Soar-Dream-France

Doable Paris Weekend Plans

As "overwhelming" as all this stuff can be, it's still so much fun to capture a bit of it on film.  Paris, Paris, Paris...everywhere (partout)! There is so much exquisite and beautiful about Paris, but for some reason it is these silly little things that make me laugh and smile. I'm going to be taking a quick weekend trip to Paris with a friend sometime during this two month assignment-it seems terribly quick to me so I'm playing through the weekend "musts" in my mind.  I know we will stay at the tiny Ibis, get a museum pass for the day so we can breeze through a few favorites, the Eiffel Tower, the Marche aux Puces, a night time ride on the Seine and if I can find a classical music concert in an ancient Catholic Church we my try.  I'm getting tired already, but I think it can be done.  What would you do if you only had a weekend in Paris?

Paris Chairs-Montmartre

Chairs are special in Paris. I love Paris chairs. I went a little nuts on my last visit in the chair department, but as you already know...empty chairs speak to me.  What do empty chairs say to you? 

Old Friends and New Places

I chuckled in the train station in Frankfurt the other day.  My colleague and I were checking out our connections for Stuttgart the following morning. A huge sign for Bitburger Beer caught my eye and made me smile. I had to have one, so we went in and had a Bitburger beer and shared a huge pretzel together. We are in Germany, of course.  But my first Bitburger was in New Orleans.  My friend LD had spent time in Germany. He practically ran to the Bitburgers he found in the liquor store on Chartres Street, a half block from the Napoleon House.  He bought a six pack and we each took one.  We began to share Bitburgers from time to time.  Our friendship grew over the years.  We lost touch long before the new millennium.  I miss LD.  Every time I see a Bitburger in Germany, I will think of him.  Happy President's Day.  

Happy Valentine's Day from Stuttgart

 

It may be a tiny little heart

but it brings BIG HEART

wishes for the

happiest,

lovingest,

VALENTINE's DAY ever!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY-Love, LAURY

Puzzle Pieces

As I write, I have this new view to ponder from my hotel window in Stuttgart.  My city winter wonder land is quite different from home.  I sometimes feel like there are these extremes to my life...here I am, working, busy, in the city, easing in to yet another foreign language on my off time, and asking myself about all this new yet again in my life.  I love our life in the Lot on the other extreme, but this new is going to let us continue in that home that is ours. I'm excited about this new.  It feels like a piece to "our" puzzle that is swirling around out there.  I hope it's going to land and snuggle in for a while!

Time to Coffee-Up

Passing through Paris on my way to Frankfurt, I had a little more time than usual so I got out in the morning for a few quick shots in Montmartre.  Walking down from the Butte on my way back to the Ibis, I was overcome with just how much I miss Paris. I've vowed to find more time and to try not to always just be passing through.  Ah, to have a whole day where one of these chairs is waiting just for me.  I get my cappucino and my journal and spend the day coffeeing up, people watching, and gazing up at Sacre Coeur from just this spot.  Care to join me? 

My Friend Harry

Feeling a little homesick, and knowing that Dali and Sammie cat are elsewhere...I remembered that I took this shot of the newest addition to the Chatette "Harry".  Harry was a sweet present to me on my last day in Cadrieu.  All I had to do was give him a name...where Harry came from I'll never know.  He's sitting right where I would love to be right now-snuggled into the corner of my big comfortable fauteil with my matching pillow and comforter.  I'm not very good at this living in a hotel stuff, but I've framed some photos with pictures of Dal and Sam, put up one of my calendars, bought a sweet little purple crocus, and don't forget that bottle of Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux I picked up at Aldi's in the mall that is on the other side of the park from the hotel.  I'm feeling more at home each day.  I just remembered...Harry the Dromedary! Harry is a camel and dromedary is camel in French...pretty close to perfect!  Happy Friday and long weekend ahead!

Watching the Biggies from Abroad

I could post about a lot of things for my first photo post since I left home, but this has to be the biggie for me.  I'm not a huge football fan, but Drew Brees is really holding the whole City of New Orleans and maybe even the State of Louisiana in his hand.  I arrived in Frankfurt on Saturday hoping to find a pub or sports bar that would have the Superbowl.  I turned on my TV and voila...ESPN AMERICA! So, I managed to snuggle under the covers and watch the Superbowl from 12:30 on.  I called Mom and Dad during half-time to say I arrived, rolled over and then cried from Tracey Porter's defensive interception all the way through to the end of the game and into the morning.  All I could think is: "Here I am in Frankfurt watching the Saints win the Superbowl and reading about Mitch Landrieu winning the Mayor's race in the primary in the International Herald Tribune."  I could tell you about my feelings, but there would be way too much boo-hooing for any of us to stand. Both are biggies for New Orleans no matter where you're at!

Safely Settled

Hello Everyone-a brief note to let you know I'm safely settled but have hit the ground running.  I'm just learning to use this new notebook and getting myself all teched up. So, once I get it down I'll be back with some photos and entries.  See you soon-Laury 

I Will Be Back!

Yes, I will be back.  I'm not sure how long it will take me to get settled and hit my pace in Germany, but I know that I'll be able to be connected at my hotel.  So, like my Dals...be patient and I'll be back.  Much Love till then-Laury