The last time I saw Paris

After packing a big vegan lunch and a very early morning breakfast at Plum Village I was off to the small, quiet and peaceful Saint Foy La Grande station near Bordeaux. There I boarded a fast train to Paris. Cruising at over 100 miles per hour. I enjoyed the greenest rolling hills, fresh cut hay fields, and such exquisite chateaus with grape laden vineyards. I know why the Impressionists so loved Southern France. I marveled at the expanse of sunflowers that Van Gough painted while munching on my lunch.

Returning to the old Montparnasse train station,  I was reminded that Paris is a bustling place.  A short taxi ride to my Eiffel Hotel, (walking distance to the Tower) and then I was off to explore the city of love. 

Close to 50 years ago and teaching Art in St Louis, I was excited to travel to Europe and especially excited to see the great artworks in Rome and Paris.   

I clearly remember the huge Louvre Museum and the famous Mona Lisa smile…that has not changed.

In fact the centre of Paris, the old wonderful buildings and charming tree lines streets, quaint sidewalk cafes and French patisseries remain unchanged as well as the Seine River and the magnificent Eiffel Tower. The boats cruising the mid-city river however have changed. You can ride a boat taxi to all the famous landmarks, get off and then get back on for the next stop. It is a wonderful way to site-see and avoid traffic.

 

It was really a hot day in July but great for photos. Amazingly I saw the both the Right and Left Bank communities, shopped a bit and visited most of the places I had seen before, maybe with a bit more appreciation and respect as I have aged but Paris hasn’t. The Grande Old Dame is as beautiful as ever.  A perfect day ended with a lights on the Eiffel Tower, a plate of fresh fruit, amazing cheeses and crusty French bread. YUM!

A Day in Dieulivol

Dieulivol is a tiny village near Boudreaux in the south of France.

After a long hot walk from our Hillside cottage in Plum Village, we found a nearly abandoned village with an amazing view of the valley. It was like going back into another time in history. Along the way we saw manicured vineyards, fields and fields of sunflowers, even pink and red hollyhocks in bloom that I fondly remember from growing up in southern Wisconsin. The sky was brilliant cobalt blue with puffs of fluffy cotton clouds.

Approaching the top of the hill we found an old wooden cross, an outdoor prayer alter, a stone grotto with Mother Mary and a picturesque ancient stone church.

There was even a World War Memorial as a tribute to the many village men that had died in battle.  It felt eerie to be surrounded by reminders and remains of another countries part in the war. A little further along was a very old cemetery, still being visited (by us!)

The village seemed empty except for a charming French couple who ran a small Bed & Breakfast that served coffee, fresh croissants and even had marginal wi-fi with the longest password I have ever seen. Amazingly it worked and was good enough to send an email back to the States and to Hong Kong. 

Kisses, so French...just try to remember that password every day!

As we left we noticed the village sign had a red line through it... never did figure out why, maybe it was time to leave the delightful Dieulivol.

Smiles, Sunny Days and Sunflowers for You!