Well I always say, "You can't be too rich or too thin, OR have too many books about Paris! Just when I think I have enough already, the guys at Amazon.com send me these friendly little emails telling me they have handpicked a few more that I won't be able to live without. So here they are in my office all stacked up in the morning sun begging to read and poured over for my trip next month. Sometimes I think one of the best things about a trip is the anticipation and the planning of it all. It's 40 days and counting, and I'm starting to realize I really am going back to Paris! Peter, Alice and Marie, we can hardly wait to experience Paris with you! For now, so many books, so little time.
The Tune du Jour is for my friend Mary who is mad about Paris as well. Wish you were goingwith us. Next time mon amie! "La Vie en Rose" by Patrick Saussois & Richie Cole. A very French song with a decidely American kick. Do I hear a fiddle???
42 comments:
I have had a copy of Paris par Arrondissement in my bookcase for many years. I also have The Flâneur by Edmund White but have not got around to reading it yet.
Not a week goes by that I don't hem and haw about booking a trip to Paris and London but have yet to bite the 'financial' bullet.
Virginia, Hmmm now tonight I am having trouble with the music. Wasn't playing - then I've gotten a few bars a few times. Oh well I'll try again later. Oh my, you'll have a wonderful time. We haven't been there in years now. It's such a beautiful city. You'll love it even more this time. If you're interested in buying copper cookware or any other type of French cookware I can "give you a place" - oh, but you probably have friends there who can help with that too don't you?
tu comptes les jours pour Paris, je compte les jours pour New York (pour noël). Cela va être superbe pour toi, j'espere que quand tu rencontreras Cergie and Peter, je pourrais être présent (si mon travail m'en laisse le temps).
Belle photo.
you counting the days for Paris, I count the days for New York (for Christmas). It will be great for you, I hope that when you meet Cerge and Peter, I could be present (if my job allows me the time).
Nice picture.
You're right about much of the joy being in the anticipation and planning. My wife and I are headed to the North American Paris next week and we are awash with eager anticipation!
Some good travel guides, yes, but a good pair of shoes is also necessary to stroll, the nose in the air, along the streets without knowing where you go...!
Today, I could have translated in "all life long, a whole life".
These are a few of my favorite things also - books/Paris/books on Paris...looks like you have some treasures there. My favorite "picture" book of Paris is "Paris: BeauxArts", an extremely well done book for tourists. (I got it there in '89 - where did the time go???) Just flipping thru it now, makes me excited about YOUR trip...Pretty funny.
And what a beautiful photo, Virginia! How long will you be gone?
Excuse me! Are all the cdp bloggers abondoning me in search of Paris. I am weeping as I type. Room for a little one the suitcase?
I could not survive without Amazon and charity shops for books here. I love the preperation for a trip, especially a french one. Will you see Eric and be a subject of a daily photo? Now I must go a photograph boring items or I won't get paid and I'll bever get back to France.
I love the way the sun is shining on the books.
I'm not a good trip planner, my husband takes care of all those details. I just pack and go along :) Sounds like a heavenly trip!
Oh la la! Paris. You'll have to send me a postcard!
Sounds like you're getting excited about your trip. I'll bet Paris is lovely in November, esp. with fewer tourists.
Sounds heavenly, Virginia books and Paris. I'll look forward to sharing your trip vicariously.
I must confess my computer's pretty well fixed but I have no photos to share as yet...
You are absolutely right, Virginia! As I love travelling and allways go on my own (anti-tourism packages here!), 'the party' begins the minute I start researching, planning and scheduling things!
Your previous photo is awesome! The little fellow is SO cute!!! :-)
The planning is half the fun of the trip. This photo reminds me of the bookstore on Rue Bosquet where I bought my Paris Pratique. That little gem is gold for a newbie to navigate through the Metro. I must say, I miss riding the Metro system.
I too am waiting in anticipation for your Parisian photos. I do hope you come home wth some shots of the boulangeries. Miss their baguettes.
Well you all have certainly heightened my anticipation. We will be gone 7 days. Not nearly long enough I know, but being able to go back is such a dream come true, I can't even express it! THe little blue vinatage book was a retirement gift from daughter Melissa. It has wonderful old maps in the back. If I don't get that French phrase book out more no telling where we'll end up. Thank goodness my CDP friends who have been so helpful already.
Alice, oh it's ALL about the shoes believe me. The quest for the most comfortable yet nice looking shoes continues. And you are right. Wandering the streets of Paris is when you discover the most wonderful things. Olivier, we would love to see you while we're there as well!
As for Eric, I doubt seriously if he has time for moi but that would surely be fun.
I told Peter that one of two things could happen. 1. We get lost en route and end up in who knows where or 2. We get lost in Paris and never get home. I am trying to figure out how to make #2 work! HA
And about the photographs. There will be MANY. Be prepared!
Good morning Virginia!
I love the enlargement of this, especially the title:
"French or Foe?"
I just had to laugh.
As for shoes may I recommend Merrills. They are not tres elegante but I wear them when I travel and my feet are never tired. I wear slip ons and I love them.
I can't wait to see your new POV of Paris! The series on your photography website are amazing.
Well, have a wonderful trip! I have lived in Italy for 19 years, but have never made it to Paris...
beautiful city Paris...
I stupendous light on your photo...
Love the light glancing off the books...the anticipation of a trip such as this is almost as nice as the trip itself. I just love that feeling of excitement! I am happy for you!
PJ<
French or Foe is a must read for Americans going to France for the first time. You can see how beat up it is. We've lent it to everyone. It's funny but is very informational and made our first trip just delightful. It dispels a lot of myths about the French. I try very hard not be an "Ugly American" My French is far from good, but at least I try as Alice says!
You are right, Merrills are great travel shoes.
Ah, you've already done your perfect November theme post :)
North American Paris = Montreal :)
Virginia, I'm a book addict too. These look great! Several years ago my mom gave me a great antique book on Paris. ALl of the pictures were taken in the 1920s -- gorgeous black and white stuff a la Brassai. If you saw it in my bookshelf, no doubt you'd grab it.
For me, the best part of the trip is in the planning and research! I drive my family crazy w/ lists and itineraries (w/ plenty of time for spontaniety!).
My 14-year old daughter & I had the opportunity to visit Rome, Paris & London this summer. We had the most wonderful time in Paris and were thrilled with how friendly, outgoing and helpful Parisian's were toward us. Paris was truly the highlight of our trip.
Can't wait to see your pictures! Have a wonderful, safe trip!
Edmund White's "The Flâneur!" That's a wonderful, special book. I'll try "French or Foe" before my next trip. This is a beautiful photo, Virginia. I love the lighting, shadows, foreground and background. Professional.
Merci pour le "shout-out" ma petite!
How I wish that I could join you on your itin this time. You will be in good hands with Barbara PJ (www.paristalks.com) she took me all over Montmartre on my last trip. Go to Lauree on rue Bonaparte for tea-time and think of MOI!
xx,
Mary
aka MadAboutParis on www.VT.com
Mar,
We will drink a toast to you each night (and day!)
Petrea,
May I also suggest Meredith Mullins' book "In a Paris Moment" and Cartier-Bresson's Paris photos. Both are excellent street portrait books. Of course C-B's is the most famous.
Angela, Hit the streets! We need more photos from your neck of the woods!
Hi Miss V! I'm so glad to have met such a delightful bookworm! I think that you'll be showing me Paris and not the other way around by the looks of it:)
I am jealous! I miss Paris alot. What arrondisement are you staying in?
Have a baguette for me. :)
Bientôt, on pourra dire : Bienvenue à Paris Viginia !
There is nothing better than reading up on a city before a visit to whet the appetite! I did it like an obsessive before I visited New York, and it made me really appreciate the places I visited and the streets I walked. Enjoy :)
Virginia thanks for the nice comments on my blog. I like the light on these books. Nothing like the rays of the sun. Never been to Paris so gotta settle for the rays!
You're a sweetheart, goofy or not!
Can I run away from home and go to Paris with you, please, please pretty please?
So do you plan to blog about your trip every day when you are there?
Ming, I will be lucky not to be lost in the bowels of the Metro. Maybe I can email my children and tell them I am still alive and .....not coming home! :) The odds of blogging are slim. Our only hope is Peter. He might be able to let you all know some tidbit . You will have to sweet talk him into anything more. I am too grateful for all of his help and expertise to push my luck! Come on! We would love to have you along for the ride!
I still have my little Paris par Arrondissement issued by Brentano's bookstore Avenue de l'Opera. The book dates from the early '70s and is still reasonably current for streets, but bus lines have changed some, as have the metro ones, as I found out when I ended up on a bus going to Courbevoie. I've just gone through my bookshelves and given away some books, but then there was a book sale I went to.... You'll now have material for the November Theme Day of "Books"!
Hey! See that you have Polly Platt's Savoir Flaire! She's a friend of mine, and was also married to a Serb! Le monde est vraiment petit.
hey V i don't want you to go!
how long are you gone for (and judging by what you said above, how long will i have to live without your blogging masterpiece)?
this photo is the definition of timeless gorgeousness, no other way to put it. the books themselves are interesting and imperfectly but prettily stacked but the rays of light struggling through the blinds make it uber-special, like something snapped straight from a 50s motion picture.
sorry for being out of touch for so long; i am in awe and deep appreciation that you take the time to leave a comment every day on my page especially when it's your photos that deserve ALL THE PRAISE!
Burd.
"Louis" agrees with you 100% (as you well know) about Paris!
Virginia, I got excited when I read that you're going to Paris. The preparation before the trip does add to the anticipation doesn't it? =)
Lyra
Needs it to love books to photograph them so attractive
Bag is packed and ready to go.
Happy to see how well you are preparing yourself! ... and of course especially happy to be able to meet you - and obvioulsy also some friends who would like to join!
Peter, well read but sadly my French is so limited. I am sure you will get many a chuckle ( or a cringe) over my struggle to speak your beautiful language...with a southern accent no less! 34 days!!!!
Post a Comment