What is today?

It’s Friday, and I cannot believe my first week is behind me. I’m apartment-sitting for my friend here in Paris, in le Marais, a beautiful arrondissement located sur Rive Droit. This particular area is also known as the Village of Saint-Paul.

Last night, there was a little leak in the bathroom, so the landlord came to fix it. He left near midnight, but not before inviting me to an art party, which I just attended.

Apparently, they host a lot of art events here in this building (which was originally a 12th Century church). You can still see some of the original stone work, and what remains of the stone turret. Saint Paul’s on Rue Saint-Antoine, was built to replace it. I’ll try to grab a photo later.

The city is an amazement of ancient and new.

Only in Paris do I get invitations like this. And on that note, I had lunch with my friend Nathalie earlier today. She lives around the corner, and last year I took care of her cats while she and her family went to the south of France for vacation. We were so happy to see one another again! What a joy to reconnect with a good friend.

You may or may not know the story of how Nathalie and I met. It was on an airplane bound for Paris out of New York. She was my seat mate. We ate together. Slept together (wink) and became immediate friends. From there, I ended up living in her apartment last summer. And, I might be doing the same thing this summer.

Sadly, one of the cats, Chépa contracted cancer, and passed away a few months ago. The other cat, Luigi, might be in need of care next month. I’m happy to volunteer my time.

Nathalie prepared a lovely lunch, and as usual, she spoke in English, and I in French. She then conversed with me in French to help me practice my listening/comprehension skills. We had a lot of laughs!

Oooh, and then she recommended a local bakery. She told me which ones had the best bread. There is one, Boulangerie L’Atmosphère sur Rue du petit Musc. She said if you buy a baguette there (une tradition), you will finish it yourself. And, Oh. My. God. was she right! BEST ever. I picked up un pain au raisin (a favorite) and thought I’d died and gone to Heaven. These were the two FRESHEST baked goods I’ve ever had in my life. It’s a tiny one-off boulangerie on a side street that I’d never before noticed. It’s right behind Nathalie’s building, but I didn’t know it was there. I sure do now.

I’ve also been invited by a friend to visit their home in Normandie, which is on my list to visit during my stay. All I can say is, that this is Europe. I am always treated with respect and affection here – in the city that has a reputation of hating everyone, mostly themselves if you listen to comedians.

20 juin 2024

Ok, so now, I’m writing about yesterday. I seem to be a day or two behind. It’s only going to get worse if I don’t pause and jot down a few notes.

I took Line 1 to Charles de Gaulle Étoile, changed platforms and took Line 2 to Blanche, which is the Métro stop at the base of Montmartre, near the infamous Moulin Rouge with the missing windmill.

There, I met my friend!

We kinda’ bar-hopped a bit, and shared cigarettes. I don’t smoke; I merely pose with them to fit in with my crazy Parisian friends. And I’m trying to get her to stop smoking, but it’s a process. Everyone here smokes. It’s like the United States, circa 1975.

Montmartre is a neighborhood – un quartier – you could visit every day. Yes, there are LOTS of tourists, but it is still charming. I bought a T-shirt. How’s that for touristy? It’s Mona Lisa, bien sûr – but a modern take on the lady. I couldn’t resist.

We walked all around, and ended our visit by treating ourselves to some Lebanese ice cream. Beyond delicious! That’s when I bought the t-shirt – walking down that hill lined with shops selling trinkets. It happens.

As I mentioned at the top of this post, I have just returned from the Art Party downstairs. It was well-attended. I didn’t know a soul, but the landlord introduced me to a few people. I otherwise enjoyed the art exposition – three photographers were featured. Drinks were provided and some snacks. Apéro is so popular here, and so is the Apéro Spritz – a fun drink which I’ve never tried till tonight. Not my favorite. But it will give you more of a buzz than I expected. Glad I only had to walk up 3 (really 6) flights of stairs afterwards. I broke off a piece of that delicious baguette and dipped it into the hummus!

Bon appétit !