Paris - Yes, it's everything you think it is!

We headed out last Friday with a friend of Dave’s that had to drive to Paris for a business weekend.  We thought it would be nice to spend time in the car getting to know him and his girlfriend a little better.  Well, about 8 hours later, due to GPS errors, we made it to Paris.  It was a good time just talking except that minute by minute a cold was hitting me hard – sneezing, runny nose and eyes, achy – not the way I wanted to start my short adventure into Paris for the first time.  When we finally found our hotel that we were staying at, Danny dropped us off and we checked in.  I went straight to bed!  Dave headed out to check out the Trade Show he was there for.  I spent the afternoon and evening in and out of sleep and reading my book.  This first night we were staying outside of Paris in a little village called St. Denis.

The next morning I was actually feeling a “smidge” better.  Dave decided the night before that we were going to use some of his Marriott points and stay in the center of Paris for the next two nights.  So we checked out of the St. Denis Courtyard by Marriott and got on the subway to Champs D’Elysee.  The Renaissance Marriott was beautiful and just a five minute walk to the Louvre and D’Orsay museums!  The day turned out to be a beautiful, sunny but cold day.  Perfect for walking around, of course, that is if you’re feeling well.  However, I was a “trooper” (if I can say so myself) and we ventured to the Louvre.  I have to say it is such a tremendous gratifying feeling to see original masterpieces that you have only seen on cards and stationary previously.  As everyone says, the Mona Lisa is, what shall I say, much smaller than you expect.  Botticelli’s Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman is one of my favorite paintings but the sculpture is so amazing and beautiful.  Venus D’Milo – Winged Victory of Samothrace – The Three Graces – Cupid and Psyche.  I love sculpture and ever since visiting Italy three years ago and seeing Michelangelo’s sculptures I just love the European art culture.  After the Louvre, Dave took me to a very nice Paris café that was a local favorite.  We had the best bowl of French Onion Soup I have ever tasted – there was no skimping on the crusty bread and melted cheese on top!  Beef Bourguignon was my entrée and Chocolate Mousse was my dessert which topped the meal off perfectly.  We did not need dinner after that!  After lunch we began walking to Notre Dame.  I must say Paris is probably one of the most beautiful cities of the world – the architecture, the Seine River – just stunning.  We visited Notre Dame and again another work of art in architecture.  The massiveness of the cathedral – you realize how amazing the workers were to construct such a remarkable building of magnificence.  I remember when we were in Italy going into all of the Basilicas how amazed I was at each one of them.  Later that afternoon we met up with Danny and his girlfriend, Susanna, and they were going to go “out on the town” that evening to listen to music and asked if we would like to go with them.  We told them to give us a call when they were headed out, but all of you that know Dave and I, nightlife is not really our “thing.”  Of course, we were already in bed when they called at 9:00 PM.  Maybe if I had been feeling well we might have gone?  Probably not!

Sunday morning we got up and had a really good breakfast in the hotel and then headed outside.  Not as nice as Saturday – cold and raining but we were in Paris and had to go see the sights.  We headed over to the Musee de L’Orangie where the Monet Water Lilies in the round are in exhibition.  I enjoy some of Monet’s paintings but I guess I didn’t really appreciate the two rooms with the lilies in the round.  Parts of it were beautiful – parts were a question mark for me.  In the lower level was an exhibition of Heinrich Kuhn’s photography that was extremely intriguing.  I really enjoyed his work.  After the L’Orangie museum we began walking to the Eiffel Tower.  On the way it was so cold I had to purchase a hat from a street vendor.  Luckily I had brought a scarf and gloves.  On our way Dave took me down the street with the designer offices and shops – I found a pair of Prada shoes I wanted but, darn, the store isn’t open on Sundays!  Guess Dave got out of that one. 

  

So on we went – just around the next corner –oops – no, the next corner – and then there it was – whoa, it is much larger than you think.  So I said to Dave, I’m going to the top – he just looked at me like, “Really?”  Of course, you can’t go to the Eiffel Tower and not go to the top.  Dave has been there several times but never stood in line to go to the top.  Standing in line is not his favorite thing to do but he did on this day and it turned out to be a great experience.  While standing in line there were three college girls in front of us and all of a sudden two of them turned and said to the third girl, we’re not going to stand in line, we’re going to go climb the stairs, we’ll see you later.  I looked at the girl standing there and said they’re just going to leave you?  She said it’s OK, I’ll meet up with them later.  Well, we made a new friend – a delightful young girl named Alex from Syracuse, NY studying in Florence, Italy and was in Paris to visit for the weekend.  We ended up sticking together and taking each other’s pictures.  She was such a joy.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get any contact information for her but we did give her Dave’s business card so maybe someday we’ll hear from her.  Going up the first lift which takes you about a third of the way up, you realize just how high the Tower really is and you say I’m not sure I really want to do this.  Then you get off that lift and head to a second one – do I really want to go up higher? – I’m here, yep, here we go.  It was bizarre how high up it is and the view from the top.  Unfortunately since it was a cloudy day it was pretty foggy at the top and we couldn’t see a distant view but just the immediate city view was incredible.  Of course, when we got to the bottom I had to buy some of the dorky Eiffel Tower key chains – Five for one Euro – why not!  After the Eiffel Tower adventure we jumped in a cab and headed back to the hotel to drop a few things off then headed back out to go over to the D’Orsay museum.  We were running out of time but decided to take a quick breather when we got there and went into their café for a quick bite to eat.  Even in the museum we had an absolutely delicious “snack.”  Dave got an unbelievable cheese plate with greens and I got a French version of Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, arugula and Parma ham.  Dave also got a hot chocolate (he saw the lady next to us having one) and said it was like drinking melted chocolate – delish!  When we got done snacking we headed into the museum – again so many masterpieces – Renoir, Degas, Millet, Manet, Monet, Cezanne, the list goes on and on.  I definitely want to go back to spend more time there.  Before heading back to our hotel room we stopped and had a small coffee and dessert in a typical, very crowded, small café.

Monday morning we got up and enjoyed the great breakfast again in the hotel and headed to the train station.  Before leaving on the train we met up with a dear French friend, Olivier.  We met in a little coffee café across from the train station and enjoyed about an hour catching up on what’s going on in his life.  He invited us to visit him and his wife in Chamonix located in the northwestern French Alps just 15 km from Switzerland.  We’re hoping we can make that happen before we head back to the states.

I will say that Paris is one of those places that should be in your bucket list.

Hugs to all.

A Week Without Dave

Last weekend began my adventure to be by myself – without my husband in this land they call Amsterdam.  I have realized that my “free spirit” has not yet “freed” itself!  I have decided I am not a very independent woman which kind of surprises me.  However, I ventured out on my own quite a few times this past week and I am learning how to work situations out for myself.  It has only taken 57 years!

I had heard about a market that is only open on Saturdays that has organic produce, meats, breads, cheese, you name it along with flea market booths.  So on Saturday I got on the internet and figured out which trams to take to get there.  It was in an area I had not been in before and was not familiar with.  So that afternoon I ventured out on the trams.  While on the tram to get there the driver made a long announcement – in Dutch, of course – and I heard the name of my stop but figured I should be fine so I really didn’t give it a second thought.  So I got to my stop, got off the tram, looked at my map and figured out which direction to begin walking to find the market.  It was a really nice market – much nicer than the other large one I had already been to.  While walking around these markets you always have to keep in mind that you have to carry whatever you purchase back with you to the tram stop and home.  So I only bought a small piece of goat cheese and a wool hat.  I also met up with one of the woman I have met and she had a friend with her from Greece.  We enjoyed walking around looking at all the fun stuff and then I left them and walked back to where I had gotten off the tram.  Oh, no – the construction that I really didn’t pay attention to – there were no tracks for the tram going back the direction I needed to go and it was quickly turning dusk.  So after a few minutes of panic I said to myself just start walking the direction you came from and there has to be another tram stop with the tram headed your direction.  I found it and got home safely.

I have a weakness for these markets and I had also heard about another market that only happened on the First Sunday of each month.  This market was more handmade and unusual items.  So, again on Sunday I figured out the tram schedule and headed out.  I loved this one and plan on going to it again next month.  I purchased a few Christmas gifts and had a homemade sausage sandwich on my way out.  I didn’t encounter any problems on this day except that it was extremely cold and I really didn’t wear quite enough clothes.  I have learned to carry umbrella, gloves, hat and scarf in your bag just in case!

Let’s see then this week I have gone to two coffee get-togethers, to lunch with a couple women and today was an all day trip to a little town named Nijkerk where there is a Polish Pottery Outlet.  There were about 15 women from the American Women’s Club and we all piled in cars and headed out early this morning.  For any woman that likes to shop, get great deals and loves pottery – Paradise!  Shall I say I have most of my Christmas shopping done!  After the shopping, we all headed into the town square and had lunch at a really nice café.  Today I had Maize Soup and half of a Brie, Apple, Walnut Sandwich.  Shall I say YUM!  I was in a car with 4 other women and we had a little trouble trying to figure out how to get out of the little town and finding the expressway (I was not driving!) but we figured it out and were safely home by 3:00.

I have received several emails from friends this week that I haven’t really talked to in a long time which causes me to excitedly open my email every morning to see who has emailed me while I have been sleeping.  I have to say I am a very blessed woman to have all of you out there praying for us, emailing us, calling us and just letting us know you’re there.  Thank you!

Dave heads home tomorrow and I am anxious to see him.  Next week will be a busy week for him as several people from San Diego will be coming over.

Hugs!

Grandkids Halloween!

Just had to share a few photos!  Sorry Joaquin's is a little blurry!

Sleeping Beauty doesn't look too happy - maybe she can't find her prince?

My sweet smelling little skunk!

Whoa, Mario!

Sorry, it’s been so long…

Dave says everyone is asking where my next blog is…here you go!

Where did I leave off?  It’s been a while.  Dave and I flew to Great Britain last Friday to attend a guitar show in Leichester.  I have been to trade shows with Dave but this was much smaller, more intimate and just guitars and guitar stuff.  Dave laughed at me because I was so amazed at how someone (mostly men) can come into a show like that and spend the whole day!  I guess it’s kind of like women going clothes shopping!  Anyway, I saw men come in and go to each display of different brands of guitars and sit and play one or more guitars at each display.  They would look at it and admire it and then sit and play a couple songs then move onto the next guitar and then the next display.  There were also some couples and the wives were just as enamored by the show as their husbands!  To add to my amazement, some of the people including some of the couples came back on Sunday to spend the day again to do it all over again!  On Saturday afternoon a couple came by and discussed Taylor guitars with Dave and then invited us out to dinner.  So we had a delicious Italian dinner with the couple that evening.  We were joined by a delightful young man, Karl, who was also there helping with the show.  We were not in Great Britain long enough for me to really see the countryside but we met several lovely people that asked us to come back and spend time visiting them and enjoying the English life. 

Monday, we flew home and spent the beginning of this week getting some paperwork done and, of course, cleaning the apartment.  Tuesday, we walked to “De Poezenboot” – The Cat Boat, a local cat rescue that is on one of the canal boats.  Dave really would like to have a cat while we’re here since we had to leave Tank and Soleil at home.  He has wanted a cat for years but living where we do in California, it’s just not wise with all the coyotes running around.  So here is the perfect place to have a kitty!  There was one cat that we really liked named “Silly J” and we were almost ready to adopt her but wanted to think about it for a day.  Silly J is currently fostering a kitten and we really didn’t want to separate them except that they had a home for the kitten but not her.  Dave was torn and decided we should really wait until he gets back from the states.  So when I called to let them know we were going to wait a bit, lo and behold, they were sad for us but happy for Silly J because the family that was taking the kitten decided that they would take Silly J if we decided not to take her.  So it worked out for the best.  There will be another “Silly J” waiting for us at a later date!

On Wednesday night Dave invited a friend, that he met years ago while visiting here, and his girlfriend to dinner.  So Wednesday, I was busy shopping for ingredients and cooked most of the day.  We have a very small grocery market close by that did not have everything I needed so I set out walking and shopping at different small shops until I found all of the ingredients.  Dinner was homemade lasagna, Caesar salad (with homemade dressing), garlic bread and apple crisp.  Everyone had seconds so I guess, if I can say so myself, it was very tasty.  We had a very enjoyable evening visiting and getting to know each other better.  Of course, Dave had to tell some of his dorky stories (that I’ve heard a “million” times) but they were enjoyed by all.  It was fun to light the candles and entertain guests.  When are you coming so I can do the same for you?

Yesterday was my birthday and I thank all of you that sent me birthday wishes.  I really feel blessed to have so many wonderful friends and I do miss all of you!  I spent the day going to my first American Women’s Club meeting.  It was in a beautiful old building close to the center of Amsterdam.  I didn’t take my camera but wish I had so I am sorry no pictures to post.  The speaker for the meeting was a henna artist originally from Israel but now lives in Amsterdam.  She was very interesting and does workshops on henna explaining its history and many uses, and then she teaches you the art of painting with henna.  I picked up her literature because I think I would be interested it checking out.  After the meeting, about twelve women went to lunch.  We ate in a very popular cafeteria style café.  This is not your typical American cafeteria.  It was all freshly made, nutritious foods – there were no fried, fast foods here.  The variety was vast – Salad Station, Stir Fry Station, Hot Food Station, Soup Station, Dessert Station, Fruit and Smoothie Station and, of course, Wine and a Coffee Station.  I think there were more stations but being my first time I was a little overwhelmed so I decided on a salad with some soup.  The salad station had fresh roasted vegetables, fresh veggies, olives…and the soup I had was a wild mushroom cream…let me just say it was delicious!

After coming home, I had a few hours to just read and “veg” while Dave had a conference call to the states.  Then again, I was eating – Dave and I walked down to the small café at the corner and had a very intimate, cozy dinner, just the two of us.  It was so enjoyable and it will probably be one of our favorite small places to go that is close to the apartment.

This morning Dave was up very early getting things together to head to the states for a week.  I got up and gave him good-bye kisses and watched out the window as he got on the tram to head to the airport.  It’s a cold, dreary, drizzly day and I will probably enjoy hanging out here today.  Do some wash, pick up a little and have a cup of tea while reading my book.  Tonight a couple of the ladies said they would like to go out for a drink to celebrate my birthday – I’ll let you know!

Love and hugs to everyone.