Author: raowordplay

Paris: July 31, 2018

Well, I’m back in Paris, in my favorite Marais appartement.  And in just the first  week, I reunited with a number of my Paris American Academy friends and completed a fantastic workshop. Author Kathleen Spivack shared her golden nuggets of writing wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of fascinating experiences. She encouraged me to share my work at the Au Chat Noir Café where I received an enthusiastic response to my spoken word performance. The show takes place in the basement and 1960s beatnik icon, Maynard G. Krebs, would have fit right in. The experience inspired me to give a second reading at another club in the 11th arrondissement that also went well. **** I toured the D’Orsay Museum for a second time and Gauguin remains my favorite painter. **** The weather is conducive to writing in the Jardin du Luxembourg–so I do.

Paris: February 21, 2018

The loveliness of Paris never stops. The elegant ambiance of the Library Bar in the Saint James Hotel is in a class all its own. **** I moved to the enchanting charm of the Hotel Relais Saint Germain for the last two nights of my stay. Breakfast at the Hotel’s coveted Comptoir restaurant–where ham is literally shaved “off the hoof”–resulted in making a new friend, Karen from Osaka, Japan. We shared a meal at the lovely Belle Epoch restaurant Vagenende and made plans to see each other in the not too distant future.

Paris: February 14, 2018

Lured back by friends assuring me Paris gets spring-like weather the first few weeks in February, I arrived just in time for what was being called the “heaviest snows in 25 years.” But a lovely apartment with lots of light, in Paris, makes snow and cold charming, even when you’re slipping and sliding through the streets. And it was lovely to spend time with my godson and his wife who are living in Paris for the year. I also attended a couple sessions of an erudite, multilingual, writing seminar at the beloved (by expats) Berkeley Books, with former classmate Sebastian.

Lunch with Holly****My favorite Boulangerie, Miss Manon, in Le Marais****Writing at the Bibliothéque****Markets****Sunday Salon at Le Select with old friends and early morning quiet streets. Still missing the spring-like weather I was promised but moving around too much to notice the cold.

New York City: October 29, 2017

In NYC for a Gotham Writers workshop and author David Downie’s book tour for his latest release ‘A Taste of Paris.’ Walked the Central Park Reservoir with David and his wife Alison. Channeled Cher In ‘Moonstruck‘ – bought a new dress and went to see ‘La Boheme’ at the Met. Had dinner In Chelsea with old Detroiters. Found bookshop in the Village (Three Lives) right out of ‘You’ve Got Mail.’ Had bacon at Marcus Samuelson’s ‘Red Rooster’ in Harlem. Feel like I’m living in a movie montage. Loving every minute of the fairy tale.

Ireland: August 1, 2017

IRELAND Getting off the plane in Dublin, looking for the right bus to catch, I met Pete–who told me never hesitate to ask an Irishman anything, because they’ll be dying to give you an answer even if they don’t have a clue. We chatted the whole 4 hour bus ride north to Ballybofey in Donegal where I had an incredible visit with my former classmate and bestie Cronan. I saw sights on the northwest coast of Ireland (the last stop before New York) that were so breathtaking it brought tears to my eyes. In the Atlantic coastal village of Glencolumbcille, at the Oideas Gael, a Gaelic language school, we ran into Martin McGinley a former journalist friend of Cronan’s who is also a well known fiddler, and he took out his fiddle and played just for me. And miracle of miracles, in this picturesque village in the middle of nowhere, a fiddlers festival was taking place! At Roartys Bar, the crazy-good fiddling jam sessions were moderated by a character right out of the movie ‘Waking Ned Devine.’ The next day, a girl from Detroit (me), introduced Cronan and Pete, two Donegal locals, and we spent hours out at Pete’s house in Fintown which overlooked stunning mountains and valleys.  My stomach ached from laughing as two hilarious Irishmen told stories, talked about building things and dispensed wisdom–as only Irishmen could.  Donegal’s mountains, lakes and Gaelic country were jaw-dropping beautiful. 

Paris: July 29, 2017

A picnic and outdoor movie at Paris Cinema Plein Air where the original ‘Sabrina’ (1954) with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden played under a full moon. I walked home on deserted streets. Moments of having Paris all to yourself is not too unusual in August, when the locals are away on vacances.

More photos from the Paris American Academy’s graduation bash on the Seine.

 

 

Paris: July 20, 2017

After 7 trips to Paris, and visits to lots of small museums, I finally decided to brave the Louvre. I signed up for a “2-hour” tour, with two friends. We ended up on a non-stop “3-hour” tour (think Gilligan’s Island.). Criss-crossing the palace with an enthusiastic guide, the three of us were dragging and dehydrated by the time we escaped–but I can now say I’ve “been there, done that.” ****I had lunch again with my “Shero” Holly who reinforces that laughter is always the best medicine.****Our month of classes culminated with a celebration on Quai Saint Bernard. Our illustrious cigar smoking leader, Rolf, handed out diplomas while wine flowed****I had cocktails at the recently opened Ritz Bar in the recently reopened Ritz Hotel, but only took a photo of the gold-plated bathroom fixtures so as not to appear touristy or gauche in the bar.****The man on the fantastical bike (zoom in and look at the details) was just one of many recent bizarre street sights–which included four monks dressed in colorful quilts that I dubbed the “Holy Order of Bedspreads.”

Paris: July 21, 2017

My beautiful Parisian landlady, Stéphanie, took me to lunch at a Montmartre restaurant with panoramic views of the city (where she explained why it is so hard for single Parisian women to find love and romance in Paris.) I went running (away from baguettes & butter) on the Viaduc des Arts – a lovely 2.8 mile trail with gardens that used to be railroad tracks. I sat on the same steps where Owen Wilson’s character in “Midnight in Paris” waited for Heminway and Fitzgerald to pick him up and take him to Gertrude Stein’s place.