Walking around Paris in the late afternoon in March. Rain glistens the streets, my shoes are soaked, I am happy to have an umbrella. The budding tree blossoms like spring banners sprinkle confetti and wave cheerfully, they do not mind the rain.
What to do in Paris when it rains? Enjoy it! Museums offer refuge, cafes do the same, take a swim in one of the many indoor swimming pools, stand in a beautiful doorway it is a great way to people watch, go buy flowers, take a cooking class or if you are really searching for fun, do a Kelly go out and sing in the rain!
I imagine living in the building I walk by. I imagine the beautiful objects, the dining room, the evening atmosphere, the conversations, the Parisian life. A movie rolls in my head, I hear music, the scene, the high heeled lady walks by with her little dog... Paris is a living set in 3D.
Oh Paris
anytime.
Walking in the rain I hum,
La vie est belle.
And count my lucky stars that I see it this way.
You are here, your comments roll in my mind: Must find flowers, store fronts, children playing in the garden... in the rain it is a bit tricky.
A favorite antique shop nearby, actually all the photos taken today on my blog are within ten minutes of where our apartment is. It might not be a tourist area of Paris, though it is a beautiful authentic and delightful.
What I love about the 14th in Paris, especially where we are located is that there are very few brand name shops. Most of the shops are independently owned, one of a kind, friendly, creative, original and different.
I am in Paris as it was as I remember it when I first arrived 27 years ago.
A child walks home alongside of his mother who is pushing a stroller. She is reciting a poem he needs to learn, he repeats the verses between bits of his pain au chocolat. The child carries a guitar on his back.
Rain does not stop the daily life in Paris.
Monday I had the great pleasure of going to the hardware store with Chelsea to help figure out and carry a closet home. Well a pair of closet racks is more the word. I didn't need to go for a walk or do the killer squats, because carrying the closet racks through the metro and then up four flights of stairs equalled five miles.
Sunday, we visited the Picasso Museum. After a few hours going through the museum Chelsea and I went outside to the terrace on top of the museum, waiting for French Husband who was still at the beginning of the museum. To say he decided to live with Picasso is saying he was moved joyfully one inch at a time.
How long can you stay in a museum?
Later he met us for a drink, or should I say dinner?
(Debra: Wanted to see artists painting in "plein air" I will get to that, but in the meantime here is one of Picasso's painting tools on a chair from the Picasso Museum.)
Leslie in Oregon, this is for you.
More to come with the sun.
Photos for:
Tammy, Tucked away shops.
Cindyafazio, Store fronts.
Susan, Children (soon to be playing) walking in the rain.
Terri in Texas, Flowering trees
Carole: Secret corners
Let me know in the comment section what you would like to see while I am in Paris, and I will try to snap a photo of it for you.
