wise words from a lovely lady

weekend discoveries

I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather this last samedi(1)  and spent my day outdoors. I started at Blvd. St. Michel and wandered my way along the the seine, across Îsle de la Cité & Îsle Saint-Louis(2) and explored the northern part of the 5ème & 6ème arrondissements. Paris was packed with tourists and locals alike savoring up le soleil(3). I found a beautiful poster for my room and a copy of Voltaire's Candide from the booksellers along the seine. I grabbed some delicious sorbet while faire du lèche-vitrines(4). Stopped to admire Notre-Dame and Hôtel de Ville for awhile and found a pop-up cultural exhibition on African diasporas and independencies. I also happened upon a weekend event called La Parisienne organized to promote women's health. So many things to see and do here!

(1) Saturday

(2) Two islands in the middle of the seine river

(3) the sun

(4) window shopping, literally "window licking"

There are so many treasures to find at the booksellers along the seine.

An impressive array of outrageous shirts I saw on Isle Saint- Louis.

The beautiful architecture of Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame.

Women partaking in aerobics under the la tour eiffel at La Parisienne. 

Hundreds of women lined up along the bridge for a marathon around Paris at La Parisienne.

African diasporas & independences exhibition in front of Hotel de Ville.

Framboises et mangue.

One of the many love locks on pont l'Archevêché.

Pont l'Archevêché and Notre-Dame.

Some beautiful dahlias from rue Clèr market.

Inspiration

Vivre.

Captured in the neighborhood

Blvd Emile Augier after the rain.

One of the many spectacular sunsets I've seen from my family's window.

My morning run.

Ma famille d'accueil

J'adore ma famille d'accueil(1) Love. They welcomed me with bright smiling faces the day I arrived, eager to help me with my two huge & heavy bright purple suitcases. The two girls Eva and Arielle were angels and immediately open to their new au pair, regardless if they didn't understand a word I said (in English or poorly pronounced French). The parents Eric and Sophie had spent time preparing my room with chic decorations, appliances, books, kitchenware and un bureau(2) that I love. That evening was a whirlwind of both relief and happiness. Relief that I so quickly felt comfortable with this family and happiness that I finally made it to the city I had so longed to live in.


(1) I love my host family
(2) a desk

Ma chambre de bonne

My apartment is not an apartment, it's a room. More specifically a "chambre de bonne", a room traditionally meant for a family's domestics located on the top floor of a home or apartment building. Although this type of room does not have the most glamourous reputation, it is parfait(1) for me. Just big enough to fit all of my things (with a little to spare), minimal kitchen facilities (yet still just enough), and most importantly a space to call my own. It does help that I can see la tour eiffel(2) from my window...

(1) perfect
(2) the correct pronunciation of the tower we all know and love