mymidlifegapyear: Present, and Pondering in Paris

I am really surprised, but the moment I stepped off the Airfrance flight at CDG airport in Paris from London Heathrow I felt happy.

I had been to Paris once before. It was a memorable romantic week, with numerous highlights that I spent with my then husband, sister and brother in law.

It was everything I had expected and more, made even better by the fact that we four got on so well. We did all the touristy things and then some special ones (dinner at THE Ritz and spending a day at the museum cum cemetery that is the resting place of Oscar Wilde, Piaf, Abelard and Heloise and Jim Morrison in particular.)

We stayed at a gorgeous little Parisienne 3 star hotel with erotic paintings on the wall and a glimpse of the Notre Dame from our bedroom window and we walked along the Seine, sat on her banks with baguettes, red wine and books and explored all that Paris had to offer. The thing I remember the most is exploring the Latin Quarter and stumbling on a new treasure, a local market, the quirky Shakespeare and Co bookshop, a free music performance on one of the many bridges, the glorious Illes de Cite and Louis with their shops, crepe stalls and homemade icecream and chocolate and the cafes of St Germain where philosophers and writers since Satre have mused and whiled away whole days.

This time it has been very different but no less wonderful.

I retraced some of steps from my last visit.

Delighted when I found deNeuville chocolat shop 63 rue Saint Louis en L’lle and bought their last pack of chocolate coated orange segments that are to die for!

Excited when I was able to find the lovely street with little restaurants around Rue Mouffetard that I remember. Malcolm, Chris and I had pre dinner cocktails in the student bar and then found a typical French restaurant where we sampled typical French cuisine.

Content, as I read my book and listened to music in the garden behind the Notre Dame.

Proud, as I was able to find my favourite spots and show the boys around “my” Paris.

And I have done new things

Stayed in and explored a new area. My hotel in rue St Roch between Opera and Pyramides metro near the Tulleries gardens has been a good base. I have walked for miles each day, along the Seine and to catch up with the others who are staying in the 10^th not far from the Marias.

Walked up to the second platform of the Eiffel Tower and then took the elevator to the top for sunset. The only disappointment was the warm glass of Champagne which was served in plastic glasses. (I am sorry but Champagne should be served tres chilled and in glass people!)

Shopped at the Paris sales- I replaced a pair of sandals with 2 (they were half price after all) and found a new pair of black capri pants to replace the ones that had all but worn out from so much wear.

Went a dinner cruise on the Seine to help Naomi celebrate her 50^th birthday. The “Cristal” of www.bateauxparisiens.com was sleek, air conditioned and elegant and the food was divine. I could have done without the mimed singing and the ingratiating waiter, but that’s just me.

Above all, I have realized that you can experience the romance of Paris without being in a romantic relationship.

It has been a different experience, but by no means a lesser one.

In many ways it has been better. Sharing and exploring Paris with good friends and on my own has allowed me to appreciate her depth and quirkiness and my own and I look forward to coming back one day, but if I don’t that’s ok too!

A presto

Mon x