• Don is sick with a bad cold. Yesterday morning, I suggested he read the history of Shakespeare and Company (which is utterly delightful and quirky) instead of his usual heavy reading; currently, he’s reading about the Resistance during WWII.
He agreed. He’s loving the book, as I knew he would.
This morning, as I was walking by to make our second cup of coffee, he said “I love Paris.”
And we do. Both of us. We feel a deep bond to that city and, far from feeling that we’ve ‘done’ Paris, we just want to go back. Again and again.
Yesterday, I said I wish I’d been brave enough as a young adult to move there and become an expat. But I wasn’t that brave, and of course, I wouldn’t have met Don if I had taken that path. Nevertheless, I would have loved to embrace life in that city.
• Some thoughts from people we met:
The young gentleman who owns the vegan hot dog shop told Don that there are only two places in the world he would be too frightened to visit: Saudi Arabia and the United States. He said there’s too much violence in both places. He’s right.
And one of the gentlemen who work the front desk in the hotel told Don that he loved NYC because the buildings are so colorful. The very thing we love about Paris, the golden tones of the buildings, is monotonous to him. I get it. Visiting another place that is so different from what you know is enchanting. I’m rather over NYC, though it has its moments. He’s rather over Paris, or at least the look of it.
So interesting.
• Thoughts on pétanque:
Contemplating how close the boules are to the jack.
Standing within the ring to throw the boule.
Love this picture. Everyone is riveted.
The guy on the right was my favorite. He was usually holding a stogie in his mouth. Very funny, very vocal, very good at pétanque, and every so often, he threw a wink our way.
What both Don and I love about this game is its seeming simplicity, though it really isn’t, the fact that anyone can play it, and the camaraderie and conviviality that surround it. Every age is represented, as well as many ethnicities. Many of the players are real characters, in the best possible way. Everyone takes it seriously, but not so seriously that they cannot cheer on the other team, or stop to laugh, or acknowledge their own mistakes with a shrug. There’s none of the ‘look at me, look what I did!’ crap that you find in so many American sports.
This game is about sportsmanship, skill, and friendship. I lost count of how many times I saw a new player appear at the courts, ready for a game, but taking time to approach everyone for a kiss on both sides of the cheeks. Everyone seemingly knows everyone. They love greeting each other. They have a history together. They applaud each other. They laugh together.
It’s so civilized, in the best possible way. We learned a lot about it this time around, thanks to the young man I wrote about earlier in the week, who took the time to explain things to us. We love nothing more than sitting in the sun, watching a game or two.
Don dreams of being asked to play with them someday. Wouldn’t that be neat?
• When we did watch television in our hotel room, we watched a network called MezzoTV. It’s an arts station, based in Paris, and available throughout much of Europe and Canada. We loved the live recordings of orchestras, beautifully captured by the cameras. They also broadcast jazz and dance. It’s a gorgeous station and we hoped we would be able to subscribe to it when we got home. But it’s not available yet.
It was such a lovely escape from the news, an escape into the beauty of the arts. I messaged them on their Facebook page to see if they had plans for expanding into America and they said they hoped to in the future. Fingers crossed. We could use daily doses of MezzoTV.
Playing chess by the pétanque courts.
• We purchased this little book by Victor Hugo at one of the bouquinistes along the Seine. It was only 5 euros. As with all the antique books at the stalls, it was wrapped in a protective, clear acetate covering. We didn’t open it until we got to the cottage.
It’s very old. Imagine my delight when I saw the text:
It’s a play!
Meant to be.
• At the airport, Don and I found the coziest chairs!
Yes, there I am eating yet another macaron from the box we purchased the day before.
Ironically, just behind me and to the right was a Ladurée outpost in the airport.
I’m sure I’ll have more to share at some point, but I think I’ve covered most everything. We had a wonderful time. Couldn’t have asked for anything better.
We are in love, completely besotted, with Paris.
Happy Sunday.
Claudia, these were lovely posts. The keepsakes are wonderful. Hope Don gets feeling better soon. Verna
Thank you, Verna! Don is feeling a bit better today.
Move to Paris right now. Wouldn’t you love to wake up there every day. What are you waiting for? Life is short and you may die tomorrow. Live your dream today. You sound so happy when you talk about France. Think about it. I’m sure you could work it out if you tried.
Enough nagging from me. It’s none of my business, please forgive me. Yours truly Elaine
We pay a monthly mortgage and we’d have to sell our house – easier said than done!
Nothing to forgive as we’ve surely thought about it, Elaine!
I had many of the same thoughts as Elaine!
I was even trying to think how you could go about it! I think you might find both of your careers could be quite successful there even! they have different values. they seem to breathe the arts.
you have two wonderful friends who could keep an eye on your cottage. non? LOL!
everything is so seemingly complicated today. visas of different kinds and rentals and all that.
but if a person’s dream is all consuming enough… there is always a way! bonne chance!
oh. and thank you for this fabulous series. have loved it!
It would be hard to pay our monthly and large mortgage payment and also live in Paris, unfortunately!
We can dream, though. Thanks, Tammy!
(More than one story [I have too many to mention here] of older couples doing the leap to a permanent relocation – – one bought their dream home, a big ‘plantation’ house, ala antebellum historical home, in the South [Calif-born, too, and I figured they’d be right back here but, nope, they stayed for good, and it’s been twenty years now; friends of my parents]; another single/divorced gal who I knew from her many years of toiling at a small shop, buying a darling Victorian house for herself in a state far from Calif but nearer one of her adult children [and she’s happy as clams in her retirement, mostly because she’s in the home of her dreams where all her vintage furniture fits perfectly] – – or my former co-worker who sunk a well and bought ten acres in rural Pacific Northwest on land he’d owned for years while he suffered constant job reassignments all over the U.S., chronically pulling up roots [and he swore in retirement, never again]; SO many examples even in my own small world of people who’ve followed their heart while I tread water and only wax on about it, doing nothing and being unhappy where I am; but, see, Claudia – – you’re not really UNhappy where you are at the cottage, so it’s a bit different, true? Yes, you love Paris, but it’s not that you don’t love rural New York with its four seasons and your really-nice house, because you do, especially the outdoor space with your gorgeous gardens.)
I have two sets of former neighbors who moved to mountain/lake resorts elsewhere in Calif; one held on to their ‘main’ home so they’d have something to come back to if they changed their mind. But once they were at their heavenly destination, they knew they were ‘home-home’ so they sold the ‘main’ home and now they’re living a happily-retired life where they seemed to know they’d be most content, once unsaddled with their younger years’ obligations of jobs, kids, etc. (I’d thought, ‘wow, that seemed fast’ [the permanent decision to not have their ‘main’ house in their back pocket anymore] but nobody’s returned yet!) We have friends who lived on the Gulf Coast for a good 25 years and then retired to a beach community year’round in New Hampshire; I don’t think they knew much about New Hampshire, but it’s been seven years now. My dad’s friend retired from SoCalif to a ranch in the Sierras (mountain range near Sacramento in NorCalif); left for good and never looked back. My mom’s best friend, a widow, left Los Angeles and bought a pecan grove on the Central Coast of California where she didn’t know a soul; never missed the City one bit in retirement.
I could go on and on but won’t. We’re at ‘that age’ where so many people we’ve known have recently retired; my husband has two friends who’ve moved to the Pacific Northwest within the past three years, one is a widower, another married. In both circumstances, they went cold turkey, knowing nobody where they’ve landed. It hasn’t been a problem but instead a whole new, good life where they’ve met new friends. One of MY best friends’ sister retired early from L.A. and moved to the Hawaiian Islands, giving the high cost of living there nary a glance because the QUALITY of living is so superior. My husband’s aunt and uncle retired from another state and bought a high-desert ranch in Calif’s Mojave where they had a lot of fun raising horses and other farm animals. I have a retired in-law who’s intent on moving from one of the northern U.S. states to Central America. I do think a lot of seniors are ‘on the move’, not just within the U.S. Maybe it doesn’t always turn out that the grass is greener but in my experience of ‘getting out’? Success stories. Any homesickness seems to wear off fairly quickly.
It’s indeed something to think about but then quite another to act on it; still, as someone else said, at our ages, what are we waiting for? I have a former school-years acquaintance who moved permanently to Switzerland from California because she fell in love with it and they have exceptional health care, according to her. It was a big step, but that was 17 years ago and she didn’t have a lot of drama over it at all in the decision-making; was risky; she really knew no one there; she’s single. Was (I felt) a brave thing to do at age 50!
I don’t think outside-the-U.S. is a decision to be made lightly, though; for instance, Paris could be very expensive to live in on an ongoing basis, although I have no idea what rentals would cost; maybe an option would be for you to stay longer than two weeks, like find a place for two months out of each year (where you could cook in) as long as you had someone looking out for your home from time to time (in NY). I actually know of someone who does this, although it’s not in Paris: My cousin’s biological father does it with his current wife (he’s about age 77); they stay elsewhere in France about three months of every year; I don’t know the details; it’s some arrangement thru the wife. In other words, it can happen. They’re just ‘normal’ people; not rich folks. Apparently they just plan for it well.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could experience Paris for a month in the Spring and then again in October for another month (six-month increments)? I’ve read that the 3rd week in April (cherry trees in bloom) is excellent for a green-gorgeous and colorful-floral Paris and of course you already know when’s the right time to go in October.
For a long time, I hesitated to think of moving anywhere due to health problems and a good core of doctors from which I thought it would be foolhardy to be separated; now, they’ve moved on to other locations or retired (time does not stand still for anyone); so, again, I too ask myself, you’re waiting for what? Do you even know anymore? (Well, for one, I’d rather not see my house burned down in California wildfire.) But can’t this be figured out financially, I say again to myself? If it’s no longer about finding work, if it’s not about certain health providers or the like; if it’s not about grandkids you don’t want to leave, if it’s not about elder caregiving anymore, if it’s not a particularly-big ‘wrenching’ of roots from a certain house or certain friends or a certain church or certain town/area, why lose the dream? (Don’t lose the dream!) Life is ever-changing …fluid… and such a beautiful thing, to have freedom of choice for where your life should flow, no?
(I think your readers just feel your yearning thru your words, Claudia, wanting for your ultimate happiness, you and Don both [like if we can’t do it, you CAN!].)
It’s a complicated issue. Perhaps better to visit than live there. I don’t really know enough about the realities!
Thanks, Vicki!
You look divinely happy — as happy as I am when I read these posts. And how I love your musings on petanque. It sounds wonderful.
It is! We’re big fans. We’re going through withdrawal! Thanks, Jeanie!
Claudia, I’ve so enjoyed reading about your lovely visit to Paris and all of the beautiful photos! I’ve always wanted to go there, but my health problems and being in a wheelchair would make the trip quite difficult. I’ve heard from many that Europe, overall, is not very accessible for those that are disabled compared to here in the USA.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! I hope Don feels better quickly and you remain well too.
Take care,
Lily
Thank you, Lily! I’m glad you enjoyed the series.
Hi Claudia,
I hope very much that Don will feel better soon. Thank you again for your marvelous posts and sharing the trip with us. I agree with everyone that the cathedral photos were jaw dropping, and also, I was so moved by the art work of the animals, especially the lion, all so haunting and moving.
Thanks again to you and Don,
Alice
Thank you, Alice. It was my pleasure.
It’s been a lovely tour for your readers and it’s been so nice to see the small treasures you bought which will make you think of this city you love every time you see them displayed in your home.
Thanks again for taking your readers along on the trip and do hope Don feels better soon!
He’s feeling a bit better today, Vicki.
Thank you!
A very bohemian side of Paris.
Not sure what you mean other than the fact that Paris is a city full of artists and writers and creators. And there is beauty everywhere you turn.
What lovely memories you and Don have made in Paris. You can treasure these forever. Hope Don feels better.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.
Loved following your holiday to Paris. We all can dream…..Can you please tell me the name of the book on Shakespeare and Co?
Shakespeare and Company.
A history of the rag and bone shop of the heart.
Wonderful as always, Claudia! I thought at first that you were happy with the Victor Hugo book due to the Don characters! (Hopefully he is recovering now)
Thank you for taking us on your Parisian journey – jusqu’a la prochaine fois !
Happy Sunday
Nah. Because it’s a play.
Thank you Dee Dee!
This has been an amazing journey!! We thank you so much for taking us along. Wonderful to know that both of you want to return, as well. Having dreams certainly can help us move day by day through this crazy world.
Thanks again, Claudia & Don!!
Thank you, Chris!
Thanks to you, Claudia, I felt like I was there with you!
Hope it’s not too awfully long before you two return!
Thank you, Nancy!
So many wonderful photos, this post and previous. I wonder if there is a comfy chair in any airport in the US. I spent some time in Paris as an au pair after college. It’s time to go back. The shops you posted earlier (fabrics, lights, dishes), oh my, just incredible. I hope you and Don will get a chance to go back again. And again.
I’ve never seen such comfy chairs at any US airport, Lynda!
I so enjoyed this travelogue of yours…complete with pictures. It’s been a real treat. And, it’s been a nice diversion from reality. We take our diversions as we can…they are never as often as we would like, that’s for sure.
Paris is a special place for you and Don…I hope you get back there as soon as you are able! ;)
Thank you, Donna!
First things: I hope Don is feeling better and over whatever ails him at the moment. Nothing worse than a cold. You can’t really wallow because it’s just a cold and not, say, the plague. But nonetheless it is annoying and uncomfortable.
Secondly – I love your photos of the people playing pétanque. Very reminiscent of Bocce Ball. A very wise man (okay the waiter at our local Bocce Ball venue) said “It takes minutes to learn, but a life time to master.” Truer words….
Thank you for taking us on your trip vicariously. :)
He’s slowly getting better, Andrea.
Love those wise words about Bocce Ball! I suspect they hold true for petanque, as well.
Thanks, Andrea!
I really enjoyed your Paris series. Like some others have mentioned, I was wondering if you and Don have considered selling your house and moving to Paris. It seems like you two would fit it pretty seamlessly.
I find that sad that a foreigner would be afraid to visit our country. In general, the US is considered safe. But I suppose when all someone sees is sensationalized media, especially with the mass shootings, that they’d consider the entire country as unsafe.
Hope Don is feeling better!
Oops, that’s supposed to be *fit IN.
xo
Paris is a very expensive city in which to live. Dreaming of it is one thing, actually doing it is another. So the answer is I don’t know.
Even accounting for sensationalized media, the sheer amount of mass shootings we have in this country is far, far beyond most other, what we call ‘civilized’, countries. Thanks, Melanie.
So much love for Paris in every word you write. Thank you!
You’re welcome, my friend. I hope you’re feeling better.
Hi Claudia
Haven’t commented for ages but read your blog often
This time last year we came to Sydney for a holiday, and completely fell in love with the city
So
We are selling up in the UK and we live here now
It’s never too late
Siobhan
Good for you, Siobhan! How very exciting!