The Perfect Day (La Journée Parfaite)
This piece is dedicated to my friend Wendy Harrop. Her joy and acceptance of only what will delight her is something I aspire to have more of in my life. Gratitude isn’t enough to describe the impact that she’s had in my life.
It’s her asking me what a perfect day would look like that led to the creation of this post.
The perfect day (La journée parfaite)
The sun rises over the City of Lights.
As I wake, the 6 line of the Metro rumbles on by, silently as I open the shades of my hotel room window. The darkness of night gave way to skies in shades of pink, orange and white. La tricolore waving proudly in the breeze as I step out of the Rive Gauche hotel.
With breakfast done, it was time for get on with the day.
The next stop, Anvers.
As I rise up from the Metro, I can see it at the top of the hill. The basilica, Sacre Couer. But before I begin the journey up hill, I’m joined by my sister.
As we walked, the cobbled streets of Montmartre called back to the first visit to Paris in 2012. The Moulin Rouge, the Cafe 2 des Moulins, Au Lapin Agile and Dalida’s bust. Finally we reach the basilica and open the ornate doors. But not before taking in the view. All of Paris was in front of us in the deep blue sunlight. She said to me, Oz have a wonderful day!
Making it back downhill, it was time for the next stop.
The Centre Pompidou. It’s fleshed out exterior is hard to miss. Opening the doors to see it laid bare. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass by the third time to see the museum.
I had one more stop before lunch. The Musee Picasso. At the entrance I was greeted by a familiar face, Brux-Anna. She & I briefly met at O Chateau in 2012. But this time, I would find out that she worked at the museum and would give me a private tour of his collection. She moved to Paris after living in San Francisco for eight years. I was able to get to know her in the time of our visit.
Mid afternoon.
I get back on the Metro and walk past the line at the Catacombs. I’m heading to another favorite spot for lunch. But first, a walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg. The autumn leaves providing a brief moment of stillness amid the hustle and bustle of the city.
At the end of the walk, I see my friend Jen Jinx, the now Ms. Palmer-Bryant. Our hug lasted what seemed like forever. Over lunch, we reeled in the years. I couldn’t thank her enough for making me feel so seen all these years. For helping me embrace my inner unicorn.
2pm. I made it to the steps of the Opera Garnier. I could see her pink coat from a distance, it was Alma, the tour guide that walked us through the Place de la Concorde and led us through the streets of Paris until we reached the Comedie Française. This time, we would visit the opera house together. It’s majesty brought Gaston Leroux’s words to life.
4pm, time for a snack break. I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Walking down the Rue Lepic, I arrived at the Angelina’s doors. As sat down, another familiar face walked in. Corina? Bonjour!! She was the tour guide for the last visit to France in 2019. Is this seat taken, she said. It’s all yours, I replied.
How are you doing?
I’m doing well she said. I’m back to leading tours on a part time basis. I have something to show you. She opens to a picture of her child.
Aww, she’s beautiful.
She was born three months after the tour you were a part of ended. We’re still living in Chamonix.
Congratulations on being a best selling author for Authentic. And I love your poetry books.
How did you know?! And thank you!
I found an instagram post with your photos from the trip. I found your posts about the book and bought myself a copy.
Ooh, our Mont Blanc’s have arrived. I pulled out my camera to take a photo of it before we start eating.
As the sun sets, I arrived at the Champ de Mars stop of the Metro. I’m taking a Bateau Mouches cruise down the Seine. And there’s not a cloud in the sky. As the boat passed the Pont d’le Alma, the sun set behind us. The same pink clouds that greeted the day appeared in the sky along with the shades of gray.
I had one last thing to do today, as I made my way off the RER at Chatlet-Les Halles.
I walked into O Château and found my friends Wendy & Tina sitting at the bar. After the hug, we walked down the stairs to the wine cellar.
And one by one, everyone else walked in. Cindy, Kristi, Heather, Ching, Kim, Sylvie, Jennifer, Kristina, Cathy, Jeni, Alissa, Lali, Stacy, Mona, Cheryl & Kelly. After we all sat down, the champagne was brought out. With one more familiar face from my 2012 trip, our sommelier, Charlotte.
As the dinner went on, I couldn’t keep the smile off of my face. After seeing everyone only on screen for the better part of a year, it was quite a sight to see them all in the same place. As the last course was done a chocolate lava cake and late bottle vintage port, Wendy and Tina had a gift for each of us, a gemstone for each of us in the color of our respective birthstones.
On the back an inscription, “I’m Ready To Do This!”
This day has been a gem exploring Paris, having the past meet with the present. On the Metro back to the hotel, I catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, shimmering in the night’s sky.
Before I close my eyes tonight, I see the boarding pass for my flight to Nice tomorrow morning from Aeroport Charles de Gaulle. J ’adore Paris!
The Cote d’Azur is on the horizon. Nissa La Bella awaits me!
