the hostel), red bell pepper, Maille dressing, in a croissant or baguette. Feeling a bit more French from my French lunch, I went out and bought some souvenirs for myself and others. Then I walked to Champs-Elysees and went to Sephora. I spoke with someone who works there about wanting to stay in France. She is looking to go to New York to work; she said she is waiting for the Green Card lottery. She was very nice. I got to thinking about how excited she is at the prospect of working in New York: Wouldn’t it be cool if I could get rehired at Sephora, but in Paris, teaching English AND working with makeup and skin care? Talk about a dream job!

I spent a small fortune. I got some great products to replace my missing personal items. I’m really hoping the Bumble & Bumble shampoo and conditioner will work for my fine hair. To make up for my mini spending spree I’m going to cut back for a few days.

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to most for this trip is to go on a dinner cruise on the Seine River. Since I’ve had to spend so much on replacing items that went missing, I’m going with Le Capitaine Fracasse dinner cruise: according to Rick Steves, it’s supposed to be the budget option at 55 – 80 euros per person. I made my reservation online today for this coming Sunday.

THE SNORER IS GONE. I happened to mention to someone at the desk about the girl who’s been staying in my room and keeping me up at night, snoring. He just smiled. He said there had been other comments made. I told him I would never think of complaining formally because I knew staying in a hostel there would be the risk of that. We had a good laugh.

I took a bath and soaked. I also used two of my new Christian Dior products (wash, samples of eye creams). I am looking forward to turning out the light, but not before thinking about B.G.: it’s her birthday today. I wonder how she’s doing. I haven’t spoken to her in a long time, but I still think of her on her birthday every year. Happy Birthday, B.G.

 

Happy Birthday, B.G.

Happy Birthday, B.G.

Salut !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 8

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Tuesday. Violet is gone. She left today. I’ll miss talking with her. I’ve been figuring out my phone and looking at Rick Steves’ book. I’ll clean up, reorganize my stuff, make a reservation or two for activities, shower and work out.

I also made a list of people I want to send postcards and certain souvenirs to. In addition, I called LA Fitness and spoke to someone for 55 seconds to get their address.

I organized much of the day. I got lunch/dinner (shrimp, rice, dim sum, drink) at the Asian place I love – gosh, what is the name of their restaurant? — and went food shopping. I got such great deals at the food market! I spent 4 euros 10 for produce – and I bought a lot. I also got salad dressing and gummie bears elsewhere, at a shop in Pigalle.

Later, I came back to the hostel and worked out for 50 minutes. Whew! It felt good to use my weights. I’ll look at my checking account and call it a night.

I miss talking to Violet already.

 

Salut !

 

Image by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 7

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Sexy man_canstockphoto17460126

I woke up in a mixed dorm with a man’s torso in my field of vision. Ooh la la!

Monday. I had to switch rooms because a group was coming in and they would need to stay together in my favorite room, the only room with 5 beds. (Violet gets to stay since she is only here for one more day.) I stayed in a mixed dorm and I woke up with a man’s torso in my field of vision! Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. The people in this room were all one group, and I waited for them to leave before I showered so as to stay out of their way. No sooner did I get dressed that my favorite chamber maid told me I could go back to my favorite room.

After I moved back to Violet’s room, she and I had another great conversation. It was great talking to someone who is so informed and knowledgeable about current issues facing her own nation and elsewhere. I asked her if she wanted to go for lunch or dinner. We decided to meet up at 7:00 P.M. for dinner. I told her how good the food is at Le Basilic and how large the portions are, including the appetizers.

On my way to buy some weights to use at the hostel.

I took this while on my way to buy some weights to use at the hostel.

Nicdadya told me where I can get some free weights so I can exercise while I am here. I went to get my weights from Decalthon near Ternes Metro. I bought 2 3kg (7 lbs.) weights: they’re perfect for what I want (lunges, squats, arm exercises, standing abdominals). I’ll probably start working out tomorrow. Violet thinks I’m making quite a commitment in getting weights to work out with, but I told her I can’t go for a whole month without exercising. They also didn’t cost much. Besides, I rest better after I exercise, and unfortunately, as much as walking tires me out, it isn’t enough to keep the weight off. And I just KNOW that all of the croissants and good French food I’ll be eating here will be taking its toll on my waistline, as it is.

Violet and Elsa talking at Le Basilic_canstockphoto13041679

Elsa and Violet at Le Basilic.

Violet and I went to Le Basilic (my third time) and we continued our great conversation. She asked me what made me make this place “my place” that I wanted to come back to again and again. I told her that while I found it a short distance from the hostel, I want to keep coming back because the food and service is so good. It’s funny, I was a bit startled by her asking me what I thought. Many times people talk to me because they want advice; people don’t often just talk to me because they want to know what I think. It was also nice to talk to an intelligent woman, because although I generally prefer a man’s company, I miss having woman friends like I used to have. There has been a real give-and-take to our conversations. Although I warned her that the portions here are quite large, tsk tsk, she didn’t listen. She ordered two appetizers as her meal and could barely finish one. She offered me some of the second one. I knew it would be hard for me to finish what I had ordered, so I only took a bite or two.  I’m sorry she’s leaving tomorrow.

I set up my SkillPages page in an effort to teach English here.

 

Salut !

 

Image of Paris architecture by Elsa L. Fridl. All other images by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 6

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The Champs-Elysee is framed by the Ferris wheel of Paris (Roue de Paris) at one end, and the Arc de Triomphe is at the other. Beautiful by day, magnificent at night.

The Champs-Elysee is framed by the Ferris Wheel of Paris (Roue de Paris) at one end, and the Arc de Triomphe at the other. Both are beautiful by day, magnificent at night.

Sunday. I had a great day today. I came back from Gold Hotel with little trouble, put my things down, and went and had a leisurely brunch at Cafe Bruant, near Plug-Inn. While there, I met a Parisian named Emile. We talked a lot, such as about the differences between Paris and L.A. He told me liked Paris much better: like many French people I’ve met, he said Americans only seem to be interested in making money – not enjoying life and the relationships we have with others. He also told me about his father’s business making luxury sheets and other things for the bedroom. He told me he is a writer. He spoke very good English, yet apologized for it. I wondered if he was angling for us to spend some time together, when all of a sudden his demeanor changed and he said he had to go. (What did the woman sitting next to me do? Why did it seem in my peripheral vision like she shook her head ‘no’?) He gave me directions to get to a gym, and I wondered if I can follow them. Before he left, he reminded me to go to the photography exhibit today at Grand Musee.

Parisians sit outside to eat and talk regardless of the weather. Relationships are what matter, not the weather.

Parisians sit outside to eat and talk regardless of the weather. Relationships are what matter, not the weather.

The exhibit was huge! I saw what I could in 2 ½ hours. I was exhausted from concentrating. I decided to go walking along the Champs-Elysees and look at the Christmas exhibits, where people sell their wares in outdoor kiosks. In French I ordered a crepe with Grand Marnier. I hate to toot my own horn, but it felt great to see the woman’s eyes light up when I was able to order in French. On the other side of the street, I talked with a Moscovite about the lacquer boxes that he was displaying. I told him about the lacquer boxes I saw while I was in Moscow. He talked to me at length about where and how they are made. He seemed to enjoy talking about his homeland. He smiled when I said “spasibo” as I parted, and as I walked away I knew if I could have a superpower it would be to speak any language at any given moment. It makes people feel so validated to speak to them in their own language.

The Grand Musee, also called the Musee du Grand Palais, where the Photography Exhibit was held.

The Grand Musee, also called the Musee du Grand Palais, where the Photography Exhibit was held.

I walked some more along Champs-Elysees. I finally took the Metro back to the hostel, and grabbed some take-away chicken and rice from a Japanese restaurant nearby that I just know I’m going to be a regular at while I’m here. I’m exhausted. I want to remember to read about dinner cruises to see if I really want to go to the one I picked out before my trip; regardless of which one, I’ll need to book it online. I also want to read over how to get to London in Rick Steves’ book.

I have to remember to be unafraid to be true to who I am here. At home, I feel pressured not to be as feminine as I feel inside; Parisians aren’t like that. They accept my best self here. I love being here. I also need to remember my prayer time in the A.M.

Salut !

 

All images by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 5

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Breakfast is always my favorite meal, but it is even better in Paris.

Breakfast is always my favorite meal, but it is even better in Paris.

Saturday. Saturday already! I had my usual breakfast with ½ banana and some (very expensive) cherries that I bought. No croissant. I shouldn’t eat one every day since I am not subject to the French paradox of eating mega calories and not gain weight. Not anymore, anyway. Those were the days!

I got my things ready to go to the hotel. Then I walked a lot and took some pictures. I found a supermarket at which to buy some food (down the street from the theatre near Pigalle Metro), took some pictures, and found that Monoprix is a lot like Target, only classier: They sell EVERYTHING, including some grab-n-go food, like lentils in a delicious sauce. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. I want to eat well while I am here, but cheaply sometimes, too. I will likely have lentils tonight. I had Bruschetta for lunch at a Bistro just on the other side of the street from the Gold Hotel, followed by a cappuccino at a café.

A statue of Charles de Galle.

A statue of Charles de Gaulle.

Later: Now I am sitting on my huge bed at Gold Hotel (with a French nature program on), and am reading my guidebook to see if there is anything additional I want to do.

 

Salut !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image of coffee by Can Stock Photo. Image of statue by Elsa L. Fridl.