Day 2 of Paris

We slept the sleep of the dead (almost, not quite) last night as the long time on the plane had exhausted us both.

I had had a luxurious bath before retiring last night, something I don't do very often nowadays. I read a little then slept a lot.

Mind, I was a bit disoriented when awakening as the sounds (water fountain and people laughing) are not the normal sounds I listen to first thing in the morning as a rule. Usually it's birds and motor mowers.

It actually sounded like a beach initially, but then I realised where I was, so I got up and watched the sun spill into the square where we are, and watched five separate plane trails, all there at the same time in the sky above as people walked their dogs....(le petite chien) and workers bustled on their way to travail close by.

Eventually we both awoke, showered, and dressed for a big day out then went down in the lift for 'le petit dejeuner' provided on the ground floor.

I have realised I am a little hesitant in using my scanty french for fear parisiennes will laugh at me. It's a big inferiority complex I have and I will have to swallow it.

Mind, last night in my wanders on my own, I came across a yummy boulangerie that advertised the best baguettes in Paris and spoke to the woman behind the counter in broken french and.....she understood me!!!!!!!

Today as we were walking the streets along the Seine (more about that later) I said "Bonjour" to a gentleman who could see we were tourists and he commented on my 'lovely french accent" so I should be happy with myself.

Anyhow, I digress. Following breakfast, we ventured out into the world and decided after much discussion that we would see how we went walking to The Eiffel Tower.

It was actually a wonderful stroll and we came across many sights one does not normally see in Melbourne. The architecture is amazingly beautiful, possibly because we are used to more contemporary buildings back home. We crossed bridges back and forth to see this city at large and came across Pont Neuf, reknown for all the padlocks placed there by lovers and the like from all over the world.

We came across gypsies, quite distinct because of their skin colouring who wanted to trick us with their golden ring on the ground trick. Fortunately I had seen one woman do it in front of Murray....pick the ring up off the ground that is, so when the second woman did the same, we were 'en guard'!

They pretend someone has dropped a ring then pick it up in front of you and claim they have just found it. This first woman asked Murray if it was gold then asked him for money for a sandwich... all in the same sentence. They then offer you the ring and if you accept and take the ring then chase after you for money! We were onto their scam fortunately and knew just to ignore after the first encounter.

There are so many tourists like us on the walk to the Eiffel Tower. So many with their cameras, talking selfies with Go Pro cameras and extended sticks. Kind of detracts from the beauties of the sights when you see so many doing the 'lip pout in front of Eiffel Tower' pose.

The Seine is a gently lapping wide river. Many tourist boats travel up and down as do occasional cargo boats, we even saw one boat transporting a car, tyres and tubs of probable oil as well.

There are also many people doing it tough it seems, sleeping on the pavements, begging and generally down and out. I suppose this is their life and perhaps they are happy in a sense. It is not for me to ask, judge or criticise. Occasionally you will come across someone begging but we have not been hassled when we refuse. They just turn onto the next person and ask for money again and again.

There are so many beautiful people here also. I now understand what I have read about the women of Paris. They really are magnificent in their dress. There is very little obesity from what I can see out in the streets and most of the women are extremely well turned out in their clothing, footwear and hair styles.

I feel quite dowdy in comparison.

Anyway, we walked and walked, calling into a pharmacy to purchase some Nurofen on the way for my sore back and then all of a sudden we were there at Le Tour Eiffel as were thousands of others.

This was supposedly a quiet day as the kids are back at school the world over but we still had a wait to purchase tickets for about 1/2 an hour, then a wait to go up the lift, plus a wait to go to the toilet on the second floor, then a wait to go right up to the top, then a wait to come down to the second foor again, then a wait once more to go down to the ground, but, boy was it worth it.

Too bad we chose our own pathway and didn't purchase tickets prior to the event but you live and learn and we know that tomorrow we will buy in advance!

For those that have not been to the Eiffel Tower, it is a mammoth structure and can be seen from all parts of Paris, standing in the sky waiting for its tourists to arrive each day. Fortunately, the sign people create notices in multiple languages telling us the costs to climb aboard (30 euro each to get to the top) . You have the option of lifts and or stairs and so, up we went the quickest of ways to the second floor. We took numerous photos and it was here that I realised that the battery on my camera which I had not charged since purchase had not been fully charged and after 10 photos or so, told me it was exhausted and consequently could not take any further photos.

All I can say to that is thank god for smart phones!!!!

We bought a bite to eat on this second floor (a baguette for Murray, a toasted ham and cheese sandwich for me), then joined the queue to go up to the top. The views from up there were fantastic and we are so happy with what we did and saw but just a bit more disappointed we didn't have a functioning battery in my camera to take more photos with.

 In our travels today we chatted with a male couple from Canada (outside a shop close to our apartment, that has stuffed rats in the window), who told us we each had different accents, a brother and sister from Qld (in the queue for Eiffel tickets on the ground), and a young couple from Norway (in the queue to go up to the top of the tower). We are all visitors from other worlds and have a united excitement about being here in the City for Lovers.

We eventually descended to the ground and were besieged by men wanted get to sell us artifacts that were not strictly legitimate. In fact, there are signs posted that ask you not to purchase from the street sellers. There are signs as you enter the lifts to beware of pickpockets and everywhere people urge you to be cautious for there are people who will do you harm if you allow them.

When we returned to the earth we then decided to try out the On-Off Bus and we were pleasantly surprised with our lesson on Parisienne history and architecture. We listened to tales about Napoleon, Marie Antoinette and Rodin (I even saw 'The Thinker's backside) plus the building of some rather amazing man-made creations. The buildings are beautiful and there are so many iconic places here....as well as Monsieur Eiffel's tower....... the Champs Élysées which beckons us tomorrow, Notre Dame Cathedral, Le Louvre....and so on and so on. We know an early start is in order as there is only one and a half days before we board the boat and even though there is an unspoken promise of returning here some other time already, we want to see as much as we can this time around.

Back into our neighbourhood we go, on the bus, then disembark at Stop No. 5 and as we get off there are police cars with their sirens blaring, rushing past in quick succession.

We stopped at a cafe for coffee, lemon tea and cake, then we are back at The Citadines before we know it.

Already we are becoming street savvy in this cosmopolitan neighbourhood and I love it!!!!!!

A short respite tonight to recharge the batteries (I am talking human bodies here as well as the other kind) and out we go again to stroll around the local community prior to la grande déjeuner. I watched Midnight In Paris a couple of years ago and wasn't overly impressed with the movie but now I think I will watch it again when I return home to Melbourne, for the streets take on an ambience of their own when the sun disappears at the end of the day and the lights return to bathe the cobblestones in a completely different hue.

We walked a few blocks feeling more and more confident of our bearings then found a quiet little café which was well frequented where we ate. Murray's choice this time was a César Salad, whereas I had a cheese, aubergine, artichoke and capsicum pizza which was delicious. It was all washed down with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon too which was yummy as well.

Soon enough it is time to return to our temporary abode and bed beckons us in preparation for yet another busy day tomorrow.

Bon Chance mes armies.

Au bientôt tout suite.

 

Day One of the journey of a life time.

We got to the airport last night around 7 pm. after a day full of preparing for the trip as well as ensuring the house was left clean and tidy for our wonderful 'in residence' house sitter Barb.

I am sure S&N will be extremely well taken care of in our absence. There will be no need for them to miss us, of that I am certain.

It certainly will be interesting to see what they'll be like personality wise on our return.

We had them groomed the day before our departure so they were smelling beautiful and all light and fluffy for indoors adventures.

We are so very impressed with the dog groomer Shaz, we have rebooked for just after our return.

I do think the dogs will like it also.

Many thanks go to Lizzie for recommending her for more than one reason.

We are currently flying over Iran I believe and will soon hit the skies of Turkey before we reach Europe.

It was a balmy 26 degrees this morning when we stepped out of the plane in Dubai and I had to pinch myself as it was just like disembarking in Thailand or Vietnam.

 We only had a brief exposure to the elements in Dubai airport as our stop over was 21/2 hours there. Being so very tired after a long flight from Melbourne, it was a little difficult to grasp the enormity of where we were, let alone summon much interest in the gaudy shops as we whisked by on buses and trains looking for where we had to wait again for our next plane.

A quick drink of water for Murray and a glass of freshly made lemonade pour moi ($11 later) and we were ready to wait again for this next leg.

Our flight over was relatively uneventful.

We were a bit disappointed early in the piece as our initial seat allocation had been changed. We were to have had 'front row' seats but through the course of time they had been changed to hemmed in seats, but all in all, the seats weren't too uncomfortable. One was an aisle seat for me so we really could not complain. The guy next door to Murray was either snoring or sneezing all through the night which was a little disconcerting but you put up with what you have to I suppose. The little pillows came in handy!!! The flight between Dubai and Paris has Murray sitting in an aisle seat and I am next to him in a row of four which is a good thing as this means no strangers are having to clamber over us, added to which the seat next door to me is empty so we can spread out a bit.

Meals were delicious.... I don't know what the fuss is about airline food as it was all delicious (we must have been hungry) and served at the appropriate time.

I had a bit of a Susan Sarandon fest (one of my most favourite of actors) out of Melbourne. I watched a movie about serial murders that turned out to be mercy killings in which she played a policeman,  then another movie which actually was very well done, titled "Tammy" featuring Melissa McCarthy and the above S.S. Quite a hoot as it turned out and I had a bit of a laugh which was what it's all about.

This leg of the flights is seeing me watch Series 4 of Downton Abbey....am up to No. 2 as I am writing out of a possible 6, so what I miss out on this trip I will catch up on, on our way home.

The bonus of the flight is that Murray has made a pledge that next time we will fly either business class or first class if only for the pleasure.

So this ends the first writings of the trip.

To be continued fine folk!

Born on the 5th. of July.

Well the day is here and I am sitting contemplating life with a cuppa before the joyous madness and mayhem begins with family and friends arriving in a couple of hours.

I ask myself the age old question of " What's it like to be 60?".

My reply is really that it's no different to any other age actually.

I believe in the here and now and as I was approaching this ripe old age, I wondered if I should be apprehensive or frightened or wanting to stop the clock, but actually I am no different to the Jen of yesterday nor am I different to the Jen of tomorrow so I will take each day as it comes (like I have a choice!) and will just Let It Be.....

Experiencing life is immediate.

We have memories made up of our past, be it 20 years ago or 5 minutes just prior but as soon as you step into the realm of the future what you are now experiencing becomes memories with some remnants fleeting, triggered by sounds and smells, others so firmly entrenched in your mind that it is with you for all time.

If you have held a baby, smelt a baby or even had the pleasure of having a baby smile at you for the very first time, especially as a parent, those memories will hopefully stay with you for a very long time.

Some memories we choose to discard if they are unpleasant whereas other memories which might be sad or regretful we hang onto for we don't want to lose the thought of the person or animal that stirs their evoking.

It is all good, and is even better if we can close our minds to the not good experiences and instead focus on the thoughts we want to retain.

Too bad our brains don't have a filter we can manually stimulate when we want it to.

Perhaps in 100 years we may very well have something we can take to create past experiences but, I won't be around to test it out that's for sure.

So, getting back to me and my life, right here, right now.

My mother gave birth to me on this day 60 years ago.

My life has been full of highs,with a few lows thrown in just to balance it all out.

My children have definitely been THE highlight, and for them I have my husband to thank.

My family is a highlight, unique in its own boundaries which I am ever so grateful for. There are many things of course I would change if I had been able when it comes to my family, but, that was all out of our hands and so, outcomes, be what they were are are and will be, remain with me always.

I miss my boy especially at such times like these, I too miss my girl as she is adventuring on the other side of the world right now, but my own here and now continues with them here in spirit and in my mind and for that too I am grateful.

So the day will go on into the night and I will have little time to reminisce so, I will take this brief moment to thank every person , yes EVERY person, who reads this for being in my life somehow, some way.

We may know each other very well, we may know each other fleetingly, or, we may have never met at this point, but, you have shared a part of me, and for that I am thankful.

The day for Mothers

I recall a morning many many years ago when my two children were still little, well, still in primary school at least.

I was working permanent night shifts back then and from memory had had a fairly arduous night and was pretty bushed when I arrived home one Sunday morning which also happened to be that year's Mother's Day.

As I walked in the front door I was greeted by two very excited children and was made to close my eyes as I walked into the family room, being led by their hands.

The kitchen table was bestowed with rose petals. There was a bunch of chrysanthemums in the centre of the table and in glitter, they had written the words "We love you Mum".

It took me ages to vacuum up the glitter afterwards but I didn't mind for it was a physical reminder of their love for a cranky Mum who's main thought when coming home was to get to bed and to sleep.

How I miss those days of chatter and laughter and tears, snotty noses and kisses.

I miss the boy who would not let me remove a bandaid which was protecting a tiny scratch, but at other times was so brave and fearless when undergoing myriads of tests and investigations.

I miss the little girl who would tip her head upside down so I could braid her beautiful long golden locks from the bottom up. One regret was that I could never teach my children the fine art of massage. They were willing recipients indeed but they had their Mum over as barrel when it came to such tactile contact and I was always easily swayed.

I miss the up cuddles and the snuggleupagus kids, and I miss their songs... The ones we sang that were theirs and theirs only.

This is the legacy of a Mum....

The memories and the wanting it all back again so you could do a much better job second time round, but, alas, we don't get that chance again.

So, to all those Mums out there with children of all ages, especially the young, make the most of that fierce heart wrenching love you have for your children now. It will be with you always as you reflect but, when your children are elsewhere, or are no longer here on this planet, that love causes pain and some regret.

17th. April.

Just because the day is just another day.

Another 24 hours, since I heard your voice, watched you smile, felt your touch, smelt your smell.

Eleven years to this particular day, the Thursday before Easter to when we said a silent definitive farewell my boy.

How I miss you so at such times. The pain I feel is still fresh within me as I recall your voice.

If only it were tangible and you were here.

364.... No, 363 days of the year the memory dims a little, but this anniversary date brings you back to me again and I relish your memory.

I know those closest to me feel this sadness and share in my memories of you also and I thank those friends that recall you and loved you also.

The day IS just another day. The sun is shining, the magpies are warbling outside, I have a dentist to visit shortly, then work this afternoon.

Life continues along it's random path, but you are a constant thought.

Love you my boy...

Mum.

Australia Day view

Today, watching the news there has been a lot said about Australia Day. There was the 100 year old woman from Iraq, Quentin Bryce, and various well known identities who spoke about what significance Australia Day had for them.

There is awarding to sports heroes, doctors and cooking greats, not to mention actors, singers and businessmen who have been acknowledged for their achievements as well.

My observation of these awards made me question to myself why the ordinary person who works hard but is not in the public highlight is not recognised for their own greatness.

It is sad indeed that there are many who work above and beyond the call of duty to make everyday changes to others lives (for the better) and are not announced as important people also.

I listened to Quentin Bryce's address to the nation whith an ethereal Uluru in the background.

I so admire this woman who manages to embrace indigenous Australians as well as those who have chosen Australia as their second home, as well as those that have been born here.

We all have our own identity regardless of our background and while people say they are dismayed by the celebration on 26th. January, we need to have a day in which we can all reflect on our lives, and give thanks to the environment we live in.

For me, Australia Day is not about the First Fleet, nor is it about Captain Cook or the annihilation of the real first people who lived here before any others. This day gives me opportunity to reflect on how fortunate I am to be living in a world without wars. I am fortunate indeed to be living in my own home with my own things surrounding me and I have the opportunity to communicate with others from all walks of life because of the jobs I do. 

This may sound pretentious, but as a child, I always felt fortunate that I was not a child from a third world country who did not have my opportunities. (Mind, that didn't make me eat my vegetables anymore than I had to)! As a grown-up I have remembered those thoughts and have an understanding that we should encourage people from all over the world to live here if they so wish.

Why should I be privileged when others are not.

I am sitting here, and soon I will prepare for work where I will go and care for those that have done their very best to increase our population one by one.

Think about today and give thanks for being alive rather than negate the wonders of the world we experience every day.

Namaste!

Christmas Eve in just a day!

This is certainly not to dampen anyone's happiness so close to Christmas, but, I find myself very close to tears come this time of the year.

There is a lot of happiness around and a certain feeling of accomplishment once the presents are bought and wrapped and placed under the tree but there is always someone missing, so there is always a feeling of incompleteness as we get closer and closer to Christmas day 

I know I am not the only person in the world who has lost someone they have loved dearly. I certainly don't have to look very far to realise that and my resigned sadness is not what this post is all about either.

We all tend to over extend ourselves when it comes to Christmas...... well, at least most of us do. I only had to look around me today in the city at people rushing every which way, waiting in queues, trying to decide what to purchase for others, listening to buskers and offering donations to their music and singing in between battling more queues and more people. There were crying babies, harassed mothers and fathers and children who clearly had had enough of the day into town. There were also excited little girls in prams whose eyes lit up at the sight of Father Christmas in the Bourke Street Mall, and people sitting at tables in the streets, relishing their coffee and tea. There was even a sparrow who paid me a visit in Myer on the first floor can you believe, where I had a coffee and a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, by the escalators. He actually flew into my hair for some reason (must have thought it was a nest) but flew out again quick smart. I didn't mind though for there was more warmth in his observation of me than with others in the city.

It's amazing how there is such little eye contact with others as you walk in the alleyways and in the streets. Even on the train as I travelled into town it was eyes down as soon as you sat down as the travelling time was a time to become transfixed by mobile phones. I deliberately put my phone away and watched as others would hop on, sit down and stare at their screens the whole time until it was time to disembark. Even mothers with little children pulled out their phones and were engaged with what was on their screens rather than talk to their children about their day's expectations.

As we got closer to the city I sighted the new addition to the Docklands...the Ferris wheel that's had a faulty start in the past but began its new rotational life today.

I took a couple of photos with my trusty camera of the wheel and clearly annoyed the woman sitting opposite me who had sat looking into her magic phone the whole time until I bought my camera out. Her look of disgust was something to behold, but, as this was MY day in town I chose to ignore her and continue with my photographic observations of the city until it was time for me to disembark.

Getting off the train at Southern Cross Station and walking up Collins Street was an adventure in itself as I hadn't thought to bring an umbrella and, yes, you guessed it, of all days in the year, today had to be a rainy one.

Consequently, my 10:30 appointment saw me very damp and frizzy but, that did not deter me from sorting out something that has always had me confused. Now I think and hope I understand about something that will have a major impact in our lives in the future thanks to my appointment today.

Once that was done and dusted a quick tram ride saw me into the hustle and bustle I mentioned earlier and it was a joy to revisit those alleyways and little side streets that had become so familiar to me when I was younger and working close to the city.

Prior to nursing, I worked in a bank for a year in Flemington which is on the outskirts of the central part of the city. I would often catch a tram into town way back then and wander those beloved streets looking in the shop windows. Amazingly, there are still some of those shops still operating such as Birkenstock's (how I loved those hippy shoes back in the 70's) and it did my heart good to remember those days of old.

Well, the day eventually ended and it was time to meet my husband and return home. 

As we walked over the bridge to our car, we watched as not one but two helicopters landed on the same platform by the river within minutes of each other. How amazing they timed their landing to perfection, so close, yet far enough away without touching each other in the process!

My melancholy stems not from me and mine tonight, but more for a friend. This friend has a child who sings with a beautiful clear voice about her father and her love for him and about how he is missed.

Such anniversaries are sad and poignant and my thoughts are with that family as they support one another in their grief this evening.