As I mentioned in my launch post for Paris in July, we were supposed to visit Paris in April but of course that didn't happen. However, in preparation for that trip, I had a number of posts written so that I would have content while I was away. There are a few different things I had lined up, including quotes from books I have read this year that caught my attention. Here is a quote about the city and about scarves from the book Sixty Summers by Amanda Hampson. For the record, I am a bit like Maggie when it comes to scarves!
When Maggie joined Rose and Fran downstairs, she suggested they walk away from the restaurant area near the Notre Dame,with its tourist menus and spruikers urging customers inside. Better to cross the Seine to Le Marais and find more authentic and better-priced restaurants.
The evening air, crisp and fresh after the stuffy room, lifted her spirits. She reminded herself that they were in Paris. Everyone loves Paris. And while it would be impossible for the city to fulfil every gold promise, it did deliver on so many. It was an unexpected glimpse of the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the night or the rich buttery smell of a patisserie. A cafe noir, served in a small white cup in a cafe on the Champs-Elysees. Couples pausing in the street to share a lingering kiss, buskers playing haunting Edith Piaf songs on accordions, and Parisians displaying their effortless je ne sais quoi with nothing more than a cunningly knotted scarf. When Maggie tied a scarf like that, it looked as though she was nursing a sore throat or disguising a raddled neck.
Now to be fair, I do know that not everyone loves Paris but a lot of people do!! I visited Paris way back in 1994 so it has been a while since I visited, but I do know that I love the idea of visiting Paris again. You only have to search my blog to find that I have been dreaming of doing so for many, many years. And it will happen, it's just that I have no idea when in this current climate!
I arrived in the city on December 23 so I was lucky to see the city all dressed up. I was also lucky enough to see a very small number of snow flakes which was very exciting for this Australian who was not used to seeing snow at all!
One of my favourite memories was going to a midnight mass on Christmas Eve in a church around the corner from our hotel, which I have posted about before!
I look forward to creating more Paris memories!
Hi Marg! I've never been to Paris. Would love to go some day. You should chat to Deb Nanz at Readerbuzz. She also wallows about Paris.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
Yes, I was very envious when Deb was posting about her trip to Paris earlier in the year!
Deleteparis! Is mt favourite city -- my dream is to visit there in Summer because I've only ever been in winter!! Sighs happily. One day I will go back Marg!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Verushka!
DeleteI've been once and fell in love! I do hope I can go again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can too Mystica!
DeleteI'm a big fan of scarves also, and always envy the style with which French women can wear them so beautifully. I had a couple of rather small cotton ones that didn't look very good with any outfits... now they are in constant use as face coverings! The bigger ones were ok before the weather turned, but now too hot. I think they are as effective as cloth masks if put on correctly.
ReplyDeletebe well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Good recycling there Mae!
DeleteI loved Paris before I ever visited there, when I was a small child. I've been three times now. I hope to go again. I'm so sorry that your trip was cancelled.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Deb! I've come to terms with it now. Almost!
Deletei've never been to paris tho hubby has. one day...
ReplyDeleteOne day Sherry!
DeleteI would love to have a second home there.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be amazing!
DeleteI think that Paris comes out like a very romantic and nice place, through guide books, bloggers and fiction books. It has, like all big cities, different lives. To live there all the time, might not be such a great thing. However, for people like us, we can take the raisins out of the cake and enjoy our special treats of Paris.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true Lisbeth. It's easy to see the romantic side of the city without acknowledging the reality for those who actually live there.
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