This last week I have been more concerned with thorn proof gloves, scythes and secateurs than my usual shoes, magazines and espressos! Finally I am clearing the overgrown garden that I've looked out of my window and sighed at for years. It's miles away from my usual urban life, and the weather is fantastic. Hot, sunny - almost mediterranean. Being in the garden makes me feel I am not in the city at all. I'm starting to see the attraction of it, although it's bloody hard work.
Time to ease myself back into city life though. I will start today by donning an outfit that does not consist of a headscarf, paint splattered Old Navy T-shirt and battered army shorts.
And in a week I will be in my beloved Paris again. Doing lots of this:
window shopping and real shopping
breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien
strolling along the Seine
As always: I can't wait.
5 comments:
Jealous! (of Paris, not the gardening)
I'm not in Paris until August- my itinery is very similar to yours! I haven't been to Le Pain though- must go for breakfast.
Hope you have a wonderful time...
Oops, itinerary. I'm so excited about visiting Paris again that I can't spell.
I too am excited by the talk of Paris. Well actually, I am just excited by the talk of travel, since I have been waiting 3 weeks to have my passport renewed. At last it's here, all new and perky, and not a stamp in sight. Indeed, I had made grand plans for its virgin trip (adventures in South America or perhaps Central Asia). Instead, I will probably just travel someplace between London and various spots in Italy.
But while I'm waiting for all this to happen, I'll drop by Le Pain Quotidien in the meanwhile, my Le Pain. Indeed, whenever I see one of these anywhere in the world (thankfully generally interesting urban centers) it makes me feel strangely at home, knowing that I can drop by and find some of my familiar favourites. I suppose (though some will groan at this comparison) this is why Americans love to go to McDonalds (or these days, Starbucks, the new McDonalds). It provides some familiar piece of home, wonderfully transplanted to some foreign land, but where you can typically meet other tourists, which presumably is the whole point of travel.
I have had one curiosity, which perhaps you could answer for me. I was wondering whether the croissants at my local Le Pain are the same dimensions as the Le Pains in France? I have this sneaking suspicion that, if not supersized, they are at least plus sized here. I'm sure people won't look askance when you take out a foot ruler to measure the crescent-shaped beasts.
Cheers,
BB
Eurobrat - I will be jealous of you in August! Have a wonderful time too...
BB all I can tell you is that the Le Pain in London is not very nice...full of overly botoxed ladies who lunch (it is around the corner from Harley St so not surprising really). The food is about the same but the service lacks charm and the prices are much higher. Which makes going to my local Paris one all the nicer. Also it's one of the few places in Paris that actually serves breakfast - as in brunch kind of breakfast, not just coffee and a tiny croissant. I think their croissants are quite big, but I'll send you a photo to scale...
Thanks! Just one of my small obsessions... But indeed your point is well taken. Mine in the very bourgeois Upper West Side of NY is filled with family types. I mean in this in the best possible sense naturally. Squealing children. Women with double wide strollers and twins. When it first opened the communal table was a fine spot for potential flirtation. Over time it has become the spot for those who want to be alone.
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