Anyone who has been to Paris, normally ends up having a favourite bar, mine is Petit fer a Cheval. Discovering the historic cafe about 10 years ago, it quickly became my favourite and has remained so. Cafe Panis, overlooking the Notre Dame on the left bank, is my friend ‘The New Yorker’s’ favourite bar.
We had a rendez-vous around lunch time to meet her for her first day in Paris. Watching the world go by, we sipped on wine, ordered a delicious meal until The New Yorker arrived.
Once she was settled into her apartment, we left her and headed over to the 9th arrondissement to see a one man stand up comedy show, How to Become Parisian in One Hour at the quaint Theatre des Nouveautes.
If one thing has been consistant with my visits to Paris, it would be to land great seats at every theatre I choose to go to and this night was no exception. First row, dead centre on the first balcony gave us a great view of Olivier Giraud’s show. Although his performance is in English, we quickly discovered when he asked the audience from where they hailed, people from all around the world, including strong support from the French come along to his sell out performances.
A hilarious hour that presents a mixture of social statement, a lesson for both the Parisian and the tourist, we all laughed at ourselves and the Parisian way of life.
Unsuspecting audience members were called up to the stage, to demonstrate what they had learnt from Olivier Giraud’s stand up act; to pout their lips, puff their cheeks, hand on hips and say ooh la la. One Englishman brought the house down, with his brave re-enactments.
I now regret I didn’t meet Olivier Giraud after the show but maybe when he comes to Australia, I will snap up the opportunity. I am sure, like in Paris, the Australian Francophiles will come out in droves.
The day of my friend’s departure, presented blue skies and a warm day, as if to tease her about leaving the beautiful city of Paris.
Although I still have a bad cough, the symtoms of my cold have lessened and with a beautiful bright, blue sky day, I felt a bit of a spring in my step. BHV department store is located dangerously too close to my apartment, and as I headed back from leaving my friend at Gare du Nord, the temptation was too strong. West Side Story at the lovely Chatelet Theatre was on the agenda for tonight and a new dress was in order. Unsure which was the best garment for the evening, I bought them all! A little treat that has burnt a whole in my credit card. C’est la vie!
The support of theatre in Paris, never ceases to amaze me, three curtain calls and a standing ovation, for a slightly modernised version of West Side Story, had the crowd going wild.
A few nightcaps with The New Yorker at my favourite bar had us sitting next to a lovely Danish couple, who we chatted the night away with, until the wee hours.
Walking back to my apartment, freezing in my new dress, chatting along the way with The New Yorker, after a lovely night at the Chatelet Theatre, some technical support from a friend in Australia, has the blog technicality issues lessend, photo downloading speed has improved and I have found my rhythm.
