One thing that happens is that I get lazy and do not do my writing each day. So much gets lost with each day that passes and this does not get done. I will do my best to recreate all that I have done.
Even with the intense heat, my little apartment was cool and comfortable. I am able to coffee which is to my liking, in a cup that is more my size.
I was off about 10 AM. Th.e day was heating up and the sun was intense. Not a cloud in the sky. The heat certainly did not deter the crowds. Paris was just teaming with people. I meandered past the Pompodou Center, which just leaves me cold, by the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame Cathedral. This brought me to the Left Bank and the Latin Quarter.
20 years ago I made my first trip to Paris. The cafes were beautiful and romantic. There was an old world charm. Those days are gone. I had coffee at a Starbucks. Almost everyplace had a neon sign. n Just not the same. I walked down to the edge of St. Germain Depres Glitzy store fronts and touristy cafes were all lined up along the streets filled with traffic. So much for the romance of Paris.
Having had enough of the hustle and bustle, I crossed over to the Rive Droite and headed for the Garden of the Tuiliries. This is the garden which would have been attached to the Lourve when it was a palace. Considering the crowds and the heat I decided that I would bypass the Lourve. I have seen the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The gardens were another story. Although crowded, it was great to see people out getting some sun or having a lunch in the park. One side of the park was a carnival which detracted from its beauty, I was still able to find a quiet spot to sit and take in the beauty of gardens and to imagine what it was like in the time of the French kings. "It's good to be the King"!
Having rested my feet my feet, it was time go back to home for a rest. Paris is a walk-able city but distances can be far. It took me more that an hour to get back. I needed the rest and the cooling off. I can't believe that amount of water I am consuming.
Tonight I have plans to meet up with Joshua Smith, He is my cousin, Julia Smith (Mersea Ruane)'s older son. I have not seen him since he was about 12. Now he is about 39. He was meeting me at my apartment at 7 and then we would meet up with his girlfriend, Manon, for dinner. He was earlier and
I was ready.
I would not have recognized him. He has lived in Paris since 2004. That makes him a Parisian as far as I am concerned. He took me through several alleys to photograph. He really knew the backroads and alleys. It seemed we walked forever without ever being far from my home. He headed for a restaurant that he and Manon especially liked. When we got there is was out of business. He said that these small restaurants were popping up everywhere and they often did not last long.
We soon were met by Manon, she is beautiful with a delightful personality. We selected a very typical French cafe that had small plates. We had cheese and meats with a chicken quesadilla and bread with tomato and mozzarella. Dinner was leisurely and the company was great. Josh is a free lance teacher. hew works with executives on conflict resolution and negotiations. He also teaches graduate courses. Manon works for customer service at Renault. We were able to catch up on lost time and talk family.
After dinner we moved to a cafe near my place and had a dessert. It was a wonderful evening. I hated to see it end. I hope that I get an opportunity to see Josh and Manon again.
Time for bed.
Even with the intense heat, my little apartment was cool and comfortable. I am able to coffee which is to my liking, in a cup that is more my size.
I was off about 10 AM. Th.e day was heating up and the sun was intense. Not a cloud in the sky. The heat certainly did not deter the crowds. Paris was just teaming with people. I meandered past the Pompodou Center, which just leaves me cold, by the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame Cathedral. This brought me to the Left Bank and the Latin Quarter.
20 years ago I made my first trip to Paris. The cafes were beautiful and romantic. There was an old world charm. Those days are gone. I had coffee at a Starbucks. Almost everyplace had a neon sign. n Just not the same. I walked down to the edge of St. Germain Depres Glitzy store fronts and touristy cafes were all lined up along the streets filled with traffic. So much for the romance of Paris.
Having had enough of the hustle and bustle, I crossed over to the Rive Droite and headed for the Garden of the Tuiliries. This is the garden which would have been attached to the Lourve when it was a palace. Considering the crowds and the heat I decided that I would bypass the Lourve. I have seen the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The gardens were another story. Although crowded, it was great to see people out getting some sun or having a lunch in the park. One side of the park was a carnival which detracted from its beauty, I was still able to find a quiet spot to sit and take in the beauty of gardens and to imagine what it was like in the time of the French kings. "It's good to be the King"!
Having rested my feet my feet, it was time go back to home for a rest. Paris is a walk-able city but distances can be far. It took me more that an hour to get back. I needed the rest and the cooling off. I can't believe that amount of water I am consuming.
Tonight I have plans to meet up with Joshua Smith, He is my cousin, Julia Smith (Mersea Ruane)'s older son. I have not seen him since he was about 12. Now he is about 39. He was meeting me at my apartment at 7 and then we would meet up with his girlfriend, Manon, for dinner. He was earlier and
I was ready.
I would not have recognized him. He has lived in Paris since 2004. That makes him a Parisian as far as I am concerned. He took me through several alleys to photograph. He really knew the backroads and alleys. It seemed we walked forever without ever being far from my home. He headed for a restaurant that he and Manon especially liked. When we got there is was out of business. He said that these small restaurants were popping up everywhere and they often did not last long.
We soon were met by Manon, she is beautiful with a delightful personality. We selected a very typical French cafe that had small plates. We had cheese and meats with a chicken quesadilla and bread with tomato and mozzarella. Dinner was leisurely and the company was great. Josh is a free lance teacher. hew works with executives on conflict resolution and negotiations. He also teaches graduate courses. Manon works for customer service at Renault. We were able to catch up on lost time and talk family.
After dinner we moved to a cafe near my place and had a dessert. It was a wonderful evening. I hated to see it end. I hope that I get an opportunity to see Josh and Manon again.
Time for bed.
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