Posts from the ‘best time of my life’ Category
May 5
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DAY 2 – The Historic Centre of France
This is Day 2 of the Original “A Vacance of Knitting, Writing, Driving through Fields of Gold………..”
It is the Historic Centre of France and it is most lovely. Much of French life and its history are combined in this car tour of ours – branching out from the Cathedral City of Chartres. The Palace of Fontainebleau and the Castle at Rambouillet conjure images of the once sumptuous ease of the Aristocracy of years gone by. The Parks, woodlands, forests which circles Fontainebleau are beautiful to stroll. So, if you have the opportunity, take that stroll in an afternoon.
First was Milly-la-Foret, a 15th-Century attractive, peaceful village of timeless appearance. The artist, dramatist and poet, Jean Cocteau – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Cocteau – lived here and you can see his house that had invited guests such as Erik Satie, Pablo Picasso, Jean Hugo, Jean Marais, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, Edith Piaf. To refresh your memory, Cocteau wrote the original Beauty and the Beast – and a lot of other stuff – plus he was an artist in many aspects – not just writing, poetry.
Alas, I had photos of Jean Cocteau’s home, the plaque and all its interesting trivia, but the photos didn’t register on my iPhone – probably because it had an extremely low battery . Errrrggggggg!!! (Make sure you take you car charger when renting a car and using your camera/phone all day!!)
Update update!! – Photos found – Taken on David’s iPod!!! Hooray ! _ Here they are:
May 2
Chartres – The Prayer Circle
One of the most impressive things to me in the Cathedral at Chartres, is not so much the bell towers reaching up to the heavens above the expanse of the Beauce plain or the three main doors, or the carvings, or the stained glass though all those things are not to be missed…..
But the PRAYER CIRCLE within – was very moving and I could join those in their stocking feet, or I could just sit on the side and just watch and do my own praying from that distance. 
A very good friend’s daughter had just died that morning not far from Saint Louis,
and I sat and thank God that she was out of pain and prayed hard for the family…………..
May 2
A Vacance of Knitting, Writing, Driving through Fields of Golds………
I should emphasize the DRIVING part because that is what was a huge huge deal to me. So, after 7 months of no driving because we live in France and we take public transportation EVERYWHERE 
and everywhere we don’t take it, we use our 2 legs to the very max, it goes without saying that missing driving can occur. Driving to me is a necessity back in Saint Louis, because I ‘m too suburban. Therefore, my driving is done with a fair amount of boredom. But here – everywhere you look – when you drive – it’s pretty outstanding.
If you happen to drive in the city, it’s outstanding because you are ever vigilant not to get side-swiped, or crashed into because it’s a nutplace out there!!! 
I’ve watched from a pedestrian point of view and am totally amazed that no one bumps, runs into, crashes into, runs over a cyclist because of the fast way they drive in the city and the closeness to the next vehicle they constantly remain.
Thus, we took to the FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE and did not look back (for about 2 days!) 
It was rather glorious train 
trip to Chartres and then renting our CAR – and driving only B roads and going through small villages, of which Rambouillet was one of my favorites, from Chartres and on the way to Fontainebleau……………
May 1
The Learning Curve in France is very high – – Time for a VACANCE!!!
Coming soon is a Vacance somewhere in the country of France – to get away from the city.
A much-needed holiday due in part
because we LIVE here. The learning curve in France is high – & everyday there are new and complex challenges, that keeps our heads spinning constantly. We’ve learned to be very humble and to take on a new innocence – our logic is DEFINITELY not THEIR logic!!!
That being said, stayed tuned for upcoming displays of a “French Holiday in the Country”!!!
Apr 23
PEANUT BUTTER
Just wanna say ONE thing! (TWO things) PEANUT BUTTER !!!!
Yes. My husband came back to me as much as he missed his old life in the United States. ??
And yes, he brought me PEANUT BUTTER – the CRUNCHY kind. And I have to say – I’ve eaten
about 1/4 of it. I feel a little sick.
But ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh – it was sooooooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peanut Butter CAN be obtained in Paris, but it’s like 10.00 USD! Ridiculous!!!
That’s my story –
and I’m stickin’ to it!!!!
Apr 14
GRANDS VISIT PARIS – DAY SIX !!!
FRIDAY PLAN
Sacre Coeur (9:00 – 6:00) – BUS or M to Abbesses – and then walk
Espace Dali (adults 10 euros, kids 6 euros) 10:00 – 6:00 EARLY AFTERNOON = Cafe across from VanGogh’s house in Montmartre
or Sandwiches — Amelie’s Cafe on Rue Lepic (Cafe des 2 Moulins) – very 50’s inside –
Happy hour is 3.50 euros starting at 7p – Plats – tres cher
Montmartre SUNSET – maybe?
CRUISE ON SEINE – LAST NIGHT!!!
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DID:
The Famous Rex Theatre was our first stop for the “Rex Club” where the kids got to visit this famous Theater and how movies have been made over the years. Very fun and interactive and they got to watch KING KONG trying to climb the tower – we saw how famous actors had come to this theatre for the last 70+ years, interacted with a movie doing sound effects, very fun. The last famous person to come to THE REX, Red Carpet and all – and to show his movie there was Stephen Spielberg this last October (2011) – for Tin Tin. 
D & I missed him by 10 minutes last Fall!! – Boooo! G & O are little movie makers of their own – and thought this would be interesting to them.
Walked out & saw everyone (Parisian of course) eating their huge meal of the day in the middle of the day at all these cafes – – what me and D, who have been here over 7 months, STILL can’t get used to – but is the way we really need to eat now that we live here. Walked to the luggage store -Got the cool bag of “little cartoon graphics to match their other bag at a shop next door. Yeah!
From there the metro to Anvers to Sacre Coeur & MONTMARTRE. Took the funicular up which Navigos were good for – and then had a picnic on the steps of Sacre Coeur overlooking the city! Lovely day, really warm, and think we got a bit of a suntan on top of the city. Highest point in Paris, actually. The view overlooking Paris from Sacre Coeur was really lovely.
Saw inside Sacre Coeur, They were having a mass, then to Place de Tetre where all the artists hang out – walked around to admire all the art – and kids had drawings done!!! Dali Musee was around the corner. J had his cartoon/caricature done and the girls together!! What a great job this artist did. C’est bon!!!
Saw a little of the old streets up on Montmartre, but not much of the non-touristy areas. Way too much walking down and around – 😦
Went back to Pont Alma for : ALERT ALERT – MORE PICS TO COME- THIS BLOG IS TAKING TOO LONG TO DOWNLOAD PHOTOS
MIGHT HAVE A TECH PROBLEM< WHERE ARE MY TECH GUYS WHEN I NEED YOU!!!! SO I’LL CHG THIS AGAIN
TOMORROW – BEST PHOTOS ARE YET TO COME!!!!!!!!!
Cruise on the Seine that night – on the Bateau Mouche to end a very fine visit with my lovely family from Saint Louis. (TOO SHORT!!) The Eiffel Tower sparkled as we came back to Pont Alma – so beautiful! We walked along Pont Alexandre – one of THE most beautiful bridges in the world – the golden statues on the Pont – given to Paris – after (Franco-Prussian war). SO LOVELY!! Took the metro – RER – back to Gare du Nord & back to Apartment.
Crashed – to wake early for catacombs? Not. But just as well.
SATURDAY –
Enghien-les-bains in A.M. – shops….Pharmancy…The Lake around the Casino-Then more final packing Then to CDG via PINK TRAIN and the RER – to UA at CDG & plane ride home back to St Louis in afternoon – 😦
Grands visit Paris – Day Six!!
FRIDAY PLAN
Sacre Coeur (9:00 – 6:00) – BUS or M to Abbesses – and then walk
Espace Dali (adults 10 euros, kids 6 euros) 10:00 – 6:00 EARLY AFTERNOON = Cafe across from VanGogh’s house in Montmartre
or Sandwiches — Amelie’s Cafe on Rue Lepic (Cafe des 2 Moulins) – very 50’s inside –
Happy hour is 3.50 euros starting at 7p – Plats – tres cher
Montmartre SUNSET – maybe?
CRUISE ON SEINE – LAST NIGHT!!!
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DID:
The Famous Rex Theatre was our first stop for the “Rex Club” where the kids got to visit this famous Theater and how movies have been made over the years. Very fun and interactive and they got to watch KING KONG trying to climb the tower – we saw how famous actors had come to this theatre for the last 70+ years, interacted with a movie doing sound effects, very fun. The last famous person to come to THE REX, Red Carpet and all – and to show his movie there was Stephen Spielberg this last October (2011) – for Tin Tin. D & I missed him by 10 minutes last Fall!! – Boooo! G & O are little movie makers of their own – and thought this would be interesting to them.
Walked out & saw everyone (Parisian of course) eating their huge meal of the day in the middle of the day at all these cafes – – what me and D, who have been here over 7 months, STILL can’t get used to – but is the way we really need to eat now that we live here. Walked to the luggage store -Got the cool bag of “little cartoon graphics to match their other bag at a shop next door. Yeah!
From there the metro to Anvers to Sacre Coeur & MONTMARTRE. Took the funicular up which Navigos were good for – and then had a picnic on the steps of Sacre Coeur overlooking the city! Lovely day, really warm, and think we got a bit of a suntan on top of the city. Highest point in Paris, actually. The view overlooking Paris from Sacre Coeur was really lovely.
Saw inside Sacre Coeur, They were having a mass, then to Place de Tetre where all the artists hang out – walked around to admire all the art – and kids had drawings done!!! Dali Musee was around the corner. J had his cartoon/caricature done and the girls together!! What a great job this artist did. C’est bon!!!
Saw a little of the old streets up on Montmartre, but not much of the non-touristy areas. Way too much walking down and around – 😦
Went back to Pont Alma for :
Cruise on the Seine that night – on the Bateau Mouche to end a very fine visit with my lovely family from Saint Louis. (TOO SHORT!!) The Eiffel Tower sparkled as we came back to Pont Alma – so beautiful! We walked along Pont Alexandre – one of THE most beautiful bridges in the world – the golden statues on the Pont – given to Paris – after (Franco-Prussian war). SO LOVELY!! Took the metro – RER – back to Gare du Nord & back to Apartment.
Crashed – to wake early for catacombs? Not. But just as well.
SATURDAY –
Enghien-les-bains in A.M. – shops….Pharmancy…The Lake around the Casino-Then more final packing Then to CDG via PINK TRAIN and the RER – to UA at CDG & plane ride home back to St Louis in afternoon – 😦
Apr 11
Grands Visit Paris – Day FIVE!!
THURSDAY PLAN
(If it’s Thursday in the 19th arrondissement; it must be Christmas!!!!)
Notre Dame (English Tour Thurs 2pm) Towers 10am – 5:30 (last access 4:45) (Paris Pass) –
Do the Ile de France – walk to Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou (Closed Tuesday 13 euros, kids free) 11:00 – 9:00pm (Paris Pass)
BUTTES CHAMONT PARK – around 4:30 – to meet a French/American couple, see their lovely apartment, cuddle a cute baby and have real BRITTANY CREPES !!!
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DID:
Notre Dame in the a.m. -went all through the cathedral, but were advised that the steps up to the top were “closed today”. Ah well, another strike. Wasn’t too crowed at all! Yeah! 
Walked out and past the famous “green booksellers” on the Seine, towards
La Sainte-Chappelle, the famous stained glass Cathedral of Saint Louis IX, the only King who was canonized and who Saint Louis (MO) is named for. Musee Pass also good for this! SO BEAUTIFUL-especially on a sunny day (was) because the entire top floor is magnificent stained glass. Our Saint Louis King did it right! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle
A quick-lunch at Kentucky Fried (shhhhh!!)
To POMPIDOU CENTER to see the Modern Art – incredible which also had a MATISSE Exhibition going on! Outside we found the Igor Stravinsky Plaza to see the famous water art, the LIPS, etc. Great place for photos!
Marais, next stop – past a “poupee shop” – and a place for beverage (Cassis drinks), to see the cute streets and special shops in the Marais.
Headed past Hotel d’Ville (where the ice skating is during winter) and then
past lovely perfume shops, clothing boutiques and of course on ROSIERS the famous L’as du falafel
my favorite place for an inexpensive all vegetarian pita sandwich. No time today – had to get to the 19th! So, to ST PAUL Metro stop where we headed to Bastille (did see the TOP of that column) which is where the famous Bastille Prison was – Fr. Revolution –
Got off at Jaures – walked to BUTTES CHAMONT PARK images near my friend’s beautiful apartment. This lovely park was created by Napoleon III in 1800’s.
http://goparis.about.com/od/sightsattractions/ss/parks_gallery_3.htm
From there – we could relax at our friends luxury apartment where we imbibed in a FEAST of crepes and all sorts of beautiful fruits, veggies, cheeses, wines, ciders, champagnes, & lovely desserts (along with sweet crêpe desserts!) WOW! (And she said this was going to be “simple”!!!) 🙂 Then we played a really fun game-quiz on Paris where my friends made special cards with all-encompassing French, France, Paris questions – some of which I had no idea the answer!!! SO! we all learned a LOT and 9-year-old J was the “life of the party” with all his “ I know, I know “ enthusiasm!! We surprised them with questions on Saint Louis and on Boston which really was fun too as they weren’t expecting this. And some of the questions were so weird/funny – on Missouri – Thanks to G & O for finding out those the night before.
The winners of the quiz (my family) received 3 big packages that were another incredible surprise!! Tour de France shirts/caps, gorgeous scarves, t-shirts,sticker art books, museum books, key chains, lotions and potions from France’s finest cosmetics and an INCREDIBLE bottle of CHAMPAGNE from our host! They were spoiled rotten It was so much fun!!!! 
We left to go back to Apt – but B and I took metro to Trocadero to pick up their suitcases while my husband and my son went back to Apartment with kids. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parsp-renaissance-paris-le-parc-trocadero-hotel/
What a night!! Took a Taxi to Gare du Nord from the Hotel and made it with only 2 minutes to spare. Last train!!! Whew!
FRIDAY PLAN
Sacre Coeur (9:00 – 6:00) – BUS or M to Abbesses – and then walk
Espace Dali (adults 10 euros, kids 6 euros) 10:00 – 6:00 EARLY AFTERNOON = Cafe across from VanGogh’s house in Montmartre
or Sandwiches
Amelie’s Cafe on Rue Lepic (Cafe des 2 Moulins) – very 50’s inside –
Happy hour is 3.50 euros starting at 7p – Plats – tres cher
Montmartre SUNSET – maybe?
CRUISE ON SEINE – LAST NIGHT!!!
