Paris Trip Day 12

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  • The Eiffel Tower seen from the Seine River.
  • The Arc de Triomphe.
  • Retired French soldiers (mostly!) near the Arc de Triomphe.
  • The energy of Paris at night is something to experience.

Saturday. What is it about Paris in winter that makes me so lazy in the A.M.? The sun even acts like it wants to stay hidden under the covers (of clouds). I will say the anti-histamine knocked me out pretty good. I felt a little “other worldly” when I first got up, though I got up earlier than yesterday. I ate breakfast. My appetite was back. I went to the grocery store and the dry cleaner. I tried to go to the Post (Office), but it closed at Noon. Then I took a bus (#30) to Trocedero to see the Eiffel Tower. I took a few pictures, including a couple of a pair of newlyweds, and then had an espresso and glace chocolat (chocolate ice cream). Then I walked to Champs-Elysees, and along the way, I took some beautiful pictures of Christmas windows and other Christmas decorations. The French do everything with beauty and style. The decorations are a feast for the eyes.

At the top of Champs-Elysees I took a few photos of the Arc de Triomphe. I walked some more, took a few pictures of some French soldiers (retired) and headed into the Metro. I ate, worked out, took a bath, and now am settling in for the night.

I forgot to say that when I came back to the hostel yesterday 2 women had arrived from Pakistan. I had a conversation with one of them and she told me how much she loves makeup. She said that when she recently went shopping with her husband she told him she wanted another eye shadow. “But you have one just like it,” was his response. “But I want that one!” she said. It was such a riot to hear her talk. I think the only people who don’t think human beings are the same world over are people who don’t travel. I nearly fell off my bunk from laughing. They leave tomorrow for Italy. They are both sweet, but one is so…..messy. Why leave dirty tissue on the bed?

Salut.

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. Oh 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.

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.

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?) 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.