Can’t do this in Michigan…Walk home from a late evening movie, past Notre Dame – with it’s saints and gargoyles -traverse the light-reflecting Seine river, enter a centuries-old courtyard, march up four flights of stairs and open a bedroom window with a vista of the rising moon.
Paris Summer 2018 Episode #3–Considered an epitome of stained-glass and Gothic architecture, the acoustically perfect 13th century Sainte Chapelle was perfect for a string quartet’s classical concert. I mediated a dispute between an irascible artist and two young French musicians in front of Les Deux Magots and then headed home across the Seine, by way of the Louvre. Paris is full of statutes where people rub parts of the noted person for luck, so I suppose the foot of French philosopher Montaigne does something to stimulate intellect. As I walk home from the gym most days, I’m treated to various scenes where Notre Dame is the backdrop. Thomas, my wonderful French tutor, increased my vocabulary 10-fold and got me speaking sentences and conjugating verbs and I’m actually talking a little more, albeit hesitantly, to people on the streets. As usual, hanging with gal-pal Holly brought forth tears of laughter. Galignani book store could be the most dangerous shop for the pocketbook of a person like me. Had a delicious lunch with my girlfriend Karen, from Osaka, at the Hotel Meurice’s Dali restaurant. Sunsets on a bridge in Paris – self-explanatory.
Scotland on the Side—In spite of temps that called for coats and gloves, in August, I had the most wonderful music-filled weekend at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival- the largest performance arts event in the world. I bought tickets to 7 shows –an a cappella men’s group from St. Andrews to R&B to classical to Scottish traditional to the Soweto Gospel Choir (that had me still crying, joyfully, a half hour after the show ended.) But there were just as many amazing free shows happening all over the city with its steep streets, castles, views of the Firth of Forth and magical ambiance. On a literary pub tour we stopped at the Jolly Judge Pub and I was happier than ever not be one anymore!
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.
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.
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.
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.
In Dublin, I stayed at a quaint hotel with old fashioned room keys and a cozy feel of another era. Actors lead the literary pub crawl. It’s limited to 4 pubs – otherwise they start loosing participants who are too wasted to keep up.
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With Cronan in Malin Head, the northernmost point of Ireland. I saw a rainbow – in Ireland. Somehow I missed the leprechaun and pot-of-gold.
To Paris and Beyond! 