….. A concert last night celebrating the seasons in a magnificent stained glass cathedral erected nearly 800 years ago by a pious French monarch to house the Crown of Thorns …….
It all seems the stuff of fairy tales but it was amazing! The rich string music of Vivaldi, Albinoni and Pachelbel resounded with clarity as the sun streamed through the deep blues and reds of the arching stained glass windows. It was a packed house and almost everyone dressed for the special occasion. All shared a sense of awe as the music filled the small but soaring cathedral. The string ensemble was accomplished, particularly the lead violinist, and the acoustics were tremendous.
(I was able to record a few video clips of the concert and when I return home I hope to make one of my Shutterfly video/audio montages and will share it with you. )
Earlier in the day — was it only yesterday ? — I found myself meandering in the direction of the Luxembourg gardens and spent several hours soaking up the sun and ambiance of that amazing place as well … I know I am overusing the word “amazing” but the English language seems limited in adept superlatives. It was a beautiful sunny day and although the park was packed with people, it seemed serene rather than frenetic. I didn’t have my camera with me, as I hadn’t planned on going to the Luxembourg when I left home, so I have no pictures to share. But then as Gauguin said, “I close my eyes in order to see”.
So in your mind’s eye, see the lush green of early spring, the lawns and terraces and statuary. Watch the wind ripple the pool in the middle of the park where children are sailing their wooden boats, using long poles to launch them out into the middle, then running around the pool to retrieve their boat when it finally “docks”. (I never before really understood how it worked..)
It was such a relaxing afternoon spent there. Everywhere are matte green metal chairs which seem to be in ample supply to accommodate anyone who wants to sit for a while. Many — couples, families, solos — have their baguettes and cheese and fruit, wine of course, and are celebrating the day and the venue and each other.
And I thought after the sun illuminated Notre Dame yesterday, it couldn’t get any better … well it did and I felt overwhelmed and humbled and happy …
Today was un jour ordinaire (did I get that right?) trying to rest some, clean my meager apartment and make it more habitable for the next few weeks, do some grocery shopping (do you know how heavy water and wine bottles are along with other staples, when you have to carry them forever ?) and enjoy some of the sunshine in the process. But then tonight Paris decided to rain on my parade for the second time since my arrival. I thought after dinner I would walk along the Seine beyond Notre Dame and out of no where the heavens opened with a deluge. I happened to be caught in a large crowd of Japanese tourists and we all huddled under any awning we could find. (I’ve noticed that the Japanese seem to always do their walking tours at night. I guess they know it’s less crowded, but they travel in very large groups.) I tried to take a short cut home and for the first time got lost and took forever to get home by which point I was soaked.
So I have resolved to carry my umbrella everywhere !
Bon soir mon amis … it was good to talk ….