who knew...

...a simple breakfast could be so extravagant & delicious?


...the metro could provide miles of EASY transportation and entertainment?

...the most fabulous authentic French lunch would come from the smallest guidebook in the most obscure neighborhood?

...that Paris had another waterway besides the Seine (including 'baby' locks)???

...Sacre Coeur would be SO worth the trek up a million stairs through the seediest, most touristy part of town?

...the Eiffel Tower can stand on it's side? maybe not...you probably can believe that I have tried for several days to straighten out this favorite picture...c'est la vie!

...I could look so gloriously happy in the pouring rain after a 15 hour day??? (O.k. it might have something to do with standing on top of the Eiffel tower with my great new friend overlooking the City of Lights ☺☺☺) Vie, c'est bon!!!!

rockin' women

"The common woman is as common as a thunderstorm."

--Judy Grahn

all photos from the musee d'orsay...an absolute must see!!!!

merci pour cette charmante journee...

Be sure to check out "Diamonds" for more commentary and photos. I am loving all of the comments, but have noticed that many of you wonderful readers are still noticeably absent. I'd love to hear a quick "Bon jour" to know you are here with me! I have realized that for someone who loves words and conversation, being in a foreign country limits those kinds of interactions...i.e. i love YOUR words so please say hello!!!

(title translation...thank you for a lovely day!)

seeing red

1st door is on the side of notre dame. next door & "bourbon street" sign are on the ile de la cite. remainder photos were taken this morning while circling the block of my neighborhood--(anxiously awaiting tess' arrival.)

window shopping

window dressing spotted at chanel in the champs-elysees arrondissements. patriotic, huh?

just one of the beautiful stained glass windows at notre dame cathedral. amazing!!

art that caught my eye on the ile st. louis while looking for berthillon ice cream which is purported to be the "best ice cream in the world"...i opted instead for the most delicious l'aubergine et fromage le sandwich (that's eggplant & cheese...but doesn't it even sound tastier en francais?) berthillon will have to wait for another day.

and just in case, you are wondering...if yesterday and today were my only days here, it would have been well worth the trip!! i think it's time for quiche et vin. au revoir et a bientot!

welcome to my neighborhood

"Today help me ask questions without worrying about looking foolish, and respond to questions in the most helpful way I can." ~~anonymous

the "window" and the "bike" were both taken while i was having lunch at cafe du marche where i ordered a caesar salad because it was the only thing i recognized on the menu and for some silly reason the waiter thought i spoke french. the salad i received did not resemble anything close to what i thought i ordered. did i ask any questions? heck, no. i probably didn't want to appear foolish ☺. (it's a lot easier to be brave and witty in your native language.)

i found this little church and courtyard tucked in among the shops along the rue de grenelle. it is a lovely little sanctuary in all respects and the blooming flowers were welcome additions to a very gray day! (the weather is almost exactly what i left behind in seattle...guess that makes me prepared, huh?)

too pooped for many more words tonight! it's been a long day of traveling and exploring. mais c'est tres bon! (but it's very good!!!) au revoir et bon soir. a bientot!

chapter one

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." ~Lao Tzu

winging my way toward the city of lights. if all goes well, i will be arriving at the arc de triomphe around 10:00 a.m. thursday morning (2:00 a.m. pst).

i think i will be better prepared to follow lao tzu's wise words once i have landed, found my apartment and dropped off my bags...then begins the "no fixed plans" except, of course, to meet my friend, tess (who i have never before met) for lunch on saturday. we plan to let the wind blow us where it may...in other words, we hope to be quite "good travelers!"