WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE, TOTO!!!!

In our case, we weren't in Paris anymore!!!  Last weekend we took the Eurostar to London to meet up with Andy who was there on business.

Gare du Nord - Paris

David loves trains and train stations!

Because he had meetings all week, we zoomed in Sunday afternoon (there was actually a two-hour delay while we were on the train😖), strolled with Andy and had a fun dinner, then had to say goodbye.  A short visit but sweet after months of not seeing any of our kids.

But the minute we got to London, we knew "we weren't in Kansas anymore"!!  The train station we came into, Saint Pancras, was fabulous!!  Much more beautiful than Gard du Nord in Paris.

The outside of Saint Pancras

Above the statue a pink sign- "I want my time with  you"

Ye olde English taxi!!!

Remember phone booths?????

The London cab (which we did take from the station) and the English phone booths were sure signs we had crossed over!!!!  The hotel where we spent the night, The Doubletree, was in the City of Westminster (a borough of Greater London).  The area around it was typical old English, red brick buildings (many), lots of trees and all kinds of pubs, restaurants and shops.  I've always loved the Haussmann buildings in Paris (you always know you're in Paris), but the brick, shuttered row houses around our hotel were beautiful as well.  Also, and I remember this from my very first trip to London 25 years ago, there were magnificent flowering baskets hanging from light posts and flower boxes on many windows.

Our hotel-loved the flags and flower boxes to the left

Love learning history of a place

The three of us walked around Grosvenor Square, grabbed a treat and sat on a bench talking, catching up and people watching.  Sitting there we noticed these elephant statues placed around the park each painted differently.  Of course, we had to check it out!!  It seems they are in various places throughout London and are being sold by auction to help preserve Asian elephants.  They were really pretty, and on Monday David and I found a store that had smaller versions (varied sizes) being sold for the same purpose.  No, I did not buy one, but they were pretty cool!!!

Elephants everywhere-even outside the Square

Andy and friend!!

Monday morning David was up early as usual so he strolled around checking out the sights and getting his daily steps!

Look who David spotted on his a.m. walk-Churchill and FDR!!

Buckingham Palace

Once I was up and we'd had breakfast,  I got my steps in by finding the closest Victoria Secret where I could stock up on some necessary items (and then some!!) since the French lingerie stores are out of my retirement budget!!!!!  This VS is the largest one, I guess, and it was phenomenal!!!!!!!  Seriously, I could have spent lots more than I did!!!!  In our walk there, we passed (of course) lots of various shops where I probably would shop if I lived there and some cute little areas similar to the passageways of Paris.

What a staircase! Had to be careful not to trip down!!!

English-looking buildings and a little passageway too!

By this time, my leg was beginning to hurt from all the walking and it was warm so we decided to go to the station and see if there was any possibility we could get an earlier train to Paris.  But no luck😞.  So we sat and waited till it was time to head back.  The shops at the station are great so we did a little shopping...David always has currency he doesn't want to bring back and so I HAVE to find something to spend it on!!!  Life is tough!!!!

All in all, it was a really nice two days.  We've always liked London, but after living in Paris for almost four months now, I have to say Paris has won our hearts!  London was too big, too busy and too dirty.  While we may be City Mice, these two City Mice want their corner patisserie, their cafe culture and their quiet,  Eiffel Tower-facing street.

Note: This picture of our street was taken in March!!!!

COUNTRY MOUSE-CITY MOUSE, A MONASTIC RETREAT - Part 2

Remember the story Country Mouse-City Mouse??  I read it many times to my children when they were little.  I always felt fondly toward the Country Mouse who so loved his simple, comfortable lifestyle.  I think, perhaps, I was the Country Mouse...in the suburbs!  I loved hanging clothes on a clothesline outside, I loved baking homemade goodies for after-school snacks, I loved cleaning house (even tasks like washing windows).  I tried a little gardening (I don't think I was meant to be a farmer!!!) and I tried canning (I had a farmer's daughter neighbor who taught me!!!).  Country Mouse!!!

And then I visited the city, the big city, New York.  I was mesmerized.  I remember walking down the streets in a particular neighborhood gawking at the apartments, brownstones, markets, and seeing people going about their lives in this busy, noisy environment.  And I told David, "I think I could live here!".

The holidays anywhere are fabulous, but in New York City everything becomes magical.  I'm told that's also true of Paris.  I'll let you know!!

Fast forward many years and, as you know my story, that urban lifestyle fantasy came back to me via our European travels, then to our townhouse lifestyle and now to Paris.  Now I am City Mouse.

Perhaps.

One afternoon of the retreat we walked with a friend down to the Loire River.  It was pretty, but I was most enamored with some of the stone cottages along the river where people lived.  The yards, for the most part, were lovely with lots of trees and flowers and the cottages looked just like you imagine or read about it books.  What would it be like living across the road (seen below) from a river like this?

Later, we took the opportunity to stroll through the little village (what's the difference between a town and a village?????) Saint-Benoit-Sur-Loire.  It was a cute little place with a market (we only saw one-surely there's another somewhere!!!), a couple of small hotels with small restaurants, a boulangerie-patisserie, city hall, a school, a community center, some small businesses and a cafe.  We walked down the quiet cobblestone streets stopping for an ice cream cone and again I wondered how everyday life would be there.

The village of Saint-Benoit-Sur-Loire

I think I could ride a bike here!!!

And I wondered if I could be a Country Mouse again???  Driving to the retreat, as I mentioned in my previous post, we drove through many "villages".  Some were very small (not for us) and some were too big (not what I'd want either-might as well stay in the city).  But, then, there were some that were just right (I'm back to children's stories -  The Three Bears!!!!!).  Cute, stone buildings, small cafes, flowers in boxes and hanging from light posts, open markets and people shopping, chatting with friends or sharing a cafe.  Could I live this type of French life????

David and I talked about it later and decided probably not.  For one thing, it would require two things we currently do not possess-a car and fluency in French!!!!  Of course, both of those could be acquired,  but a move like this would require something even more important...a desire and choice to stay in France....perhaps permanently.  Neither of us is ready at this moment to make that kind of step.

I told David this morning I still (after 3 1/2 months) have moments of feeling as though I'm ready to go back to the US now...not because I'm feeling depressed or sad, but just because it sometimes becomes tiring hearing a language you're not familiar with around you all the time, because it sometimes is exhausting and frustrating not to find a product or item you're needing and because it seems like so much effort to walk everywhere (even though it is good exercise!!!).  HOWEVER, I also have moments of feeling as though I could live here forever (is that bipolar????!!!).  On a clear night when we're walking home from church and I look around at the beautiful buildings, when we've been out shopping and decide to stop at a little cafe and have a treat (or coffee!!!), when we walk to the market (see what I mean about the walking???!!!) and pass old historical monuments and cross over the Seine and see the Eiffel Tower I think this is the only place I want to be right now.

And maybe that's the answer....right now.  I don't know about tomorrow, but right now, this isn't bad and it's getting better.  And that's enough for me.....

A MONASTIC RETREAT - THE ABBAYE DE FLEURY - Part 1

As we began our Paris adventure,  we knew we wanted this time to be one of new experiences, new places and new friends.  While each day doesn't always present something new, we are always open and excited when we are introduced to a new opportunity.

Several months ago, shortly after arriving in Paris, our church shared information about a weekend retreat being held in June in the Loire Valley at an abbey run by Benedictine monks.  We would have group time together lead by our visiting pastor and her husband, eat meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) prepared at the Abbey, and join in the "Offices" of the monks-prayer times, mass, an readings that happened six times each day.

We signed up.  Oh, yes, and there would be periods of silence and reflection!!!!!  Now...those of you who know us well know silence isn't how either of us operates......especially moi!!!!!  But this would be good for us....a new experience and we might make some new friends.  That, perhaps, was the biggest motivator for both of us!

There were several people signed up to drive and we were connected to a young woman, Alina, who graciously agreed to take us with her.  We took the train outside the city near where Disneyland is and she picked us up at the train station.  It took us about 2.5 hours to get to Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire (the city town) and it was the nicest drive.  Alina's husband suggested she take the longer route which would take us through many small towns/villages and countryside.  Simply lovely!!!!  She was a lovely young woman and will be helping us with the Bloom event held in October that David and I have agreed to lead.

We were told our accommodations would be sparse and simple and we were to bring our sheets, towels and soap.  Done!  There were couples as well as singles attending and, because we were among the first to arrive, we got first choice of a room.  We chose a little corner room kind of off by itself that had a toilette and shower right outside our door (good for getting up in the night!!!!).

Simple but adequate-I should have brought my own pillow!!!

Sink was to the right with a mirror

There was a small closet and a sink with mirror in our room.  That window opened (which was great at night) and also had a dark, pull-down shade for sleeping (which was also great).  The view outside the window was so quaint.

The view from the window in our room

The Abbey was founded around 630 by monks arriving in Orleans after fleeing Italy.  The construction of the Porch Tower began in 1020 and the facility completed around 1180.  But it's France and in 1790 the French Revolution caused the dispersal of the monastic community and the destruction of its buildings.  However, the abbey church was saved by becoming the local parish church.  It is still open to the city's people who you see attending various of the many daily services.  In 1944 full monastic life was restored at Abbey Fleury.

Abbey Fleury - Saint-Benoit-Sur-Loir

From the choir loft looking out to the congregation.  We sat here each "service" while the monks did their readings and chants from the choir loft, pictured below.

David and I attended all but a few of the "Offices" or prayer times during the time we were there.  Of course, everything was in French,  and we were among the few participants who did not speak French.  Most of our group did which made it so much easier for them.  We could pick up booklets for the hymns and psalms and that helped us a little as we can read French better than we can hear it.  But it was still very difficult and, for me, took away some of the richness I feel I could have had if I had completely understood their readings.

I did, however, love the reverence and quiet of the setting.

Simple meals wasn't a problem to us...however, breakfast was baguette, jam and beverage.  That doesn't do it for me...I knew I'd start fading fast so we picked up some fruit at a little market.  A good banana helps a lot!!!!  Sunday morning we walked to a little restaurant in the town and had breakfast..yogurt, croissant, fruit and hot chocolate.  Better!  One lunchtime we had what I thought was chicken (but an attached leg and thigh and I'm a boneless breast girl!) and the lady next to me (one of our group I'd gotten to know) asked if I knew what it was.  I said "chicken???". When she said no, I said "don't tell me till I've eaten it!".  It was rabbit!!!!!!  Well, okay then!!!!!  Not bad, but she said it would have been better with a mustard sauce.  Another lunch (or maybe dinner) we had what looked like beef in a sauce to me.  The young man serving me (again a part of our group I'd met) asked if I wanted some and then said "it's tongue."  Not wanting to be disagreeable, I said "why not?" then told him he should have waited to tell me what it was until I'd eaten it like the woman had done earlier with the rabbit!!!!  He is French but he didn't even eat the tongue!!!!!!!!  Actually, it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't order either if I were dining out!!!!!  New experiences!!!!!  Dessert, per French habit, was cheese and fruit.  David and I picked up a brownie for sharing in our room the second night!!!!!!!!!😁

Was the weekend what we expected?  In a way, I suppose.  We did meet and visit with new people, some of whom may become friends in our new home and some of whom we may find ourselves serving with at church.  Was it the spiritual awakening it might have been for others...I don't think so. It did cause David and I to share new thoughts with each other and caused me to think about my own spiritual roots and the wonderful Christian foundation that has blessed my life.  And maybe that's enough.......

Tomorrow the city of Saint-Benoit Sur-Loire!

FIRSTS AND FAVORITES

David and I love movies...old movies, new movies, rom coms, musicals, some action/thrillers.  Before leaving the U.S., we were sitting through the previews of a particular movie and saw several new movies that were coming out this summer...movies I knew I would see if I were there.

One of those, The Book Club, premiered last week (I think) in the states and opened here Thursday.  David found a theater that shows American films in English (with French subtitles) so Thursday afternoon we hopped a bus (or tried to but it didn't come and didn't come and we just grabbed a taxi😖) and headed for the movies!!!  I had missed going to the movies so was really looking forward to this "first" in Paris...going to the movies!!!

The theater was located in a neighborhood outside the city limits of Paris so took a little time to get there but not bad.  This particular area was very nice,  and we remembered seeing a nice apartment there for lease when we were looking...but we just didn't want to live outside Paris.   We didn't really know what to expect from the theater and were pleasantly surprised to find it a relatively new facility with very nice seating.   And popcorn!!!  That's another story!!  The concession was small but, to my delight, they did offer popcorn, salty or sugary?????, and candy and drinks.  Sugary must be like kettle corn..I don't know because I went for salty.  It was okay, but no butter (what????no butter in France????!!!!) so a little dry.  But I was at the movies watching a fun film...it was good!!

Movies Paris-style!

This looks like a theater I used to go to when I was a teenager going to see the Beach Movies or Elvis with my best friend!!!  And I enjoyed it just as much now as I did then!!!

  

 

As you can see, it was almost a private showing!!!  We weren't surprised by that since it was late afternoon (our preference this time) and it was a chick-flick!  These movies don't always have great showings in the states ....but we enjoyed it (yes, even David, probably because it had a strong male cast  as well as the dynamic women).

Earlier that day following my chiropractor's appointment, we decided to do one of our favorite things and visit a new church.   On numerous bus rides we had passed this church and wanted to see the inside.  The name of the church is Saint Germain l'Auxerrois and it's considered one of the most ancient parishes on the right bank of the river Seine.  The first church was destroyed during the siege of Paris in 885-886 and then rebuilt during the 11th century.  That reconstruction was finished around 1580.  I'm always amazed at the quiet and solemnity in these places of worship and the magnificence of the centuries-old paintings.

I keep wondering if any of these churches have special services/concerts during Christmas that we might attend....even in a language we only barely understand, the atmosphere, the candles, the music would speak Christmas to our hearts.  We'll see......

THIS AND THAT...

And so life goes on....it seems no matter where you live you eventually find yourself in a routine, a pattern if you will, of living.  After three months in Paris, we, I think, are in our routine.  And to the surprise (perhaps disappointment) of some, it's not so different from our routine in Plano.  Now, the environment of our routine is much more beautiful (we think) and there are, of course, differences in the routine but it is, still, a routine.

I needed to go back to the hair salon for a touch-up and cut (I hadn't had a haircut since we left Plano).  I went in prepared with a picture from Pinterest and what I wanted to say written out in French so I could remember!  I THOUGHT I was prepared!!!!

That's me on the right-haircolor looks similar to  below!

I showed the picture, I spoke the sentences in French (I even showed her the written words!) and we were off.....I thought.  When she took the towel off my hair, I think I literally gasped.  My hair looked really dark!!!!😟. But I know from experience wet hair is darker than dry hair so I went with it.  As she began to blow-dry it, I knew I was in trouble.  Let's just say it never got much lighter!  We talked about it (well, we TRIED to talk about between her broken English and my stumbling French!) and decided to leave it and if I didn't like it better in a few days, I could come back for a redo.    Well, it's not any lighter, I'm not sure I like it any better but, for now, I may just leave it and see if it grows on me.  I THINK this is more my natural color.....I don't really remember!!!!!!!!😂

Here's the new (or old!!!) me!!!!

So yesterday some friends called and asked if we wanted to go with them to visit a park nearby, Park Bagatelle,  that has a beautiful rose/flower garden and peacocks.  Why not????  It was a little cloudy so with umbrella in hand (or actually in purse!!!), we headed off (they picked us up in their car----oh, a car......I do miss my car!!!!!!!).

The park was quite a ways out,  but we enjoyed visiting with our friends on the drive.  He's from Paris and really knows French history so we heard lots of wonderful stories.  Once at the park, we walked first to a home that had been built for Marie Antoinette.  It's closed now (I think for renovations) so you can just view the entrance and the outside. I'm a little intrigued by her so seeing this house was an unexpected treat for me.  And, I learned more about her from our friend!!!  Win, win!!!!

Imagine living here!!

We continued walking until we came upon this fellow and some of his friends.  They let us get pretty close-what magnificent color they had!  He just pranced regally around!!!

The rose garden was very pretty but many of the bushes were fairly spent from an earlier rain.  I can only imagine how beautiful they all were a few weeks ago.  But it was still a serene place to have a sit and take in the all the colors and types of petals.

This is a just a small corner of the garden

The park closes at 6:00,  and we left a little before that.  The sky had gotten darker,  and it began raining as we were on the drive home.  Perfect timing for a nice little afternoon outing and a little history and nature!!!