Blog 4 – We went to Paris last week!
Andy has global work responsibilities, this means a trip to Paris is part of his job; of course, I went. Taking the Eurostar Train, it is two and a quarter hours London to Paris; city center to city center. Of course, I went. There is so much written already about the people, the streets, the museums, the shops, the food, the wine, the light; I won’t attempt to write all that again, here.
What I will write here, is that we went to Paris last week. We saw new people and old friends. In a coincidence of timing we were able to connect with our old friends Art and Annmarie who we have known via P&G going way back. We worked together, went through graduate courses together, and even lived together for a while. Over the intervening years, all our lives continued to go forward; we all had children, A & A moved away from California; Green Bay, Cincinnati, Connecticut, then Singapore, now Paris. We moved away from California; Baltimore and now London. It was great to talk with fellow Americans who understand how frustrating it is to have your children’s address have to be your address because your credit card company does not accept a residence outside the US. Or, the little things you can miss like Hidden Valley Ranch dressing or Puffs tissues.
We went to Paris last week. Art and Annmarie were able to spend time with me during the day; it is great to have personal guides who know the streets and speak English and even some handy French. We went to museums, parks, cafes, and shops. We drank coffee au lait; and ate croissants, baguettes, and falafels. We examined the Le Marias for signs of Jewish life both historically and in the present. We were not disappointed; we were overwhelmed. Our route, our stopping points, and my reflections on what we saw and learned are just too complicated and detailed to include in this short posting.
In the evening Andy joined us; the first night for Mexican food (in Paris!) and on Friday, as we made our way to the Galleries Lafayette. (https://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/galeries-lafayette-the-best-shopping-mall-in-paris/) This is not just a beautiful and incredibly expensive shopping area; this is a ‘whole nuther thing’. The American idea of ‘mall’ does not fit for this building which is arranged more like a six-story indoor street market, only the shops are Chanel, Dior, and other expensive designers and retailers I don’t even know. The building itself is gorgeous! The domed ceiling is a tremendous work of stained-glass art that must be seen in person to fully take in the scope and detail. And, as A & A showed us, there is a rooftop deck. You can see for miles from the top of the building. After taking in that view, (the Arc de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower, the Pompidou Center, the Opera Garnier) we went next door to another shopping center, the Printemps (http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/store/haussmann/) This building is not as gorgeous on the inside and the shops are still expensive, but the rooftop deck was beautiful. It had an outdoor restaurant with planters of trees, shrubs, flowers and lights which encircled us as we enjoyed a glass of wine while the sun went down over Paris, the Eiffel Tower et al in the distance. The remainder of the evening was spent laughing, eating and sampling absinthe at the L’ Absinthe restaurant (http://www.restaurantabsinthe.com/) We think we had a great time, but that may be just the absinthe’s effects.
We went to Paris last week. On my own for a day, following Boulevard Saint Michel, which fronts Notre Dame Cathedral, I located the Cluny Museum, The National Museum of the Middle Ages. (https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/) You might be thinking, that this does not sound like a fun place – oh, but it is. It is unfortunate that the building/s are undergoing renovation through 2020 so not all of it was open; in fact, almost all the “middle ages” is not open, but enough to make an interesting afternoon was available. Special exhibits included a section devoted to magical unicorns. This incorporated tapestries based on the six senses which date back to the 1500’s. (yes, the Middle Ages) (https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/collection/oeuvre/la-dame-a-la-licorne.html) Can’t go wrong with a good fabric exhibit. But that is not the best part – the museum itself is built over Roman ruins! The public baths have been excavated and some areas are available to walk into and touch. The baths date back to the 1st century; and I could touch them! It’s a time/space/history thing for me. (https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/lieu/les-thermes-antiques.html)
We went to Paris last week! And if that weren’t enough, we finished our week by going to Disneyland, Paris. We left the yellow vests protesting in the streets and took the RER train to pure escapism. While we felt a few things could have been better marked; there is no missing Disneyland from the train station; the entrances to Disneyland, Disney Studios, and Disney Village literally meet in front of the station and there is nothing else. We love most things Disney; they are well run, clean, the rides are fun, and all is thematically on point. Some attractions and shops were not open because of the time of year, but this did not impact what mattered to us. Some parts of the parks were crowded, with long waits for the popular attractions. We had a “Fastpass” which allows you to get a time-stamped ticket to come back to a popular ride later. We used this for Star Wars Hyper Space Mountain – receiving a time two hours later gave us the opportunity to get some lunch, do “It’s a Small World” and the “Tea Cups” before returning and walking right onto the ride. Whooo, Wheee, what a ride it is too – I don’t remember that Space Mountain had a 360-degree loop. By the end of our three days we felt we did all Disneyland Paris had to offer, in some cases doing the same rides multiple times. (Highly recommend the Buzz Lightyear Laser ride, fun and interactive; and no loops) And, the last day it snowed! A beautiful park made even more so by mother nature’s handywork.
Disney themes are self-reinforcing and self-promoting. (Marketing 223) In Cinderella’s Castle you can buy Cinderella’s dress. You can then wear the dress to the parade in the afternoon where Cinderella will wave to you while you listen to the “someday my prince will come” song and then wear it again later to the Illuminations show where once more you will see pictures of the princesses and hear the songs to end your Disney day. The same characters, songs, and themes repeat at every opportunity; Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Frozen. Shop, see, hear, experience. Notably for this trip was the inclusion of the Lion King and the theme/song Circle of Life. As I wrap up this trip, I think the Lion King analogy fits the best; we had sun, clouds, and snow. We had highs and lows in a city with its own highs and lows, past and present. And in meeting up with Art & Annmarie we are reminded it is a good time to review and celebrate our own Circle of Life. I do love a good circle.