Home from Paris
My bags were unpacked quickly last evening, but the memory of two weeks, living in the heart of Paris, will linger as pervasively as the odor of the fromagerie that cured its cheeses in a cave under our apartment.
"What do you do for two weeks?", friends ask, and the reply is, mostly walk around. I can wile away a day finding a replacement pocket knife for my brother, pausing for late lunch, strolling through the Jardin du Luxembourg.
A few travel fragments:
In a coals-to-Newcastle moment, I took an Hermes replica bag to a Parisienne. My French friend W., who lives in my city, has the bag connection, and her GFs in Paris are apparently crazy for them. The recipient, Jeanne, could clearly afford the real thing, but prefers to use the co
py as a market shopping bag- this is her third purchase.
The usual apartment was unliveable, thanks to massive construction immediately behind it. (No, they didn't tell us when we rented it.) We called the agency and within two hours were upgraded to these cavernous digs on rue St-Jacques (5th arr.), with a full view of the Tour Eiffel from two windows and the dome of the Pantheon from the living room. Breakfast in full view of the Tour, that's living!
Regarding shopping, I was dazzled yet selective. Paris is an endless cornucopia of pleasures, it's easy to be captivated. I'd rather enjoy a few treasures than drown in goods and the resulting bills. Will pry my camera from a son's hands this weekend and post a few examples.
Regarding style, I'll echo Deja Pseu's observation that French women (of both my age cohort and younger) are looser, less coiffed and made up; this deliberately effortless look very consciously achieved, and anchored by impeccable grooming.
Precise hair and make up (as W's friend Jeanne said) are the sad territory of the unconfident
woman. Jeanne wore five massive rings, her hair loose, casually pushed back, kohl on the eye, a bit of lip gloss. Cashmere, jeans, great boots, suede and fur jacket.
(This photo, of the Canadian writer Nancy Huston, who has lived in Paris for decades, exemplifies the look.)
Much more long hair on 50+ women, fewer contact lenses. Eyewear is huge in Paris.
And now, waking early, re-entering the usual demands of work and family, I have weeks of your blogs to catch up reading, a pleasure!
"What do you do for two weeks?", friends ask, and the reply is, mostly walk around. I can wile away a day finding a replacement pocket knife for my brother, pausing for late lunch, strolling through the Jardin du Luxembourg.
A few travel fragments:
In a coals-to-Newcastle moment, I took an Hermes replica bag to a Parisienne. My French friend W., who lives in my city, has the bag connection, and her GFs in Paris are apparently crazy for them. The recipient, Jeanne, could clearly afford the real thing, but prefers to use the co
py as a market shopping bag- this is her third purchase.The usual apartment was unliveable, thanks to massive construction immediately behind it. (No, they didn't tell us when we rented it.) We called the agency and within two hours were upgraded to these cavernous digs on rue St-Jacques (5th arr.), with a full view of the Tour Eiffel from two windows and the dome of the Pantheon from the living room. Breakfast in full view of the Tour, that's living!
Regarding shopping, I was dazzled yet selective. Paris is an endless cornucopia of pleasures, it's easy to be captivated. I'd rather enjoy a few treasures than drown in goods and the resulting bills. Will pry my camera from a son's hands this weekend and post a few examples.
Regarding style, I'll echo Deja Pseu's observation that French women (of both my age cohort and younger) are looser, less coiffed and made up; this deliberately effortless look very consciously achieved, and anchored by impeccable grooming.
Precise hair and make up (as W's friend Jeanne said) are the sad territory of the unconfident
woman. Jeanne wore five massive rings, her hair loose, casually pushed back, kohl on the eye, a bit of lip gloss. Cashmere, jeans, great boots, suede and fur jacket.(This photo, of the Canadian writer Nancy Huston, who has lived in Paris for decades, exemplifies the look.)
Much more long hair on 50+ women, fewer contact lenses. Eyewear is huge in Paris.
And now, waking early, re-entering the usual demands of work and family, I have weeks of your blogs to catch up reading, a pleasure!
Comments
It's great to have you back.
What did you wear the most and did you find your shoes?
Can't wait!emili
You can find photos, location and a description of what to expect at
http://www.traveltowellness.com/parishammam
It's great to be back, thanks for your welcome!
I have no qualms about my long unkempt hair now...something should always be left undone and for me it's my hair.
I am glad you are back and want to hear about FOOD!