May 13, 2010

a bientot Paris

Monet
 

It’s 5 am here in L.A., {experiencing one, or is it the only perk of jet-lag?} The ability to wake up early with the joy and exuberance of a morning person, which normally I am not ~ a morning person that is ~ joy and exuberant I like to think I express those qualities from time to time.

I had hoped to write this post from Paris before I left, but I was too busy moping and whining about having to leave Europe. 

Happy to report that the sadness has officially lifted, and now I’m just excited to be back. I can’t wait to implement all the ideas and inspiration from this experience. This was an amazing trip for us.

So I won’t say goodbye to Paris. I’ll just say "see you later" "a bientot" Paris because part of the excitement that is spilling over, is thinking about all of the ways we plan to return...

For you for now, a final grouping of favorite photos from Paris along with a completely random list of what I will call Paris "findings"

Sean metro 

Yellow pants 


 Yellow metro
 

Tulips 

L'ecole militaire 

Door 

Letterpress 

Madeline 

Musee d'orsay 

Laduree
 
 
The "while you wait" seats at a Metro station are not made for lovers, or friends for that matter. They are spaced super far apart. {This may be one place you won’t feel crowded in the city}

Paris however, is made for lovers. It is a city in full support of public displays of affection

And, those same brightly colored seats at each Metro station are super cool

Oh, but don’t be lovers holding hands while walking on the street. People have no issue with walking right through your hand holding to get to where they need to go in a super big rush

It is not cool to look too overjoyed in Paris, especially when riding the Metro

Paris, or Europe, or economy airplane seats for that matter were not built for a man who is 6’5"

You do not want to walk too slow on the streets of downtown Paris, just sayin'

The reason Parisians can eat so much cheese and wonderful, rich food is because they walk A LOT and FAST

Metro tickets can be demagnetized when in too close proximity to your cell phone

The beauty and attention to detail that exists in this city will blow your mind ~ which has never been more evident than upon our return to what seems like a now very unattractive city called Los Angeles. Minus the weather, the palm trees, the ocean and some amazing homes, the strip malls plastered with neon signs have got to go.

I like the smell of perfume and cologne that Parisians tend to wear

I will miss the combination of cologne and smoke when I go to a restaurant, and I am not being sarcastic

Smoking in France, in comparison to California, where you can no longer even smoke outside, still feels very much in vogue

Toilet paper and kleenex is much, much softer in the United States

Flea markets in Paris inspire creativity and next time~ I am SO buying my favorite vintage leather chair

One should floss everyday, but especially if you eat saucisson

A jar of Barilla pesto sauce can work wonders if you are in a pinch for a quick and delicious meal

Only Parisian men can pull off bright yellow pants. {By the way the new Ralph Lauren store in St. Germain de Pres is 4 floors of impressive and beautiful}

Paris skies are also beautiful

And the gardens, don’t get me started on the gardens in the spring

I really like wearing scarves. I have one on right now

Postcard bags make good impromptu notepaper for making lists to post on your blog

I think the art in the Musee D’Orsay was my favorite collection

But a visit to the L’Orangerie to see Monet’s large Waterlilies = incredible

French stores and museums don’t make their {very odd} store hours very easy to find online

Laduree has the best cafe creme, not to mention their croissants and pain du chocolat ~ also delicious. And the macaroons ~ Laduree is famous for its macaroons. Too busy eating the croissants, I didn’t get to try one. This alone is a reason I need to return.

People are ageless when they have style and a zest for life

I love this city more than I thought could

Comments (25)

The D'Orsay is my favorite museum anywhere (yet). One of my random observations about Paris (and Europe in general) is that everyone has cool eye wear - no boring plain glasses in sight (pun intended :-))
PS ~ I really loved all the shots.
Thanks BJ & I totally agree with you about the glasses. I was just noticing that this week ~ and you also reminded of a few other things I noted that I forgot to add to the post. This post might grow larger throughout the day.
Oh what a colorful picture you paint of Paris. I so want to go there someday!
Your posts are really adding to my already sparked desire to visit Paris, TFS & welcome back!
Me too on the D'Orsay being my favorite in Paris. did you find the room of beauty? with all the paintings and sculptures of women?
i fall in love with Paris again and again (even through your words and pictures)...
I have really enjoyed reading your posts about Paris, just makes me want to go back more and more. I still have business with Paris, I need to have a picnic on the grass Eifel Tower, Go up the Sacre Coure at night, go to a show at the Moulin Rouge and just sit a a cafe and watch the people walk by sigh
Thanks for Sharing your time in Paris
Cheers
Mary
Marisa: the jet lag thing has affected me for a week since returning from Australia. Also, when I went I found myself waking up at 3 am everyday wide awake and ready to go....welcome back...you'll find the beauty again in LA, look beyond the strip malls and the neon signs....go to the getty and look out over the city to the ocean, to the mountains (if you can see them) and to the city....one of my favorite views in LA....welcome home
Ooh, one more thing. I had a friend in Chicago that was an architect that helped design and place all the waterlily pieces for an exhibit years ago at the Art Institute, he said it was the most amazing thing to be able to touch the Monet pieces....your photos really capture the size of them....
I can't believe you're back already! That seems to have gone so quickly. Thanks for sharing all your fantastic photos and experiences with us.

Em x
ah, yes! the Getty. I plan to go for a visit soon
As to your last sentence, me and you both sister... I found myself missing paris even more when I read your posts, and watched your videos... I keep telling Rob, he has to experience playing music on a street corner or in the Metro, and until then he just hasn't stretched himself to the full degree that a musician really should... welcome home lady, and until your next trip... à bientôt Paris... xo
I love all your photos and your list. Lovely to hear about your favorites. The D'Orsay is one of my favorite places on the planet. It feels so calm and energizing at the same time.

Has it been strange to hear so much english being spoken? The longest I ever stayed in France (other than as an infant) was two weeks and I remember feeling so out of place when I got back to California. But it was a fun out of it feeling that only lasted the day. Welcome home to you and Sean. I look forward to hearing more.
Welcome home Marisa! The flossing tip is great, made me laugh.
Wow, welcome back, so great to see these beautiful final shots and I love all the little details of your list! Can't wait to hear more in class!
xoFaith
I loved the Musee d'Orsay collection as well. Paris is one of my favourite cities, and I can't wait to go back sometime. I've loved reading your blog as you've been there!
You tell Rob. I say its a must too. I have another video for you that you might enjoy...We want to come to San Francisco now because Los Angeles just is not feeling European enough
I did not find the room of beauty. Another reason to return!
Yes Estelle! Totally feel this. I keep waiting for someone to speak French to me
There's never enough to say about Paris - enjoyed your posts (I just returned from a lovely week there). If you want a good Paris laugh, check out my facebook page - my daughter shot a video guys dressed like Smurfs in the metro. You'll be right back in that wonderful city.
i understand.... totally... we've been told by plenty that our house feels likes it's in Europe, even tho there's a basketball hoop on the front sidewalk, so sometimes I pretend I'm back in Europe when I come thru the gate... when are you coming!?!
Oh you did come back!!! Welcome back I so enjoyed all the pictures you shared with us!!
Lotsa French synchronciities for me lately, so no surprise I saw your post on FB and took a look at your blog today. Welcome back to the US of A. It took me awhile to get used to being back here after a semester in London. I found Americans so...American!
Welcome home my friend. xoxo
Ah beautiful photos!!!

:) Maybe it's because I have always lived in Europe and grew up in a very historic country, but Paris' charm was not very strong on me after I lived there. It's beautiful of course and a lovely romantic destination for a holidaymaker.. but after living there, you know, the fact that it is so unsafe and the streets are dirty and the metro tickets demagnitise and trains and metro strike at the drop of a hat.. these things get to you!

So looking at photos of Paris is always bittersweet for me.. because I love it, but I hated living there.