It’s good to do uncomfortable things.
It’s weight training for life.
Ann Lamott
Mark III (my camera) and I are off on another European honeymoon, photographing who and what make us happy. Friends who have never traveled or dined solo ask, “How do you do it?” I say it’s my fun version of silent meditation, time to play voyeur–like watching reality TV without the TV, listening in on conversations in a variety of languages I don’t understand. It’s about curiosity and freedom in solitude. Even if you don’t travel for work, every mom should leave their adorable cutiepies home at least once a year and give herself the gift to go wherever she wants, wake and sleep when she feels like it, and pay attention to her own pleasures.
First stop, Paris!
With all the walking up and down countless staircases in buildings and metros, gym membership is unnecessary here despite the baguettes, croissants, and frites. Getting lost is the perfect excuse to ask for directions and practice speaking French–I’m just amazed that some locals don’t understand their own language?! 😉 Today I felt like I won the megamillion lottery finding someone off the street who spoke English and knew the train transfers to get me to a little known destination for which I had mapquested the wrong address.
And you know what’s so great about traveling when it’s still chilly? Your toes are too numb to feel how much they hurt from all the walking!
What I love to do in this town:
Tear up (or snore) listening to live classical music at the glorious Sainte Chapelle
8 Boulevard du Palais 75001 Paris
01 53 40 60 80
Drool over well heeled desserts…
…and chic Pariseinnes!
Dine fancy like
the Cristal Room at the Baccarat Museum
11,Place des Etats Unis
(Ok, this one’s not that close to the Seine)
Gape at the architecture
Stroll through the Tuileries and walk for miles and miles
Catch some Louvre—
or my favorite is it’s petite neighbor, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs
107 Rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris
01 44 55 57 50
Do a little dance at
Le Caveau de la Huchette for swing dancing with the locals and a live jazz band–it’s a cave of a wine cellar below street level.
5 rue de la Huchette
Barrio Latino for salsa (not next door to the Seine)
46 Rue du Faubourg St. Antoine
Travel back in time and read some at Shakespeare & Co. while someone may serenade you on the old piano.
37 Rue de la Bucherie 75005 Paris
01 43 25 40 93
Glimpse my future European mansion
Stay away from the Eiffel–
except when it glitters at night
and toast it with fresh squeezed orange juice and Salad Chaillot at Cafe du Trocadero.
8 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre 75116 Paris
01 44 05 37 00
The Trocadero is where you get the best view of the Eiffel.
Without the Eiffel, wonder what else might be Paris’ icon?
Stalk a mystery Frenchman 😉
And pose for a self-portrait
(You know I mean my reflection on the glass window, yes?)
An early Happy April Fool’s and a bientot!
Click on “Leave a Comment” (above left) to share what thrills you in the City of Light.
xoxox
© Sharon Birke
201 697 1947
PowerfulGoddess@me.com
Glamour Portraits of the Goddess in Every Wife & Mother
xoxox
Powerful Goddess Portraits 
Mar 28, 2013 @ 08:42:37
Paris! Just can’t stay away from the Eiffel huh, Sharky? I like the night time shots of it better too. What an adventurous Goddess you are traveling on your own (except for Mark) and enjoying the peacefulness of solitude if you so desire. Thank you for sharing these beautiful shots of your “walkin” tour! Love your self portrait! Must have gotten quite a bit of attention on the avenue..;)
Mountain
Mar 31, 2013 @ 16:02:29
Life is one grand adventure indeed, Mountain!