Day 13
Coiffeur in Paris is a different experience. Found a small salon owned by two tough guys. Both smoked vapor cigarettes when they weren’t styling. Would never happen in the US! Fortunately I was with Marie, a lovely mademoiselle. Marie didn’t speak much English. We smiled at each other and used a variety of hand signals. Shocked when the bill was only $35. In the past getting a style had separate charges for shampoo, conditioner, blow dry, hair spray. The bill is usually $90. To top it all off Marie spoke three words to me before I left. She said “You are very coooool!” Sounds so sexy when you drag the o’s! French friend mentioned that if you add an o after the l the word becomes ass in Italian!
Tried to meet up with a Denver friend for drinks at Café Trama but couldn’t connect. Glad for the recommendation because this little spot turned out to be one of my favorites in Paris! Great little bar and good food at the table.
Day 14
There are hundreds of art museums in Paris. Most tourists flock to Musee du Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. The d’Orsay is my favorite! The museum for impressionist painters is in a beautiful train station, all glass. The light is perfect. Fortunate to be there for a Cezanne portrait exhibit. Cezanne is best known for beautiful still life paintings. The portraits are fabulous and actually very modern.
Had to stop for lunch at the fifth floor museum café. Salad and champagne, the best! Perfect view of Montmatre including the Sacré Coeur. The Basillica of the Sacred Heart is a powerful icon. Right up there with the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.
Always allow six hours for the d’Orsay. I will never get over these masters. I am always the most impressed with Van Gogh. Did research on him for my Master’s Degree. What a life! Never really successful while he was alive.
Day 15
We were invited to an amazing roof top restaurant above the Musee du quai Branly! The Eiffel Tower is so close it feels like you can touch it. Surprise 50th birthday party for our friend Yann. Since Yann didn’t know that we were in Paris it was great fun! Felt honored to be included in a special family gathering! Food and drinks the best ! So much laughter and good will here. Toured the museum after brunch.
Flew to Paris in 2015 for Nicolas Martin’s opening at Yann and Laetitia Deshoulieres’ gallery L’oeil du Prince (The Eye of the Prince). Yann and Laetitia invited us to stay in their apartment for 10 glorious nights. Will go down in my travel history as one my best vacations! Felt like we were part of a French family. After the first night Yann decided that the French and the Americans would speak with an Italian accent. We were all given Italian names. I am Carmelita. Many late nights with this crowd. Dinner at 10 and bed at 2. Loved the lifestyle!
Day 16
Last day before flying back to Denver. Time for a little shopping. Purposely traveled with a small suitcase to keep things simple and to shop for just a few special things. First stop LV for a purse. Guaranteed to start with a Mimosa in a crystal glass! Chose an artsy style design created by famous sculptor Jeff Koons. The purse shows a Ruben’s painting embellished with plenty of glitz. Has a blue rabbit LV charm. Check out video at Louis Vuitton, The Master’s Collection!
One last night with Yann, Laetitia and family at their apartment! Decided to show them how to drink tequila. Went to several liquor stores. Tequila is not popular in France. Picked up rock salt and organic limes. Went through the ritual with 7 filled shot glasses in front of me. Yann filmed my demonstration in high speed. It looks like I am going to drink 7 shots. I begged Yann to keep it off Facebook. Not a good image for a mother of 2, grandmother of 5, and university professor.
The End