The best things in life are unplanned. I had intended to visit Amanda in June after practicing French and planning my vacation moment by moment. I once again fooled myself into thinking I was in control. You think I would have learned this lesson well by now.
The unexpected demise of her first au pair job has led to lessons in culture, preparedness, and faith. She is much more prepared for the expectations of the next au pair position and has developed a support system of friends in Paris. She and the new parents have been candid about how they will all deal with issues as they arise, and Amanda has grown more confident and assertive. The time we are spending in Paris near her new job helps her as well. We understand the bus and subway system after practicing a few days.
As far as the Dijon family goes... Amanda has related more stories to me and we both agree that there were signs early on that they were not going to keep her. The week before the Sunday discussion, Amanda was at the mom's office and asked to make copies of papers that she needed to file about her job and the mom said there was no need even though days before that was important. Then there was the issue of limiting food which I believe was an even bigger deal. The mom was very concerned about weight - hers and her kids to the point of squeezing hands at dinner should they reach for a second piece of bread. She relieved Mandy of her cooking duties saying Mandy used cheese and olive oil in preparing food the first week. C'est la vie!
Back to Paris... the week started out perfectly. We easily found our way back to the deRostolan's door Monday night by bus and subway, and had a very pleasant dinner with them. Great wine and good food - pasta with delicious red sauce and the BEST ice cream in Paris - Berthillon. Then, Hubert and Elisabeth drove us to all the beautiful sites in Paris at night. A personal driving tour!
Today, we turned back into tourists. First, we slept late - the adrenalin that kept me going at the beginning is wearing off. Then, we took the Metro to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal where St. Catherine Laboure had visions of Mary... Her uncorrupted body lies in a glass coffin and I was very near the alter where Mary appeared. The humble chapel is magnificently beautiful inside in tones of gold and soft blues. It feels very reverent there and many devout pilgrims were praying inside... unlike the touristy churches like the Notre Dame. A sweet nun of the Daughters of Charity housed there said prayers with us and blessed medals that we purchased. This was very special to me as I grew up in St. Mary's Assumption Parish.
We then walked to Musee d'Orsay and saw the works of Van Gogh, Benoit, Renoir, Gaugin, and Monet. Elisabeth had shared a special free pass with us, so that was a special treat to not have to spend more money - (we are starting to ration now as Euros fly out of our wallets way too easily!)
Again, everywhere Amanda goes she attracts attention. The waiter at lunch slipped her a note with the bill that read in French "You are as charming as you are beautiful. - Bruno" and gave his phone number. All the vendors on the street offer to help teach her French - I think that's code for something to do with kissing. She handles herself very well with these compliments... better than I would at 19. As for me, I seem to look like a normal French woman because many people stop me on the street to ask for directions which I cannot give. Women here do not wear much makeup nor put much effort into their hair or dress as long as their shoes are good. I love that about the French women - they are more naturally pretty with little ado. Mandy says they look tired, and I believe they are. I know I am.
Tomorrow we attempt the RER to the palace at Versailles and Marie Antoinette's quarters. Mandy says she's watched movies about her so much that she will know all the details of the palace. It is supposed to rain but that's o.k. because the gardens are probably closed in winter. There will be plenty to see inside and we prefer if the rain keeps the crowds away.
Au revoir for now.
Lisa - guest blogger and mum
Showing posts with label Elisabeth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elisabeth. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Epiphany en Boulogne
Sunday night may serve as the highlight of our trip to Paris as we were invited to a family celebration in the beautiful home of Elisabeth and Hubert, Lucie's parents. (Lucie and Mandy are friends in Richardson - Lucie is an exchange student at JJ Pearce High School this year. Lois, our dear neighbor, serves as her American aunt and has had Lucie and Mandy over for dinner many times.)
Their home was exactly as I would imagine a French home to be in the city... enter through a heavy wooden door next to the sidewalk onto a porte cache, then into an inviting home filled with beautiful Louis XV furniture and lovely art with a ceiling with exposed raw beams. Their windows looked out to pretty courtyards very similar to those in New Orleans. By the way, there is wrought iron balconies everywhere. New Orleans is by far the most European city we have in America... or at least the only one that I have visited. And while I'm on decor, the most unexpected thing on this trip is to see all of the very modern furniture in many of the restaurants and lobbies. It is like the French have decided to turn their back on their history and leave antiques to the museums. The bright, sleek Ikea-like furnishings are in stark contrast to the beautiful old buildings which house them. Americans would give their eyeteeth to have the antiques! Well, at least the cathedrals here retain their beauty and history.
Amanda Rose and I took the bus to Elisabeth's neighborhood and then she picked us up at the bus stop. The bus ride was fun but slower than we expected. We were slightly apprehensive about knowing so little French to attend a family gathering, but what the heck! This is nothing if not an adventure! We have both developed tremendous courage from this trip. Not to worry! The family was sooooooooo gracious. Many were able to carry on long conversations in English even though they learned it years ago. They were very interested in talking to us and we enjoyed their stories. The cousins, uncles, aunts, sisters all had very interesting education and careers - lawyers, UN diplomats, government officials, retired military, financial managers, commercial real estate. Lucie's older sister is working in rural France to help poor farmers rent land. She organizes investors in the city to buy land for them. So cool! The uncles and aunts complimented me by saying they thought I was Amanda's sister, not her mother. I just love these people! Amanda attracted the attention of many of the charming great uncles. They were very complimentary of her eyes.
Oh and the food! King Cake here is like an almond or apple turnover with flaky crust. The "baby" inside are ceramic charms and the one who gets it wears a crown for the night. We also had champagne and cider and wonderful French coffee.
Elisabeth brought us back to the hotel which seemed way closer by car than by bus. She also brought Uncle Phillippe home in the car - he lives one block from our hotel. We have made lifetime friends. Should Amanda stay through July, I will feel much more at ease knowing she has these wonderful people to turn to.
Amanda is researching French schools today. Elena, Elisabeth's daughter-in-law from Brasil, suggested she look into a course at the university - La Sarbonne. We are also venturing to Notre Dame and Saint-Chappelle today. So much to see and do!
Love to all,
Lisa
(guest blogger for Amanda)
Their home was exactly as I would imagine a French home to be in the city... enter through a heavy wooden door next to the sidewalk onto a porte cache, then into an inviting home filled with beautiful Louis XV furniture and lovely art with a ceiling with exposed raw beams. Their windows looked out to pretty courtyards very similar to those in New Orleans. By the way, there is wrought iron balconies everywhere. New Orleans is by far the most European city we have in America... or at least the only one that I have visited. And while I'm on decor, the most unexpected thing on this trip is to see all of the very modern furniture in many of the restaurants and lobbies. It is like the French have decided to turn their back on their history and leave antiques to the museums. The bright, sleek Ikea-like furnishings are in stark contrast to the beautiful old buildings which house them. Americans would give their eyeteeth to have the antiques! Well, at least the cathedrals here retain their beauty and history.
Amanda Rose and I took the bus to Elisabeth's neighborhood and then she picked us up at the bus stop. The bus ride was fun but slower than we expected. We were slightly apprehensive about knowing so little French to attend a family gathering, but what the heck! This is nothing if not an adventure! We have both developed tremendous courage from this trip. Not to worry! The family was sooooooooo gracious. Many were able to carry on long conversations in English even though they learned it years ago. They were very interested in talking to us and we enjoyed their stories. The cousins, uncles, aunts, sisters all had very interesting education and careers - lawyers, UN diplomats, government officials, retired military, financial managers, commercial real estate. Lucie's older sister is working in rural France to help poor farmers rent land. She organizes investors in the city to buy land for them. So cool! The uncles and aunts complimented me by saying they thought I was Amanda's sister, not her mother. I just love these people! Amanda attracted the attention of many of the charming great uncles. They were very complimentary of her eyes.
Oh and the food! King Cake here is like an almond or apple turnover with flaky crust. The "baby" inside are ceramic charms and the one who gets it wears a crown for the night. We also had champagne and cider and wonderful French coffee.
Elisabeth brought us back to the hotel which seemed way closer by car than by bus. She also brought Uncle Phillippe home in the car - he lives one block from our hotel. We have made lifetime friends. Should Amanda stay through July, I will feel much more at ease knowing she has these wonderful people to turn to.
Amanda is researching French schools today. Elena, Elisabeth's daughter-in-law from Brasil, suggested she look into a course at the university - La Sarbonne. We are also venturing to Notre Dame and Saint-Chappelle today. So much to see and do!
Love to all,
Lisa
(guest blogger for Amanda)
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