A friend who posts here sometimes has been whisked off to Paris by her family for a special birthday. She has written us a message full of excitement and discovery, and we - her widespread circle of friends who use the Internet to keep in touch - are delighted. And a bit envious.
Paris - the heart of Paris - hits you in surprising ways. On a sunny spring day, it is like a huge carnival, with something lively and exciting in every corner.( I thought it was appropriate that the museum of Paris is called Carnavalet. It has become one of our favorite places in the city.)
Paris when it drizzles is no less enchanting. (It drizzled so much last trip that I had to reach into my photo archives for a picture of Notre Dame from April 2005.) But Paris under gray skies is always oddly familiar to me. As a child, dreaming of a city I had yet to visit, I perceived there were parts of the city that were crowded and gritty and even a bit tawdry. I have found them and embraced them. They are at their best - their grittiest - on overcast, even sodden days.
Have a wonderful time, A! I will be thinking of you!
11 comments:
I was wondering if A would get drizzly weather for her trip to Paris as you said you did Mimi, but I'm sure she isn't even noticing that right now, she's probably still on cloud 9! And what a wonderful birthday gift for her!
Yes, I love Paris in all it's dress and drizzle.
Yup, Ei and Tanna, it does not matter.
I saw a great Louis Malle film last night: Zazie and Le Metro - hilarious! Anyway, it got me craving Paris.
I wish someone would whisk me off to Paris -- and it's only 6 hours away!
Guess I'll go eat worms....
Thanks for your post Mimi. It was one of those gray and gritty days that you wrote about today. That did not stop me from enjoying the Sacre Coeur, the Rodin and the d'Orsay. It was quite the whirlwind tour, but in between I found time to feel the pulse of the city.
I had a typical Kebab lunch in a crowded working class area and loved to listening in on all the french conversations around me. We hit a neighborhood cafe for dinner Montmartre) and enjoyed the same. Having a glorious time and wish you could be here with me.
Betty, try as I do, I prefer Paris to just about anything, anyplace in the world! Wish I could do 4 weeks a year in France, instead of two.
Abby, it was a gray and gritty day the Saturday we spent at Musee D'Orsay. I hope you got to see all the Art Nouveau stuff. I was swooning with delight!
BTW, there is an area behind the Palais Royale where the air smells of Middle Eastern food. OMG. Kebabs, couscous and heaven knows what else...
The beautiful thing about Paris at this time of year, drizzle and all, is that it's much less crowded with tourists and the Parisians are actually at home, not off on holiday. You get a much more "French" view of life there.
I would like that, TerryB. Next year.
One good thing about this time of year would be the dwinding numbers of tourists following the busier summer months.
Paris looks and feels great in any weather.
A is a very lucky lady :)
Paris is one of those cities that can be savored in any weather. I've never been there at this time of the year, but drizzle wouldn't stop me from loving it. Fewer tourists would be a major plus, in fact! A less crowded Musee D'Orsay? Ahhhhh....Now, if only I had someone who would whisk me off to Paris...
I will take Paris in any weather condition~ even snow! It's wonderful to dash into a cafe and warm up for a while....this city will always remain "tops" on my list....How exciting for your friend to have such a trip!
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