A small, iconic, famous bookstore in Paris, was closed today. George Whitman, owner of Shakespeare and Company, passed away yesterday, only two days after his 98th birthday, in the apartment above his bookstore. I sat on a bench in front of the bookstore and witnessed people writing tributes, placing flowers, leaving books. Some confused …
Fortunately, a couple of days ago, I had sense enough to start packing up things I wasn’t going to need. Which was most of the clothes I brought with me but didn’t receive until two weeks after arriving, thanks to British Airways. Two weeks without, you learn not to miss things. In an effort to …
A big knotted ball has developed in my stomach. I know, this is a signal, I don’t want to leave Paris and this is my last full day here. What is it about this beautiful city of Paris that steals people’s hearts. Is it the beautiful design of the city, the architecture, the ancient café’s …
My good friend, Peter, flew up from Nice especially to visit me in Paris. He arrived unwell, with a bad cold but still managed to meet me for dinner. I had been dying to go to Au Pied de Cochon (at the foot of pig) and finally my time had arrived. Au Pied de Cochon is a …
My good friend Peter and I had a nice lunch with a lovely French friend of his, who he tutored English many moons ago, when we were all young and free, in the 80’s. Afterwards, he had a business meeting and I decided, I might try to find some great over the knee boots, I …
Late nights in Paris are fun and since meeting people, especially Georgie, the way I do things and the things I do, have changed, since I first arrived in Paris. However, I do get pangs of guilt for not being out and about, taking photos and seeing museums. Today I decided …
Georgie and I had a lunch date today, of all places at the Gare de Lyon train station, Paris. Big international train stations can be exciting, hectic and sometimes dodgy places. People are rushing to catch their train, travellers with backpacks or suitcases, businessmen on mobile phones, checking their watches. They can also attract, the homeless, …
New Years Eve in Paris is a big occasion. A lot of Parisians spend it at home with a big feast, some gather in front of the Notre Dame, some pack the Champs-Élysées, others, take a bottle of champagne and stand on one of the many bridges. The shops close early and most are closed New Years …
Having no luggage, feels like no ‘baggage’. I remember only too well, traveling around in my 20’s with just one bag and it is liberating. I have a secret wish that they don’t find the suitcase, even although there are things in there I don’t want to lose. What it did mean though, was no …