Restorations take place all the time in Paris. One of the things I admire about French culture, is that old edifices are more likely to be restored than torn down and replaced with some modern building. That certainly is the case with Notre Dame and a recently visited medieval jewel in the Marais. On a personal …
Restorations: Notre Dame de Paris, a Medieval Monastery and Me Read More »
Some of you may have noticed and questioned why I have not been posting regularly for a while. Not out of choice, mind you. Instead, I had been called to do a new modeling project. Since April, I have been hanging around white-coated photographers, posing for rather shadowy black and white photos. Unfortunately, I wasn’t …
It is so ironic that la Conciergerie, the medieval prison where Marie Antoinette, spent her final days being insulted, taunted, humiliated, and hated has been the star draw for this haunting yet stunning edifice! Advertised as Marie Antoinette’s prison, I decided to go back again after several years. The first time, years ago, I felt too …
La Conciergerie Where Marie Antoinette Spent Her Final Days Read More »
Before the break of day, sounds of horse-drawn wagons brimming with freshly caught oysters and fish from the coast trotted along to be unloaded at Les Halles, whose stalls lined the street, now metamorphosed into lively Rue Montorgueil. Unlike humans, whose psychic infrastructure generally remains the same, streets and neighborhoods change over time. Of course, …
Ancient Fish Road With a Sleazy Squalid Past, Now Vibrant Food Rue Montorgueil Read More »
There is something magical when the Paris sky darkens and the lights start to glow! The city of lights and all its beauty takes on another glorious dimension. It is as though the air electrifies to a higher energy level and vibration, a real mood booster. Any time of year Paris is a feast for …
I won’t be surprised if I hear the sound of scraping metal and concrete during the night this weekend! It’s Halloween time and instead of goblins flying around, the cataphiles will be crawling down to the Catacombs. This scene plays out my 8-floor balcony every year. They have to be quick to avoid any patrolling …
Catacombs, A Scary Dangerous Place To Be Halloween Or Anytime Read More »
I didn’t plan on getting caught up in a crowded party scene again. I just wanted to go to Montmartre to get another photo of Place de Tertre for my granddaughter Isabelle, a very talented budding artist. Paris rarely has such a perfect Automne day as last Sunday. The sky was a piercing deep blue …
I felt hot and thirsty waiting in line to show my Pass Sanitaire(proof of vaccination QR code) to get inside the open-air exhibition. It was Journées de Patrimoine(Heritage Days) and there were presentations of the various workers who are involved in the herculean renovation of this magnificent cathedral, whose sight against the cerulean blue sky …
Meet The Unique Workers Restoring Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral Read More »
Listen, this may seem like a pretty petty post. The title borders on the ridiculous perhaps. Anyhow, I am writing; however vapid the subject, except for my reflections on La Tour de France. Nothing serious or important, just a glimpse into one of my recent Sundays and my thoughts on competition. Why? Racing came into …
Racing Around; My Sunday Pastry Versus La Tour de France Read More »
June is Pride month when Pride parades allow LGBTQ+ people to come out and be as wild, outlandish, and exuberantly flamboyant as they want. It’s all great fun and a joyous occasion to be seen and heard. Being who you are is about the healthiest accomplishment you can do in living your life. It’s the …
The fact that Notre Dame is still standing is said to have been a miracle. The mere reality that you and I are still here having survived so far the 8th deadliest global pandemic is also a miracle! Sunday, I spent a good part of my afternoon doing what I love to do on a …
Notre Dame, A Symbol of Our Own Resiliency, Renewal and Resurrection Read More »
Hemmingway described Paris being a movable feast. Certainly, it is with all the beautiful sights, but also a tantalizing olfactory feast for your nose! Because of recent confinements, when I couldn’t go around as freely as before, I started to be more nostalgic of some of the marvelous smells of Paris. I don’t go anywhere …