'A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty and in the point of life.' Thomas Jefferson
'Respirer Paris cela conserve l'ame.' Breathing Paris preserves the soul. Victor Hugo.
'When spring came, even the false spring, there was no problem other than where to be happiest.' Ernest Hemingway.
So much has been written so elegantly about Paris ... I hardly dare offer any words. But I can say that The French and I enjoyed a wonderful two days under bright blue, cloudless skies with the sun much warmer than usual for this time of year. Perhaps a false spring? ... then how lucky for me that we arrived in Paris on the same day.
While Paris is home to so much grandeur, for me the beauty is in the detail - the chairs of the sidewalk cafes, the waiters in traditional garb, the 'art of table' at even the most modest restaurant, the artistry of the window displays, the almost 'secret' passages - the original streets of old Paris - which we tourists can only discover by happy accident, and the rich history brought to life even through a simple street sign. Oh, and the food!
All you need do to appreciate Paris is to walk, keep your eyes open, and take it all in. And that's what The French and I have done for these past two days. Of course my photos can't capture the ambience, but that's all I can offer.
Meeting two of Domi's daughters and their families, provided more highlights of our first two days in Paris. I felt very welcome and at ease and was grateful not to have to rely on my very limited French! Merci Aliona and Bruno, and Lucile and Nicolas for your kindness and warm welcome. See you again soon.
Merci also to Domi not only for being my guide but also for finding our apartment for our time in Paris, owned by the delightful and interesting Madame Galit Bilbaum. Now retired, Madame Bilbaum rents her apartment to visitors from time to time for additional income. She explained to us that her life had been in three parts - life on a kibbutz in Israel, a long career as a stage actress in Paris, then retraining as a librarian to provide some security in later years. Her compact but 'perfectly formed' apartment was vibrant with sunlight and colour, and filled with artefacts from each part of the life she'd briefly described. She is interested in 'our story' and said she felt that we three were already almost friends. She asked that we send her a postcard or two from our Camino. And we will.
We said goodbye to Madame Bilbaum in Paris this morning and tonight we are in Domi's home in Pierre la Treiche. On Sunday we will drive to Grindelwald in Switzerland. More of that in my next post in a few days time.
In the meantime, it was lovely to hear from you Helen, Marian, Rosanne and Annette. Sending love and best wishes
A bientot
Jenny x - and The French.
