Wrap up

How do I wrap up a period of almost four months that began like this -

and has finished off like this - 

It's the passing of the seasons, something this garden has seen for many, many years...and that I was blessed to experience for one of them.

And in those seasons of Fall and Winter 2011-12, it's impossible to sum up the feelings or the memories in a few words.  But, truly, the words grateful, appreciative and blessed are primarily the ones that come to mind.  All the stories behind all the feelings and gratefulness will have to wait, for now.

But, before I depart (to visit friends, family and seek the ever elusive French student visa, not necessarily in that order), just a few more photos that capture some of my diverse Paris memories of Fall/Winter 2011-12.

Discount Pharmacy in Paris

I love shopping at the beautiful pharmacies in Paris (at least the wandering through part of it).  It has an organized calm and ambience that no number of Duane Reades in New York ever will.  

But the prices!  Zuts alors!

The other day, I was walking by this one, and saw so many women in there that my shopping radar told me it was not an ordinary pharmacy.  I joined the crowd and asked a shopper in line.  The answer I got was that this place is well-known in Paris because it has a huge selection, hugely discounted.  Or at least that's what I understood of the quickly spoken French.

In any case, I shopped and found it to be true.  For example, the Vichy brand body lotion I like in Paris costs 13 euros everywhere else.  Here, it was 8 euros. 

If you're in, or coming to, Paris, it's worth making note of it if you have a few favorites you have to bring home as gifts.

Citypharma

26 Rue du Four

75006 Paris

 

0%

0% fromage blanc!  Oh happy day!

Yes, I ate that entire container - it was amazing, guilt-free indulgence (so, so hard to find in cream/butter/fat-laden France).  

If you want to find it, too, Aux Vieux Colombier, 65, rue de Rennes (6th arrondissement, métro Saint Sulpice), is the place, a beautiful little café right in the heart of some of the best shopping in Paris.

65, Rue de Rennes , 75006 Pari

65, Rue de Rennes , 75006 Paris  

65, Rue de Rennes , 75006 Paris   was the place.

Street Signs of Paris

Street signs in Paris are probably the thing most often regarded, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a frown.  Up, down, up, down - up to the signs, down to the map, up to the signs, down to the....  You get the idea.

So it's natural to sometimes notice more than the name displayed on said sign and to make note, or to take a picture.  Above is a famous and very busy corner of Boulevard du Montparnasse where it meets the Boulevard Raspail; it's the location of many of Paris's most historic grand brasseries and cafés (La Coupole, Le Select, Le Dôme, Le Relais de L'Entrecôte and La Rotonde) and center of artistic Paris life in the early 1900's which blended with the American expat literary scene of that era.  

I found that particular street sign interesting because of the beautiful gold mosaic located directly above the iconic Paris street signage of today. 

For some reason, the sign in the Sixth Arrondissement above also has another above it, but it looks as though it could have been in that wall since Roman times, using the Roman lettering style of "V" to mean "U" in "RUE."  Eh, probably not.

Near l'Eglise Saint Sulpice, above the sign at Rue Henry de Jouvernel is another sign that has been aggressively crossed out, to avoid all confusion.  Good thing.

But look directly behind you to the other side of the same street, and the above is what you see.  And just to make double sure that you're doubly confused, cross the street, look left again, and below is another sign (of an older vintage), with the same name.  I think Férou wins; even Googlemaps agrees.

Les Soldes 2012

The big French winter sales began yesterday!  They are mandated by the French government (and may only run twice a year during these designated periods, except for "private" sales, which is for another post).  This round of les soldes will continue through February 21.  The prices continue to decrease as the days and weeks pass, as does the available inventory, so the game of timing is a precious one.

Buy your airline ticket now; there is still time!  I just saw a sale on the American Airlines website with great fares from the U.S., if anyone's interested.

Chante France

A new French radio station from Paris for my iphone and ipad!  To compliment my classical favorite, Radio Classique, I have just added Chante France.  Check out the internet link, and if it's a hit, you can add it as an app through itunes to your iphone, etc. (gratuit - free).

This station plays popular songs in France, old and new.  I've found that many popular radio stations in Paris play as many (or more) songs that are sung in English (like American hits) as in French.  This one is all French!  I discovered it by receiving the station in Paris through the old-fashioned radio on my très basic French cell phone. 

It's great as a running companion, and I can try to mouth the songs as I run, which must be quite a sight.  My French teacher keeps telling us to join a church choir to améliorer our spoken French, but since I don't see me singing at Notre Dame any time soon, this is my next best thing. 

Winter Tennis

Lucky kids who get to take off Wednesday from school every week!  Those are the young Parisian schoolchildren.  And, not just lucky, they get to play tennis, even in winter, under the rare Parisian sun, in front of the Palais (now the Senat) in the Jardin du Luxembourg.  

And when the students are not using the courts (which are reserved for them on Wednesdays), the adults come out to swing their racquets on the cold days, too, wearing scarves wrapped securely and fashionably around their necks, bien sûr, and even gloves (I cannot be sure what that does to their quality of play, but at least they get out there, year-round, it seems.)