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.

Blogging on Paris for 6 Months: I Never Would Have Known…

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Blogging about Paris has expanded my world in ways I couldn’t have counted on, like introducing me to French pop music. To me, Garou — who’s featured in the YouTube video — sounds like American singer Gordon Lightfoot — with a dash of French soul.

As of yesterday, November 29, I’ve been blogging about Paris for six months. I thought I’d share how my involvement with Paris has helped me, and some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

My trip to Paris last year saved my life. I don’t mean to overstate a point, but it is the truth. I’ve been through a great deal — including losing everything I owned prior to 2009 — and I wondered how I would ever “get my groove back.” Devastating pain made me remember what was first important to me, and France was the first thing I ever really cared about as a kid. I always wanted to hear about it, read about it, visit the country — which I first did in 1976 — and eat French food. In fact, the first thing I ever cooked was a crepe. (And I didn’t burn the house down.) With a surprise windfall, I went to Paris last year for a month and decided to write about it. As a result, I have a zest for life that I haven’t had in a long time.

Blogging (and my Paris trip) has opened the door to new opportunities. I discovered TripAdvisor and am now a Top Contributor with over 20,000 readers: My TripAdvisor reviews help to build my brand and give me writing experience. Who would have thought 20,000 people would be interested in what I have to say? Not me! Also, my website/blog has helped me improve my technological skills: I’ve learned about the technical points of digital imaging, become proficient in uploading digital images using a variety of platforms, learned WordPress, and how to use Google Maps and Google Earth (God-sends for anyone trying to immerse themselves in a foreign culture). While it has been challenging, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. In addition, the devastation I’ve faced plus the challenging, rewarding experience of blogging has opened the door to me being featured in an upcoming issue of “Women of Distinction Magazine.” I am excited and honored to be featured in it.

Blogging well is harder and more time-consuming than I thought. Any writer knows that to write well, one has to read a lot. I’ve generally been an avid reader, but I haven’t been able to read as much as I’d like. Consequently, my writing has suffered: More often than I’d like to admit, the prose has been stuck in my head. I’m going to try writing draft posts on paper like I did before I published: There seems to be something to words flowing from my head to pen to paper that gets my creative juices working. Admittedly, it isn’t just writing that takes an enormous amount of time. Sometimes I have to learn to do something new before using an image. Also, looking for just the right image for a post can set me back, since I’m not satisfied with just any image — it has to be the right one. 

I am immersing myself in French culture and I love it. I don’t want to just help people get to Paris, I also want to educate people on French culture and clarify myths and misconceptions. This means, of course, that I have to first learn (as an example) the origin of the phrase “pardon my French” before uttering a curse word came about before I can write about it. (The phrase evolved in England during the Hundred Years War between England and France in the 13th century: the English blamed all things vulgar as being from France.)

Speaking of the French language: I am so excited to say I’m (finally) learning French! I took French a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) and my circumstances at the time conspired to force me to drop it. It is one of the things I regret most about my early life. Immersing myself in French culture helped open this door for me. I found a great workbook (“French” by Danielle de Gregory) and French flash cards (by Quickstudy), and “Learn French With Alexa” videos on Youtube is the final piece of the learn-French trifecta that brings it all together. I previously learned English by phonics; Alexa is just what I was looking for in a French teacher.  She is French and has many years’ experience teaching French. She knows what she’s doing and she’s so funny, too. I also listen to RJM French Radio on the TuneIn radio app to help me learn French. Some of my favorite artists include Garou (oh, my, I love his voice), Celine Dion, Louane (“Jour un”), Johnny Hallyday, (“J’ai oublie de vivre”), and Christine and the Queens’ “Ca ne tient pas debout.” With the release of “La Vie en Rose” in 2008, I already had been introduced to Edith Piaf, one of the greatest French singers ever. French pop music is just as delightful to my ears.

I continue to seek ways to work and live in Paris. My heart and mind are with the victims and their families of the November 13th attacks. People have asked me if I was glad I wasn’t in Paris then; to the contrary, I wish I was there to give comfort and hope where they are needed.

 

Vive la France!