Friday, September 6th
Looking back the last couple of days: Craig and I have had a great time. Dinner again with Stas and Pauline! Another Galette! Many more glasses of wine in Cafe’s and strolls along the Seinne with incredible views, always!
Tuesday we went to Montmartre. A great brunch at Cafe Richards, although I have a feeling the food was better at the cafe kiddy corner from us, where they had morning vegetarian Galettes! However our view and the people watching was simply divine!
We wandered up to Sacre Coeur for an incredible view of Paris, wending our way down through a total different part of Montmartre closer to where Van Gogh lived. I recommend hold off on food until you reach La Maison Rose on your way down, the back way down from Sacre Coeur! You will not be disappointed!
Wednesday we took the train to Versailles, choosing not to tour the palace dripping in gold and instead meandered through the town. Craig got to show me all the things he and Alex did, all in all they were three days in Versailles. Best part, was being introduced to Chloe’, artist and owner of thee best cafe in town, The Stray Bean! Food and cafe creme superb.
That evening in honor of my writing, we went to Hemingway’s Bar! Exorbitant prices and actually, best decadence of the week! Maybe only decadence, other than the obvious…we are in PARIS! They had drinks concoctions such as; The tears I cried in November, Grace under pressure, Venice was such beautiful experience, London is a lovely city but I definitely prefer Paris! I chose a classic, The Serendipity Cocktail, “made in a tumbler with delicious Calvados from Normandy, fresh mint, bitter sweet apple juice from the Normandy region and Sparkling Champagne. A favorite in the bar for over 25 years”. And Craig – The Classic Manhattan!
The walk home simply magical with a sliver of the moon hung right next to the Eiffel Tower on one of the clearest of nights.
Thursday we walked the Promenade Plantee’, it’s in the south-east quadrant of Paris, the 12th arrondissement. This elevated old rail bed has 10 metres of pure bliss wending right through Paris. Magically quiet as it hovers over the bustle of city life. It’s greenery flows and the art and buildings along the way captivate! The High Line in NYC was designed after this stretch of railroad turned park! Both a must see.
Friday after another 6 mile loop arround the Seinne for one last quiche at Shakespeare’s cafe, we rode the metro and the RER to get Craig back to the Airport.
On my way back to Madeleine Station the train/metro was long and packed with humanity. Moving from the RER back to the metro at Chatelet’ was a stream of people side by side, like sardines packed in a can.
As I emerged from the subway; out of the crowds and into the light, the sky was threatening wind and rain, and everyone was scurrying home or to meet friends on a Friday night in the city of lights!
I decided what I needed, right then, were flowers! After oogling over all the beautiful fresh flowers, I made a practical decision to buy 5 euros of dried lavender. You’d think I’d spent 50 the way she wrapped them as a gift for me. First in purple tissue, then in her white wrapping, delicately tied with a brown ribbon, topped off with her pink sticker,, “Girls and Roses”, just to seal the deal
Ahhhhh Princess Theresa for the night!
I felt so special grocery shopping after that, with my gift to me, proudly on my arm!
Welcome to Wonder 