This weather!

Another beautiful morning in Paris. And wow did I sleep in, which I don’t like to do. I’ve always thought it was overrated.

But it happens sometimes when changing time zones, so I’m going with the flow.

One look in the mirror at my hair as I brushed my teeth, and yeah, I need a hairdryer. I’m off to Monoprix to see if I can find one. I used to travel with a “French” hairdryer, but it was lost or tossed during my move.

I don’t mind going au naturel at all, but my hair doesn’t exactly curl with any grace – especially when I travel. Different water really affects how it behaves or not.

This magnificent weather coupled with the sounds of church bells ringing would be enough to keep me home a little while longer, if not for the competing sounds of jackhammers and Luigi’s howls for attention. I’m ready to bolt. Luigi has been very demanding and loud – like a colicky newborn – since his sister cat “Chépas” passed. He finds calm, but it takes a while. No matter where I sit, he’s on me. If I stand, he’s at my feet. If I bend over, he may end up on my back. Poor lad. Always purring as long as he’s ON me. Like right now as I type.

I’m back having dashed down to the local shopping area in search of a hair dryer. I walked around the entire store and could not find one. Then, two workers appeared, and I told them I was looking for un sèche-cheveux, and I kid you not, he pointed to a shelf behind him. Too funny! We laughed. He didn’t even look, just pointed with a knowing smile.

OK, some semblance of normalcy with the hair situation.

I took lines 7, 1, and 13 to the museum. My ticket wasn’t timed.

The museum was wonderful! I had recently been treated to a visit to the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, so the timing was perfect. Seeing the “highlights of the museum” takes 1hour, and seeing all of the museum takes 2.5 hours. There’s a lot to see!

At a point, I was hungry, as happens when I view a lot of art. I was about to look up nearby restaurants when I happened upon a small resto in the museum’s garden. PERFECT. I enjoyed a salad, and a glass of rosé in the shade of the many rows of trees. It was heavenly being among so many trees, flowers, Rodin’s sculptures, and little ones running about.

I saw a few more outdoor sculptures after my late luncheon and decided to make my way back to the apartment – but honestly, it was too nice – so I decided to linger here and there.

Once I reached mon quartier, I noticed a lot of the outside tables were quite full at the local stops – because of the weather, no doubt. I did a little souvenir shopping at a favorite store near Saint Paul’s (where I of course popped in, blessed myself, lit a candle, and said a prayer), and took the long way home so I could stop for a favorite cocktail near the Bastille. God bless.

I love their Lillet Spritz!

Some Boursin cheese spread over a hunk of baguette was delicious after my hors d’ oeuvre of olives and the cocktail.

There’s still light in the sky at 10pm. I can see the tippy-top of La Tour Eiffel, as well as Sacré Coeur all lit up every night.

I will miss visiting Montmartre with my friend. I usually light a candle at Sacré Coeur with her (right before we have a drink and smoke a cigarette. I don’t really smoke, as you know – but aren’t we the good Catholic girls!). Anyway, she sent me photos from Sri Lanka, including one of an elephant. She’s in heaven, I’m sure. Quite the adventurous traveler, she is!

She’d love that I had a great day, too.