Bonjour, another blue sky day in this beautiful city, Paris. Friday in Paris, a relaxed day. Slow start, looking out the window to the courtyard. Greenery mixed with the aging stone and brick. Grateful for the time to read books, do some writing. For exploration of this beautiful place. For having a place (home base) to hang out here, right in the city. 

To have access to walking and Metro, small boutique shops, large Galleries Lafayette and quiet simple parks, artist lofts and fragrant tasty produce, wifi and Google maps, everything and nothing, all at my fingertips. The taste and scent of juicy red strawberries and tiny grape tomatoes.  The subtle cooing sound of pigeons pecking between stones in the street. 

I am seeing a lot of the culture and sights of Paris on this trip. Not necessarily only tourist places, but the residential and daily business areas also – the streets and sidewalks, storefronts and cafes, construction in the streets, the people eating and drinking in doorways or at small tables in the gathering areas. Shops selling fresh produce, ceramic and painting art, vintage and designer clothing, all varieties of spirits, tobacco and wine, exotic eye glass frames, hundreds of varieties of cheese in fromageries, breads and sweets in patisseries and Boulangeries, designer running and upscale dress shoes, hair and nail salons, fleuristes selling cut flower bouquets and large growing plants, ice cream and gelato offerings, boutique chocolate and macarons, woolen and linen hats and silk scarves, touristy stuff like postcards, linen towels, Tshirts, nick nacks overflowing into the street. 

I like the feeling of the culture and the experience of being present to the ordinary in this extraordinary place. Hills, stairs and flat along the river and canal. Weather mostly sunny, one small few hours of drizzle – enough to see the variety of umbrellas protecting people as they traverse about the cobblestone streets. Red flower boxes hanging on small French balconies on iconic architecture. It’s an iconic and beautiful site, Paris in the drizzle. 

And when the sun shines and sets, it is beautiful with all the bursting colours and joyful faces of children laughing and playing, people seated outside of cafes or along waterways lined up as if watching a movie in a theatre. Many in deep conversation or engaged with their phones and devices. Drinking cafe, red wine, golden beer in large draft glass or from a can. Flowers in front of shops exploding in deep reds, spring greens, royal purples, yellowy golds, soft pinks, vibrant oranges and pure white. The sky a solid baby blue with intermittent white silvery fluffy clouds moving through. 

All the senses alive and peaked. Hear the many accents being spoken on the street, French accent speaking English and other accents trying to be understood. Passion and connection everywhere I look. 

Today I took the metro to the river. Purchased some veggies, cheese, wine and enjoyed an outdoor picnic by the water. Bustling with activity the area is alive with music and sounds, colourful sights, artists displaying their wares out of the green boxes and pigeons searching and cooing. The sight of Notre Dame cathedral in the backdrop. Photos being taken. 

After the snack took metro to the University of Paris area where students reside in “houses” of many different nationalities such as Sweden, Greece etc.  A celebration happening with drinking, music and cultural exchange from each house. It’s a huge area, beautiful homes and lots of green space. What must it be like to attend University here?  Such a mixture of culture all in connection and relationship to each other and the homeland of Paris France. Soccer, basketball and other sports being played in fields. 

Riding the metro home, it’s almost dark and the sky is a mix of colour and dark.  Ahhhhhh, Paris. 

Tomorrow, Saturday, an easy day planned. Catch up with blog, head to the outdoor produce market, maybe go to IKEA and visit the Eiffel Tower for some up close pictures. 

Sunday to Disneyland Paris!  Monday I fly home. 

Goodnight and Bonsoir!  A demain.