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!
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