Photos and Text by: Corey Amaro
A very small figurine stands in one of the many displays in the Louvre.
It appears to be of a woman flexing her muscles, her expression joyful pride.
Most likely she was holding something above her head, as her fisted hands are a result of being broken. It is dated 400 B.C.
I was awestruck.
Laurie asked me, "…something so beautiful that you gasp and hold your breath for a moment."
Willy Ronis, a French photographer captured the scene that many of you asked me to find in Paris: "Someone carrying a baguette."
At the moment in Paris, there is an exhibition of Ronis' work.
"Why do you use your maiden name?" asked Isabel.
The three reasons are:
1. I liked my last name, and didn't see why I had to change it. French Husband did not mind.
2. Whenever I said his last name in France, I was greeted with, "That is not a last name." I could not say it correctly and therefore was glad to keep my own.
3. Read here for the third reason.
Michelle asked me to take a random photo of a person riding a bicycle during sunset, or someone watering flowers or walking through the park…. though I spotted people riding
bicycles I never managed to take a photo without a car whizzing by, the sun pouring into my lens, or a truck in the way…
How about a child jumping off a bench at the Louvre for random joy?
Debra P. asked about the family-run tour boats on the Seine.
The family-run tour boat or "Vendette" is located below the Pont Neuf bridge. They are the smallest, and the only vendettes that give a live tour versus one that is automated.
It is best to take the tour around nine or ten in the evening. The night sky casts a flawless black backdrop to the City of Lights.
For the thousands of you who asked to see a cat in Paris, let me tell you how tough that was: It was like pulling nails! I did not see one single cat. I might have had we gone to Pere Lachaise.
This was the best I could do…
Merry B. French Husband did not believe that anyone would ask to see a portable toilette, more so he didn't believe I would put it on my blog. Gene goofed off, as French Husband walked away from us in embarrassment.
Someone asked When you are traveling in France are bathrooms hard to find?
Yes, they are. Paris for example does not have many 'malls' bathrooms are plentiful in such places. But the small shops and boutiques do not offer bathrooms, or toilets, as they are called in French. If you have to go while in Paris, find a McDonald's (I kid you not) they have public bathrooms. Or stop at a cafe, and have a drink then you can use their toilette. Or use one of the portable toilets on the streets (sanitized after each usage, music playing, air-conditioned, paper, soap… a regular Chateau.)
Elaine, the mimes around the Sacre Coeur I did not see… Maybe they were on vacation or depressed due to the newest attraction: A young man who does amazing feats with a soccer ball.
Jend'isere (the master of turning words into works of art) asked to see a "Bonbon" shop in Paris…
In French a toned stomach is called a "Tablette de Chocolat" or as we say in English, "A six-pack." This young man had the sweetest, meanest tablette de Chocolat going. I could have taken a bite gladly. My cousin Gene and I were impresses not only by his talent but his muscles… dang, he could have stood and flexed and most of us would have applauded.
Cheryl Causal Cottage and many others wanted to see Macrons at Laduree… again another serious business. This is not where the cookie crumbles. Those little treasures are as costly as jewels.
Shelley at Decor Again asked to see a cheese shop. Jeri wanted to see cheese. But unfortunately, we ate it before I took a photo of it!
What it means to be French:
Baguettes
Cheese
Perfume
Laduree
To wet the senses with beauty every minute of the waking hour.
Perfume in Paris is serious business. Summer perfumes, winter perfumes, daytime perfumes, evening perfumes, Perfume for the older woman, perfumes for babies (!!) Going without perfume in France would be leaving the house without underwear.
If you doubt it look at the photo above…
Julie W. wanted to know if we ever found the perfume, my cousin, Kathy was looking for?
We never found the perfume Kathy's sister wanted. The clerks at the perfume shops told us that it was discontinued. Though the internet, that virtual world of wonder… has it!
"What type of camera do I use?"
I use a Canon EOS 30 SLR.
"Are lace curtains still hand-made or only passed down?"
I haven't seen any shops making them. Though hand-made antique curtains are often at the brocante.
"Did you keep a journal as a girl?"
I did. I started when I was 13. When my boyfriend died when I was 25, I did a crazy thing, I burned my past collection of memorabilia, journals, diaries, cards, 4-H journals…
"Are there thrift shops in France?"
Is the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Trocante is the name of the chain thrift store, and another is Emmaus.
A black beret for Becca.
"How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb?"
In my household zero. An American woman does it.
My French Husband says "Bob Lights" for light bulbs…
"I know this seems odd but when do you do your housework?"
Every second I can. I am a neat freak. I wish I wasn't, hence another thing to add to my list of conversations with God.
"Pain perdu" – is it really "lost bread" or is it just me who's lost?"
I do not know if you are lost, where are you?
French Bread, is called "Lost Bread" or Pain Perdu in French. Lost bread means Day old, hard baguettes.
"I've read that all over France, even down the most remote little side streets, people have "kitchen gardens." They make do with the smallest allotments or containers if they have to. have you seen many?"
Gardens yes. Small containers of basil, mint, thyme…yes. Though as you describe no not really.
"Did you learn to cook when you went to France or before?"
I learned how to cook when I was in a monastery and was assigned to work in the kitchen.
Did you know that Cotton Candy is called Barbe de Papa (Daddy's Beard) in French?
I would rather eat a tablet de Chocolat than Barbe de Papa wouldn't you?
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