Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Paris, Je t'adore!

What is it with this city? I need to write a letter to the Chamber of Commerce.
Gil in "Midnight in Paris"


This post is the beginning of my letter to the Chamber of Commerce...

I love New York City.  New York City is the Center of the Universe - if it is happening there, it is happening!  Bright Lights, Big City!  When You're a Jet You're a Jet All the Way.."

London.  Rule Brittania!  Cool and Cockney.  Puts on THE best pageantry (my 90th birthday will be arranged by Buckingham Palace someday - they know how to put on a show...)

But Paris.  I did not think I could fall in love again at middle age, but Paris has reduced me to a giggling school girl.

You drive in from the airport, expecting to see high rises (despite knowing you will not) like all other big cities, but instead, you see this:




The river is everywhere - the whole city embraces it and celebrates it and walks over it.




And then you are there, too, feeling glamorous and dramatic, walking in the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims that have come before you.




And yes, that is Notre Dame behind you, which you nonchalantly walk by, steeling yourself to not scream "Sanctuary!" or prostrate yourself in front of, like the many beggar women I saw by the lineup to get in to the evening service.

And then you are in the most luxe neighbourhood, Ile Saint Louis, enjoying your first glass of champagne in Paris at the Cafe St. Regis...



You feel like you are in a movie - perhaps the bartender recognizes me from my show? Mais oui!

But alas, everyone in Paris is a bright, young thing, so you sip your champagne and smile and smile, because you are in Paris and Paris is beautiful, everyone is beautiful and you feel beautiful too!

Later you have supper in a cafe near the Seine, not far from your hotel, where you feast on simple fare that tastes anything but and smile for the camera because you feel drunk, even though you are not, because you are in Paris!



You will see many things during your brief stay in Paris, but you will never forget falling in love and your first night in Paris...





30 comments:

  1. It is just like that! How lovely a time you had with your wonderful family, I'm thrilled. The great thing about Paris is the feeling of belonging too, if you love it, you belong.
    You belong in Paris my Dear!

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    1. I know! I felt just like I did the year I discovered the Bay City Rollers and wrote Woody a fan letter (not sure anyone but me would remember Woody...)

      We had a magnificent time! A few more posts to come, but I will try not to be dull!

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  2. "Good Americans, when they die, go to Paris." Oliver Wendell Holmes said it 40 years before Oscar Wilde did, but who's quibbling? Looks like a great kickoff!

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    1. I like this quote. And I am sure Oscar stole lots of things! Thanks! I reread your post again last night - it was such a good one!

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  3. Thank you for sharing pictures of your vacation, Paris is and will always have a special place in my heart. There's something beautiful around every corner it seems.

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    1. I am sure there are nasty bits, since we were not there long enough and stayed in the heart of the citu except when going to and from the airport, but honestly, it was all so gorgeous that I thought my heart would burst from looking at it all!

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  4. You have the Paris glow! You look so happy in your pics, so glad to see you're enjoying yourself!

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  5. I was 23 and by myself when I visited Paris. I remember it exactly as you've described. EVERYTHING was charming. And beautiful. And delicious.

    I fell in love with butter and the Impressionists there.

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    1. Tiffany Rose - 23 - how amazing!!! On our cruise of the Seine we were behind a number of foreign students who were just beginning their school year in Paris. They were so young and beautiful and full of promise and I felt so happy for them!

      I already loved butter and the impressionists, but I became a devotee of Provençal rosé...

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  6. Cute photos! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Thanks for the pics and i agree with closet crisis that you have the paris glow!

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  9. You know I've never been much of a fan of Paris but I did really enjoy our last trip. This is a lovely post, it's brimming with happiness.

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  10. What a beautiful post, WMM! Thank you for sharing your photos with us. I agree with all the others that say you have that Paris glow! I'm looking forward to hearing even more about your trip. :)

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  11. I dream of Paris, I have never been. One day, I say to myself. For now I can live vicariously through your post, love it, thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Slastena! I was surprised at how affordable Paris was (once I got there!) definitely cheaper to eat than NYC or London

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  12. JOIE DE VIVRE WMM, I think it was Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina who said, "Paris is always a good idea." Mille merci for sharing your love affair with the city of light - a much needed shot of vicarious happiness today. Your post epitomizes the joy and optimism of travel. Know you will keep that happiness and wonderful family memories close to your heart and in your imagination. Eager for the next installment, which could never be dull given subject matter and delighted author!

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  13. What a perfect love letter to a beautiful city!

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  14. Thank you for the pictures, I love Paris! Wish I can go, maybe next year...

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    1. It is wonderful! I am not sure when I will go back again! My husband and I think Scotland may be next (the motherland for us!) - we have never been... Or Italy!

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  15. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. You look beautiful in the photos. Happy wife ... happy husband

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    1. Thanks Marsha! Wait till you see my Friday post - it is my 27th wedding anniversary!

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Kindness is a virtue...