So what is new in Paris? Last weekend I visited one of the famous cemeteries…the one where Jim Morrison’s grave is. The weather was great and the cemetery was beautiful…I took so many pictures, fully knowing the camera just wouldn’t be able to capture the atmosphere…but I tried. There was quite a little group gathered around Jim Morrison’s grave- which was tiny, especially in comparison to the huge family sites all around. There were cigarettes and alcohol bottles and flowers scattered around his grave, and people paying their respects…a few tearful.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of the month, which means free entrance in to the museums. I got a bit lost on my way (you never REALLY get lost in Paris though…just a roundabout way of getting where I was going). I visited the Cluny museum, only to discover, it does not do the free first Sunday thing. Boo. And then went to the l'Orangerie. It is a small museum, but the main attraction is Monet's "Nympheas"...some really beautiful art there. Then I had to race off to meet Rachel at the train station…pastry in hand, ready to hand off!
The kids started school last week. They go to a little English-speaking (phew!) program from about 2-4pm 4 days a week. The school is 16 metro stops, and a transfer away…yeah. The kids and I have quite the metro adventure every day. We have ditched the stroller for these trips, because there are so many staircases and no escalators or elevators…it would be more of a pain with it. I was nervous about taking them without some kind of restraint, so we talk about the rules each day before we leave the house. They name them for me- no running away, always hold hands, and always LISTEN. They have actually been fantastic. The walking at the end of the day is a bit much for them- it usually takes us 50 minutes to get to school and an hour and ten minutes to get home because they need to sit and rest every two minutes (only a slight exaggeration). But the school is lovely, and they are really enjoying it- I think they have really been missing the interaction with other kids. I have been trying to figure out what to do with myself for those two hours. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I thought I found a track close by, that I could walk to and do my workouts…but after attempting the walk, I realized it was too far and I would never have time to get any kind of substantial workout in. I found a café that I like nearby…but I can’t do that everyday…it is just too expensive. A café au lait is about 4 euros (aka $6) and that is just ridiculous.
Rachel was in town for the week. She just flew in to Leeds for her brand new school year and hopped a flight for a visit. I stayed with her in a hostel a couple of nights…which was quite the adventure. We had to lug sheets with us back and forth, and we were in a different room each night because of the availability. And then she stayed at the apartment for the last three nights. She was great about going out and exploring the city on her own while I was working and then meeting back up for an evening adventure. What did we do….hmmm, we enjoyed many-a- pain au chocolate (choc croissant…yumm). We went to the grocery store for wine, cheese and fruit..and to the boulangerie for baguettes and delicious pastries a few times.
One of the evenings we decided to just picnic in the park near our house. I have seen people picnicking with wine all the time, but wasn’t sure if it was actually legal…but we decided to go for it. As we were sitting there, a man in some sort of suit started walking toward us…oh dear, could that be a police officer. Yes, yes it was. He said “oh you are strangers here. You should know you can not drink wine in the parks. But since you already opened it, feel free to finish it. Next time just put the wine bottle in a bag.” Yeah, the police officer told us how to break the law. So French. And then he returned to invite us to his church…a flyer with his phone number.
Another night, we were going to picnic in the Place de Vosges, one of the oldest squares in Paris. We bo
ught all our stuff and headed out with our blanket…and, typical Paris weather- it was beautiful all day and then the black clouds rolled in. It started POURING. Like, crazy Florida rain. So we grabbed our stuff and sat on a bench under the trees with our blanket over our head. Hey, we are from Seattle…a little rain isn’t going to keep us from enjoying our cheese and wine. And we stuck it out like pros…I w
as very proud of us.We also enjoyed several crepes throughout the week. I tell you what, if I ate all the time, like I did this week…oh man, bad news bears…it will take a lot of running to burn off those calories.
Our last n
ight we went to the Eiffel Tower to watch the evening light show. I have been putting it off because it gets dark so late, and it is quite a ways away…but the seasons are changing and the evening comes sooner now. So we saw the 9pm show…and it was beautiful. Such a Paris cliche. I loved it. Rachel did too. I think it took her a little while to warm up to Paris…she didn’t seem overly impressed…but the Eiffel Tower worked its magic.This morning she did some last minute shopping and I pointed her off to the airport…hopefully she managed to make it back to Leeds!!
Ya-Ya is in town for a few days…we are all going to Disneyland Paris on Monday…should be an experience…none of them have ever been to any Disney’s before. Yeah…I am feeling a bit of pressure to make it amazing.
All for now…later.
More picture problems...hopefully soon- sorry. :(
