Two Americans in Paris
Mary and Bob spent a week in Paris and wanted to share their experience…
More Americans in Paris
As Americans in Paris, our six day visit to that magical city in November, 2005, was the fulfillment of a long-held dream of my husband and me. Mostly we walked the streets, boulevards and bridges of Paris for seven or eight hours each day.
We ended every day with the purchase of a bottle of wine to be consumed as we retired to the charming accommodations of our hotel, Jardin De L’Odeon in the Latin Quarter.
We dined on luscious crepes at open air windows on the city streets, lunched in colorful cafes and bistros. We dined on a Seine dinner cruise where we consumed fabulous cuisine while enjoying entertainment provided by talented musicians as we enjoyed the sparkling lights along the shores of the City of Light.
But mostly we walked. We marveled at the sight of the Eiffel Tower at dusk, the magnificence of the Arc de Triomphe at mid-day, the glory of Notre Dame anytime, and the splendor of the Champs-Elysees. We delighted in searching for bargains on the steep streets of Montmartre; were awed by the pristine beauty of Sacre Coeur and titillated by the lusty lower streets of Montmartre and the sight of the Moulin Rouge. We do wish there was a marker to note the Montmartre location of our own West Virginian ex-patriot’s, Bricktop Smith, famous jazz club of the 1920s and 30s.
We were inspired by the fabulous Louvre and its myriad of priceless treasures. We loved and were proud to see the fantastic photographs of so many American Jazz greats located on the walls of all places, the classy Champs-Elysees McDonald’s Restaurant.
We thrilled to the music of an Ameican ex-patriot jazz ensemble blowing some great riffs on one of the city’s many bridges on a chilly November afternoon…
We wish we could have attended the Sorbonne in our youth and been lovers, strolling hand in hand beside the Seine.
We were most gratified at the courteous and helpful treatment we were accorded by all the Parisians we encountered during our visit. We wish we could have had six months instead of six days to explore the magic of Paris. We will return. Paris, spring, summer, fall or winter, we love you!
Postscript: Our beautiful French flavored city of New Orleans suffered the horrible tragedy of Hurricane Katrina last year. Our government’s response to the aftermath was a national disgrace. However, we hope someday, when it is restored to its former beauty, Parisians will come visit our wonderful city and enjoy its music, food and unique culture.
Bob and Mary Lee Scalf
Here are a selection of photographs you may or may not want to use. The one of the woman striking a pose is an example of my extreme egotism. If you should want to use it, it might be appropriate as « An American in Paris ». In my youth I aspired to be a model but it did not happen. However, I still like to dream. Best, Mary Lee S.
