Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Giggle From Paris


"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast."
Ernest Hemingway

This was the sight I took in last week while sipping cafe creme at Paul Bakery on Rue St. Michel in Paris. How did this happen? My girlfriend called me fourteen days ago and casually asked, "Do you want to go to Paris?" Faster than one can inhale a pain aux raisin I booked a flight and found a flat in Montmartre. We walked, ate, drank, shot and simply lived a spectacular week. Here's a glimpse.



Not all bikes are in such a sorry state. The Velib system allows you to rent a bike for 1 Euro a day and cycle all through Paris provided you return the rental within 30 minutes to a Velib station. What a remarkable way to see Paris! Nothing compares to cycling the immense courtyard of the Louvre and exploring its empty corners abandoned by weary pedestrians.





then joining the deranged traffic around the Concord roundabout (sans bike helmet augh!)

and cycling through the changing colours of the Champs D'lysses.


Three months ago I was incessantly watching Jason Mraz videos particularly his Live High video from Paris. I never expected to be walking /cycling those same streets before the year was finished. This shows me once again that I need to set my sights higher. Dream with more boldness.


3 comments:

ms toast burner said...

WOW! How wonderful!

I remember your Jason Mraz post and I also remember your 'If I could fly' post:
http://digitalperspectives.blogspot.com/2009/06/cliffs-of-dover.html

While last week wasn't the 'European cycling trip' I would think that cycling around Paris at a moments notice seems to show that your sights are pretty bang-on marvelous! And maybe allows an attitude of 'yeah, let's go!' Give yourself some credit, woman!
:-)

It must have been glorious in the fall!

Kathreen said...

Oh! I completely forgot about my declaration when I was in Paris. That's right! I did it! Thanks for the reminder.

Mary Sanseverino said...

Wow -- what stunning light!! Wish I was there.