Wandering in Paris

Wandering in Paris

Yesterday I did more wandering and in doing so got a bit turned around and so approached a woman of a certain age, who, in reply to my question, “Excusez moi, parlez vous anglais?” said, “Très mal!” Which means, “very badly!”  I was just thrilled. No, seriously, my heart skipped a beat because I knew this meant that she would put up with my fumbling attempts to speak french AND would probably forgive my butchering of her beautiful language.  I was then able to tell her I was lost and was trying to find the metro and did she know where the correct metro line was.  Thankfully I was even able to understand her directions.  Yay and Yay!

Later I had some trouble with my metro day pass and was able to get help from two lovely gentlemen who informed me (in French) that I mustn’t keep my metro ticket next to my cell phone as it deactivates it, but they issued me a new one, and off I went to visit the Catacombs!  This last conversation was spoken in a combination of French and English, which I’m getting quite good at and people seem to understand, and are very kind and patient with me.  Oh how I love France!

As I was a bit early for my tour of the Catacombs, I went to an exhibit of female photojournalists and another on the occupation of Paris during World War II.

Christine Spengler

Lee Miller

Catherine Leroy

Susan Meiselas

The exhibit on the occupation of Paris was also powerful.

And then it was time for my tour of the Catacombs!

I was supposed to then go to the Sacre Coeur, but I got onto the wrong train and didn’t realize until it was too late to get there in time, so that will have to be another day.

I spent the evening with friends.  And on the way to their home I stopped in one of the many beautiful flower shops in Paris and brought them these.

Today I’m off to the Aiguille en Fete!