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Missing Paris Only When I’m in Paris

Baie des Anges, NiceBaie des Anges, Nice

I have a friend living in Nice who moved from Paris a few years ago who says, “I only miss Paris when I’m in Paris.”

I understand exactly what he means. When he’s in Nice enjoying the blue skies, aqua waters, brightly-colored architecture and good humor of the locals and tourists, he’s not thinking about Paris. But when he’s in Paris, he’s loving it and thinking how much he “might” miss it, but then doesn’t when he’s home in Nice. It’s kind of like, “out of sight, out of mind” rather than “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Almost all my Niçois friends have once lived in Paris and they all have the same feeling. And I know now what they mean, since having spent five weeks in the Southern city this summer. Already, I’ve vowed to do it again next summer, and maybe even stay a tad longer — more till the end of August. Yesterday, I was loathe to leave; sad when SNCF picked up my big suitcase to ship it for me, even though now that I’m back in Paris, it feels like putting on an old shoe — broken-in and totally comfortable.

Now that I’m back in Paris, my first stop will be Café Charlot for the usual lunch and to say hello to the waiters who have come to know me as a regular. While sitting at a café on the Cours Saleya in Nice last Sunday, I ordered a “café allongé” — which is an espresso with added water, something akin to an American coffee that they also call a “café Americain”…except this time, the waitress called it a “café U.S.!” (Pronounced “KAA-FAY OO-ESS”) That’s the first time I’d heard it called that. My response to her was, “Next, you’ll be calling it a ‘café Trump!'” (She didn’t get my bad joke.) Now, I wonder if it’s the latest expression to hit the cafés!

Christian Dior ExhibitionChristian Dior Exhibition

Van Gogh Grande, Halle de la VilletteVan Gogh, Halle de la Villette

Portraits de CézannePortraits de Cézanne

Paris Plage

A stop at the market will be in order to pick up a few goodies for the fridge (not much since I never eat in) and my “dance card” will start to fill in little by little. I’ll check out whatever exhibitions are on — not many during the summer vacation season, but a few special ones worth a trip. Here are a few to consider:

Christian Dior, Couturier du Rêve
from 05 July 2017 to 07 January 2018
Les Arts Décoratifs – Musée des Arts Décoratifs – 107 rue de Rivoli, Paris

Art/Africa, Le Nouvel Atelier
from 26 April 2017 to 04 September 2017
Fondation Louis Vuitton – 8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris

Imagine Van Gogh
from 23 June 2017 to 10 September 2017
Grande Halle de La Villette – Parc de la Villette – 211 avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris

Portraits by Cézanne
from 13 June 2017 to 24 September 2017
Musée d’Orsay – 1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, Paris

David Hockney
from 21 June 2017 to 23 October 2017
Centre Pompidou – Place Georges Pompidou, Paris

Or, perhaps I’ll head for the Paris Plage. This year, Paris Plage is on until as late as September 3rd, with rowing, sailing, kayak polo, paddle and even  electric bumper boats for the little ones. There is even a zip-line crossing the Basin de la Villette over 160 meters long and 8 meters off the ground. Check out this video out this video — I might just have to go do that, since zip-lining is way up on my list of fun things to do!

La Rentrée doesn’t officially start until September 4th, which is Labor Day Stateside. Until then, France will be on vacation soaking up the rays until the last minute…and unfortunately, as usual, the rays aren’t predicted for Paris this week. So, if you’re at the beach, stay there. (Wish I still was.)

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds - photo by Barb Westfield, with Michael Honegger Peeking On

Adrian Leeds
Adrian Leeds Group

(photo by Barb Westfield, with Michael Honegger peeking On)

 Respond to Adrian
The Adrian Leeds Group

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