Final Entry (back in Paris)

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Hello Everyone,

I didn't think I would post another entry, but this past week in Paris has been rather eventful , so I'd just like to share it with you.

However, before I go into the "exciting" parts, just a quick description of the first few days: Arriving back in town was a bit hard. It was (and is) cold and grey , and, as usual when taking the RER from Charles De Gaulle airport (Roissy) into Paris, I noticed that everyone in the train was not only wearing dark, woolen colors but also a scowl on their face! Guatemala and people's smiles certainly seemed long ago and far away. Fortunately, my apartment was impeccably clean--my tenant, Kathleen, had taken very good care of it--so all I had to do was unpack and bring things up from the basement. My son Sébastien, who'd borrowed my car and my laptop computer while I was gone, dropped by to return them, and my son Eric, who was visiting from Portland, Oregon, came over for a few meals. The sun came out for a day or two, before going under again; then the thermometer dropped about 10 degrees.

The exciting events are the following: Eric's concert last Friday night, Sébastien's running in the Marathon of Paris on Sunday, and the disruptions over the Olympic torch on Monday. (see photos. Thank you, Aurelia!)

So, yes, despite the grey skies and the many sad-looking people, Paris is an exciting place to be. I miss the sun, life-style and people of Central America, but this is "home", and now I'm back!

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Photos

"Portland's French Troubadour" on stage
The venue was "La Scene", near the Bastille. About 130 people attended. Eric sang from his first album, "L'odysée", and also songs in French and English he is currently composing.

a close-up
I was really proud of him! To hear some of Eric's songs, see www.ericjohnkaiser.com

Duo with Louis
Louis is my son Marc's friend. He's a great guitarist. Eric invited him and his group to play first before he came on stage.

Son Sébastien running the Marathon
Seb is in the yellow jacket on the right. His friend Antoine is running next to him on the left.

The finish line
For those who know Paris, this is avenue Foch.

After the race
The proud medal-wearers. They set no records, but they were happy to have run the 42 kms. without mishap. Apparently, about 35,000 people participated.

Protests in Paris
I happened to be in a building along the Seine with a view of the calvacade. However, we never saw the torch because it had been extinguished and was inside a coach. But we did see athletes, French police, Chinese officials and accompaniers, and Tibetan and other demonstrators from our 2nd floor window.

Comments

[seb]

friends name
my friend's name is actually arnaud, not antoine. bises seb

[Sanchia Scott]

Eric and the Olympic torch
Hilary, I wish I could have been at Eric's concert. I have just received my copy of his CD, L'odysée, and am listening to it in the car as I drive the 1 1/2 hrs from the city to the holiday house - I am just loving it - he is so talented. I will be visiting Portland in late September so maybe I will get to see him on stage then. The demonstrations surrounding the Olympic torch are very much in the forefront of our news as our new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is visiting China at the moment and creating waves by making comments on the lack of human rights for the Tibetan people. Looking forward to seeing you in Paris in early September.

[Ej]

BRAVO
Bravo for this wonderful blog !!! We indeed had a great weekend !!! It was so fun to play back in Paris and to see seb run the Marathon. Take care and see you soon. Ej

[Michal Commanday]

Thanks for including me on your travels
Hilary, I enjoyed reading of your adventures and comments on places in Central America that we too enjoy! Please stay in touch and let me know if you will visit the SF Bay Area again. Perhaps you can stay with us or house-sit while we're traveling. Warm regards and bon retour! Michal P.S. My dear cousin, Karen Commanday and her husband, Jean Francois live just outside Paris in Tessancourt sur Aubette. She'd love to meet you and I think you'll enjoy them both-- Here's Karen's email if you want to get in touch: [e-mail]