Friday, October 28, 2011

Big Update - Lots to See




Huge Paris Update for YOU!

It’s been a while since my last entry but now I have many photos to share and some comments, too!

Since the last entry I have happily finished my last chemotherapy treatment  YAAAYYY!!!! and am doing fine and certainly enjoying being in Paris. I cannot say enough good things about the French healthcare system, even from the point of view of an “outsider” and one who must pay completely out-of-pocket. I must also add that I cannot say enough good things about the French people I have met and the people I consider my friends here. I have experienced nothing but kindness, generosity and such support that had made this sometimes challenging journey, actually enjoyable.


Heartman is happy, too!

And he is READY to out adventuring again!


What has brought me here is a shortage of the critical drugDoxil (marketed as Caelyx in Europe and Canada) that is the best treatment,  with less severe side-effects, for my particular situation. We have a serious drug shortage in the U.S. that is leaving people without the lifesaving drugs they need for various cancers, particularly ovarian cancer, cures for some childhood cancers, and many others as well as anesthesia drugs and drugs to treat many chronic diseases that people can live with, if given the treatments….even Tylenol and Benedryl!

I am so very fortunate to have found a way to get the care that I needed here in Paris.

So, what has been happening besides the medical stuff?

EYE CANDY!

I have been a very good girl and mostly only LOOK at these! Oh that is torture!
But pure visual pleasure at the Lanôtre windows...............................and the treats at La Durée

La Nôtre                            Check out the real GOLD LEAF on the strawberry tips.
                           
La Durée - one wonderful source of the artistic sweets


 Mont Blanc - chestnut dreams 


BUT, I  have to admit that I did indulge with an Angelina hot chocolate! OMG!!!










                                         

  Oh, and one other time, the “Paris Brest”


                                    

                    
But these were eye candy for me only..les macarons!     


LIVING HERE

Mid-September I moved into my friend, Inda’s apartment in another part of Paris from my own. Inda is in New Zealand now and generously offered me the use of her apartment while I got chemo treatments and to stay on a little longer to enjoy Paris. This neighborhood is lively, diverse and very convenient to everything one needs; grocery stores, pharmacies, boulangeries, Métro stops and bus.Oh, and there is a Vélib station just outside the door. More about that later.

A Heartman is beside himself with this wonderful sounding piano! I can hardly keep him away so I can play. I do like his periods of silence he puts into his music though. Inda, he is amazed that he is actually in YOUR apartment!

I, too am enjoying the piano with the beautiful sound in the living room. It gives me the illusion that I can play, even though I am only improvising…and missing notes and getting the timing all wrong. It is enjoyable nonetheless! You can hear some of my "noodlings" at my YouTube site - http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?feature=mhee

The apartment is beautiful with lots of light, high ceilings, these lovely hardwood floors and Inda has it sparsely furnished so there is this feeling of spaciousness.














And the views...

The views from apartment.  I admit I have cropped this photo of Sacre Coeur but it is a pleasant sight.
And one night, when I hear this boom, I looked out and saw this! Fireworks, in celebration of le vendage, the grape harvest in Montmartre!





And out the front window, across the Avenue Parmentier…..




Views out the kitchen window into the interior courtyard.





               

THE METRO
Clean. Safe. Convenient. Inexpensive.
SEATS! Each station has its own complete design. Here are a few of the seats that I sat on.





OK, this one is a bus seat. Buses are pleasant and you can see the city while you are traveling, but they can be slow, especially at rush hours it can take forever to reach your destination.
                                                     

.
This beauty, all lined with copper, is Arts et Metiers, one that I use a lot.


                      


Métro Info:
Historiic info,
Don’t smoke,
Emergency button?
Hold on to your ticket.
This Line Number 9.
Information, etc., etc.
              
Oh, and a place for your cigarette butts. I wish there were more of these on the streets!
              
                                And love is still alive on the métro!!

GOING TO PARC FLORAL will be part of the NEXT installment of Paris Impressions... stay tuned. It's coming soon.

Happy Fall,

Wendy



Monday, September 5, 2011

In Paris and Roaming

There has been some roaming and wanderings going on here. All good. But before we go out, Heartman reminds me about the trash and recycling that goes out for pick up. The streets get washed every day too, but we don't get up that early to show you the "green men" working.



With Navigo pass in hand, unlimited use on metro, bus, and train, there's no problem getting around and enjoying the sights. So, come with me to see some of what I have seen thus far...and let me know what you want to see next! I'm game for finding it here for you!

The Paris parks are always inviting. They are very much in use by people of all ages, every day of
the week and for all different

kinds of activities...walking, running (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSupv5hV_R0), "scootering" or just strolling among the flowers.




Entrance to Parc Monceau, near my apartment.
Fancy gate, eh?






What ARE these f lowers? What IS she doing??

Parents get a chance to rest in the shade ...




....while the little ones run and climb on the climbing equipment. And they DO run and climb, a lot, more that I see in the U.S.!




Here below, it is the nanny's who get to socialize while the little ones run, kick the ball, and ride their little scooters. It seems that as soon as a little one can walk, the are experts on their scooters!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzT2lJGm6UQ



Beyond the parks, it's off to the streets where the greenery and flowers are still very much in view.



















Rue Cler is a long pedestrian street lines with oodles of specialty shops and open markets.





I search for the organic, or "bio" goodies.

Voila!






All creature great and small love "bio"!











So, fruit in hand, off to Champs de Mars, the park by the Eiffel Tower.



It is a hot hot day, so a good one to be in the shade.

He is cool in his own way ...















... and I'm way cool doing a little watercolor painting, in the shade, too.






So, now it is time to work my way back home, but first...a cool drink.

My refreshing fav is a "citron", a glass of fresh squeezed lemon juice on ice, accompanied by a carafe of cold water. Just a little sugar added does the trick.

And when sitting, resting, cooling, at a cafe, you can take all the time in the world to drink, rest, talk, write, and take photos of the cafe across the street!



or the one behind...


or these people resting, too.












How do these people know it is cool to hang out here? Everytime I walk by this cafe during the after work hours, it is absolutely jammed with people who stand very close, take up every table, and drink and talk. No loud music here, just lively conversation, kisses on the cheeks, and laughter. It is so contagious, many passersby stand across the corner to watch.


And then there are the more
pensive cafe visitors..
















But rested or not, pensive or not, it's time to go home now, 'cause I've got a dinner date with dear friends tonight!

Fortunately, my metro Périre stop is just around the corner from my place.













I'm fortunate to have an elevator in my building!

Granted, it fits only one person
and perhps a package,

but, hey, if you start here..



and have to go here,

















and your feet hurt,

it is REALLY nice to have an elevator
to take you to here.




À bientôt,

Wendy













Wendy (& Heartman)