Alone in Paris

Here I am, all alone in Paris!  I saw Vanessa off this morning.  She has to go back to work tomorrow (Chicago Public Radio) and even spend three hours on the air after what will be a very long day today for her.  Last night we celebrated the end of her visit to Paris with a fragrant and delicious dinner at an Indian restaurant near where we live.  It rained most of yesterday so we both caught up on some rest, reading and writing.  In the afternoon we went down to the Seine (2 blocks) to take a tour boat ride.  We sat in a glass covered boat next to the open window and watched as the Lovre, the Tuilleries, Place de la Concord, the Eiffel Tower, the Musee D'Orsay, the smallest house in Paris, the oldest bridge in Paris (gift of Louis XIV) and a million other wonders slowly passed by.  Delightful.

The day before, I went to the museum D'Orsay with Dorit and Cohav.  Aside from being there with a tired ten year old, it was outstanding.  I loved the Manets, Pissaros, the Van Goghs, the Monets, Renoirs.  There were others, too, but these guys were the ones whose work I adored....especially Monet, Manet and Pissaro.  I saw Whistler's Mother!  It was a pretty dour painting, actually, and huge.  There was a large body of work by Degas...what a prolific artist.  The above photo of one of his small sculptures reminded me of me, so I took a picture of it.  My body has been cooperating fairly well here in Paris.  It helps if I can lie down every once in a while.  

 

Today, Monday, the sun is out and so am I.  Right now I'm sitting at a different bistro that advertises Wi-fi on their window.  I was hoping to be able to retrieve my emails, but, alas, no.  So, know that your comments to me on this blog are greatly appreciated.  This little restaurant sits at the intersection of 5 busy streets; cars, scooters, motos, people, trucks, bicycles.  And, as always, many people with long scarves wrapped around their necks, following the dictates of fashion.  Moi, I walk around with my big hat and sunglasses looking like I don't know what and caring less.  I could get used to this place quite easily.  

I really do feel unfettered and alive.  The shopping in this city is unbelievable.  Everywhere I go (which is always by foot) I window shop.  Today, many shops are closed because it's Monday.  If anyone needs a purse, there are 437 million of them for sale in Paris.  Tomorrow, I plan to walk to Rue de Rome which is where all the violin shops are.  Hopefully, I won't get lost as it will be a long, long walk to get there, if I can manage to take a direct route.  No birds have shit on me since the second Eiffel Tower visit.  I don't need to go there again.

Tonight I write.  I have put my story into chapters.  It may not sound like much, but, believe me....it is!!