I’ve visited seven cities over the last four weeks but if I could pick one place to live for a few months it would have to be La Marais in the 3rd Arrondissement of Paris.
So many wonderful little boutiques de vêtements, boucheries, boulangeries, an outdoor food bazaar called Marche De Enfants Rouges, a low cost fresh salad bar at FranPrix supermarket, and of course, the numerous cafe’s on the sidewalk. But it’s more than that, people are nice and respectful of one another, there’s a sense of shared community. I get the feeling waiters, shop owners and residents are all keeping a casual eye on things, I felt safe.
I had many short conversations with locals, they all have time for a chat. I was tempted to buy all sorts of things because the standard of clothing worn by local people is quite high, but I’m already carrying quite a bit of weight, so I resisted, although I did go to the local Uniclo.
I avoided the big galleries and went to see the Monet’s at L’Orangerie, and the Picasso Musee, which conveniently, is in La Marais.
It’s becoming difficult to get around the city pre-Olympics, there’s masses of fencing everywhere blocking much of the Champ de Mars, and they have reduced traffic lanes for the runners and cyclists competing soon. I would not want to be there during the Olympics – too conjested, too crazy!
Elo suggested I take a Lime bike with my pack and backpack to Gare du Nord, only 20 minutes, a bit wobbly and top heavy, but . . , I made it.
Eurostar from Gare du Nord to St Pancras in 2 hours.
My first day in London was so much fun, a social time catching up with Leo, Saul, Bill, and bro Guy. London has such a different atmosphere, especially coming directly into Brixton. More crazy people shouting out, more shabby, more earthy, it’s London, the whole world is here.
We bought wine and snacks and watched England beat The Netherlands on the telly, the final is on Saturday, tomorrow, and it’s going to be madness!
The best pub lunch I’ve had for a while, in Islington; steak pie, mash, cabbage and gravy! Such a pretty area, and again, another side of London. Guy and I did a guided tour of The Barbican, a part of London I never really explored although I did play with an Australian bass player who was at Guildhall School of Music where I put a notice up way back in the 80’s, and we did a few café gigs together.
The tour was so interesting, a residential complex that’s been so well designed, would I live there? – sure, why not.
