I've been very clear that I don't want to plan the gift of my day in Paris. But, that hasn't stopped me from being ready with the price of the Carte Musee, exploring Metro options, or perusing special museum exhibitions and extended closing hours for the Wednesday that I will be there. I'll be prepared, not planned.
As departure nears, I find sweet gentle nudges around the Chatette that remind me of what Paris has meant to me in my life...from the ex-pat boyfriend, to Madam Vera, my trip with Mom, passing through on my way to buy the Chatette, and those special visits with Kat and Tom.
The first nudge came when I spotted a favorite art coffee table book by Charles Hobson called: "Parisian Encounters: Great Loves and Grand Passions." I fell in love with his book shortly after my first trip to Paris in '92, and I wrote to tell him so. Shortly, I received a return note with a one-page map of all the sites that were important to the couples he included in the book.
Remembering he'd written about Man Ray and Lee Miller, I scooped it up and now have the address of Man Ray's studio. I'd read a detailed biography of Man Ray last year that I'd borrowed from Eric, and promised myself a bit of a pilgrimage there the next time I was in Paris. So, Man Ray's studio and Montparnasse Cemetery-here I come. I'll have my one-page map tucked away for easy reference. Who knows where else it could carry me?
Kat and I have been talking about my day in Paris too. With my 60th coming up at the end of the month (interestingly, Man Ray and I were both born on August 27) , she mentioned that she had something for my birthday that she was going to send now so I could use it in Paris. I was a little puzzled until I opened the envelope that arrived this week...mad money for Paris. As Kat said, they usually send birthday flowers, but I have so many pretty ones of my own that this seemed like a better idea.
I have a little stash piling up on the ancient evier...maps, mad money, memory card refills and train tickets! Paris, I'm coming!