Lynn Schirmer

The plan was to wander my way to an art supply store. I need big paper, bigger than I could pack. I should have known the store would be closed on Sunday. I also needed groceries and my very helpful and kind landlord gave me good instructions on where to go in the neighborhood. I didn’t get groceries, but I had a marvelous sidewalk cafe brunch, and found all the rest of these things between the cafe and the art store…

Second morning in Paris, time to get ready...

I went to find a grocery store... found St. Paul St. Louis church 1641

St. Paul St. Louis 2

St. Paul St. Louis 3

After my brunch in the shopping district Le Marais, I decide to head to the art store, via Ile St. Louis ….

Seine on the way to Ilse St. Louis

On Ile St. Louis I indulged in the famous ice cream (tre bien!) and walked amongst well dressed French and not so well dressed tourists looking at high priced touristy boutiques.

Bridge between Ile St. Louis and Ile de la Cite, packed with tourists like me.

Shorn leafless tress on the grounds of Notre Dame make beautiful shadows

Inside, powerful heights

Imposing, Impressive

Shock and Awe

Stained shimmers

Notre Dame, stunning except for the banner stretched across the main nave.

Back of the main altar piece

Chandelier

Angel

It's crowded on Sunday

From Notre Dame I made my way into the Latin Quarter and St. Germain to find the art store. It was so crowded, and I found a great many galleries. I didn’t see any art (from outside the windows) that impressed me, it seemed like run of the mill commercial fare. After getting a wee bit turned around, I did find the store which was closed of course. By then my feet had started to give out and I needed to find a “toilet”. I nearly made the hour or so walk home, but had to stop and deal with an unfriendly waiter for relief. I couldn’t believe how crowded the walks along the Seine were, especially on the north side. Parisians of all sorts mingled with tourists on Sunday evening strolls and the traffic, it was like a weekday rush hour. I had just enough energy to buy some flowers before collapsing. Someone overnight me my comfortable boots or tennies or I will not make it. I have the Louvre tomorrow.

Just Pics

looking up through the spital staircase

The tiniest elevator I've had to squeeze into 18

Around the corner being perfected for grand opening

My Street

Down the street over the canaL Bridge into Le Marais and Bastille area Night life

I’m lying here in bed at 1am local because my clock is still on Seattle time and every now and then I hear a siren and it tells me where I am. I want to smoke very badly.

So far I’ve found French people to be attractive, warm, and friendly. I did not expect the dirt, and I forgot about differences in flora and fauna. Something French is making me sneeze, though not too badly. I saw the largest crows/ravens, and birds of prey on the way in from the airport. I don’t know what kind of bird of prey it was, but it dwarfed any bald eagle I’ve ever seen.

Litter and graffiti line the highway, bivouacs of caravans here and there piled high with garbage. Very little taggable space is left on any guard rail or sound barrier. The newer construction around the city is not the most attractive (to my eyes anyway), though it does take chances with color and whimsy you would never see in the US.

I quickly realized I had left my most comfortable shoes at home, and annoyed just about every shop clerk as my fatigue affected my already shallow French. I am a typical American tourist so far, though I have to say, no one has scarves like mine.

The apartment here is beautiful, the rest of what I’ve seen nearby too much for words at this point. Enjoy the pics.

Hallway of Paris Apartment

Living Room

View from street side terrace

View from street sode terrace other direction

Pictures and musings will be posted here if I’m not too involved in the moment to take time out to write.  I am bringing my camera, but I hope only to use it when inspiration strikes, as well as my sketchbook.  Stay tuned.  If I do manage any lurid affairs, I just might just kiss and tell.

L.