FRANCE AND AMERICA - UNITED BY PAIN THIS CHRISTMAS

America shares the same aching heart as France. Two most beautiful countries in the world are now joined in the tragic sorrow of having the upcoming holidays overshadowed by deep pain.

                                                Paris Massacre: At Least 128 Die In Attacks

 But we will not bow to evil. We are determined that we shall go on and celebrate this time of the One and only Lord's birth this holiday season.

If I were somehow able to spend Christmas in Paris I would not spend the time in sight-seeing or shopping. I would spend the precious time spreading hope.

Recently, in both nations, groups of people enjoying recreational time were suddenly surprised by bloody attacks driven by an unnatural ideology. Paris and San Bernardino are healing from their gaping wounds. But they will not forget. They will not stop trying to ferret out the evildoers. Even if it takes until next Christmas. Or every Christmas hereafter

                         San Bernardino Shooting              San Bernardino Shooting Suspect

The threat of terror will not erase my desire to return to Paris! I will not allow deranged individuals masquerading under the guise of an insatiably-devouring-mock-religious label to stop my trek to the most beautiful city in the world.

For those criminal, psychotic minds to savage the beauty of my beloved Paris is a hideous ravishment. To put their bloodied hands on the Loveliest Lady of Light - the City Paris - is like the worst horrible nightmare. Now they have gone too far!


People will go about their normal lives without fear! The terrorists will not achieve their goal! Their  ultimate in foolish effrontery will be foiled.


Is it only history scholars who realize that a few hundred thousand invading hordes took over both the Byzantine and Persian empires within the space of twenty years in the 700's? Invaders often subjugate a land through quiet conquest, especially if the natives offer little or no resistance.


Sadly, the memory of 9/11 is but a dim shadow in the memory of many Americans. Laid back, apathetic American citizens have not even reacted as forcefully as the French. Do we say "I am American"?  as the French have said "Je suis Charlie" ?   No. It is time for us to wake up!



Now mindfully aware, Paris will go on. The City of Light cannot be besmirched or darkened by an unjust philosophy of attack.



I will personally take every opportunity given me to return to Paris again and again!



 I will go and visit Bataclan Concert Hall, the cafes Le Petit Cambodge, Cafe Bonne Bierre, La Belle Equipe Bar, Le Carrillion Bar, Le Comptoire Voltaire, and Le Stade France.



                   Paris Attacks - What Happened



 Not for entertainment nor sight-seeing. Rather, I would commemorate the victims who were simply out that night in a free country. They should have been able to take an enjoyable respite from the work week, as people everywhere like to do. I will pray for the families of these victims. But I pray most of all that neither Paris nor America will ever have to suffer these atrocities again!

Having tasted her honeyed sweetness last May, Paris's fragrance lingers in my senses. The most unbelievable experience of my life in recent memory was to set my feet on French soil. That soil will not be muddied by evil demons masquerading as men - if my prayers are heard in the highest of heavens!

From the time I was a toddler I dreamed of the beauties of Paris. God Himself put that love of Paris in my soul.

Even though I am not a native French person, I will continually tout the breathtaking beauties of Paris. If you are a writer, an artist, a chef, or a creative person of any depth, you will not fail to fall in love with the creative atmosphere of this most splendid place, no matter in what era you live.

My dream of peeking through Paris shop windows at Christmas, while my boots make footprints in the snow, will someday come true!

No terrorist will torment me, nor tell me that I cannot visit the loveliest landscape on Earth.

Perhaps the inhabitants of France and of America will take time out from either their mourning or their holiday celebrations to devote worship to that Babe-in-a-manger who became the Savior of all mankind.

May peace light your holiday season San Bernardino.

May a blanket of peace like white, cleansing, falling snow envelope Paris this Christmas. Let her light shine forever from the church tops as the Bells of Christmas ring, reminding us that hope, love and beauty still live on!


CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO HEAR MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CAROL!

           Cantique de Noel Placido Domingo

WANT TO GO SHOPPING WITH ME IN PARIS?

Hey - Want To Go Shopping With Me In Paris? Pack your bags. Mine are waiting right inside my front door.

Heck yes! There's a flight that leaves Omaha tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.  It would get us into Paris the following day day at 6:10 a.m. We could split the 65.00 euro cab fare to the hotel. It's only abut $1400. per person round-trip. Are you game?

I can book us hotel rooms too. Would you rather stay at L'Hotel Lumen? Or Hotel Regina? They are both right down the street from the Louvre. Hotel Regina is closer though. Personally, I'd stick with L'Hotel Lumen. They put on the best gourmet breakfast spread. And the jazz two nights a week is amazing!

                        See the Reviews For Hotel Lumen

                                                     Copyright May 2015    Photo Credit: Coleen Clark

Forget about the dirty sidewalk. It's clean inside. That's what counts!

                                                                         
Both hotels are in the 1st Arrondissement on the I'le de la Cite'.  Having been the heart of the ancient city called Lutecia, it's not only the historic center of the city - it dates back to 52 B.C.   Put on your most comfortable walking shoes and I'll show you around. Got any "Five Hour Energy", anyone?

                       1st Arrondissement - one of twenty! 

If you go to the left out the door of Hotel Lumen, you will eventually come upon Fred Joaillier, Cartier, Piaget, Louis Vuitton. A little farther, down Rue de Papaune, near the Place Vendome, we will see Boucher, Harry Winston, and Alfred Dunhill.

If we go the other direction out of L'Hotel Lumen, to our right, we could go straight down Rue des Pyramides, pass quite a few stores, also to my liking. Dress shops, perfume and jewelry stores, an amazing scarf shop called "Refletions de Paris". The scarves are all prints of famous artists: Picasso, Rembrandt, Monet, and many others.For the price, they are pretty nice, around 40. euros each.

 We would continue by a beautiful flower shop, a tea and chocolate shop - Sebastian Gaudard. I couldn't resist, that wonderful shop that also sells Madeleines and marmalades as well. Sidewalk cafe's dot the street, and catty-corner is the Hotel Regina. Beautiful wide doors make this hotel immediately recognizable.
                               
                                          Hotel Regina - Check it out!

Half way across the street (Rue des Pyramides) is Joan of Arc's golden statue, covered with flowers while I was there. (She deserves them!) Then across the corner from the sidewalk cafe "Carrousel", the corner entrance to the Tuileries and a little further, the glass Pyramid entrance to the Louvre.

One cup of cafe' au lait at Cafe Carrousel will set you back six euros, and then the waiter gives himself a three euro tip...but if you're in the mood for people-watching it's a prime location. See and be seen.

                   

                                          Copyright May 2015                              Photo Credit: Coleen Clark

I know some great restaurants in the area. Even a little cafeteria where you can eat a wonderful meal for only about ten euros. It's right down the Rue de Rivoli, running parallel to the Tuileries gardens.

                                         Copyright May 2015                                Photo Credit: C. Clark


I know all the shops in the area. Cheap ones and expensive. I am not sure I can afford the up-scale ones. But we could go look. Right? If you can afford it, I'll just help you pick out what ever you want to buy.

If you want souvenirs you are in the right spot. Lots of shops. One of my favorites though was MachuPichu. A convivial French gentleman sells the most beautiful Gobelin  tapestry pillow covers there. I agree with him. He sells them for less than the cost of these works of art, elsewhere. I still want the blue and gold fleur-de-lis cases. At least two. That was Napoleon Bonaparte's trademark symbol, inscribed on his emperor's cape and on many other surfaces. I just love the fleur-de-lis and the royal blue!

                                          Copyright May 2015                                 Photo Credit: C. Clark

                                          Copyright May 2015                          Photo Credit: VAC

If we continue on through the Tuileries gardens and out through to the other side, we can head down the Champs- Elysees. It is a mile and a half walk...at least you won't have to go to the gym this week. That will take us all the way to the 8th Arrondissement. The Champs-Elysees is lined with all the luxury stores of the world. Impressive!

I didn't get to buy this amazing perfume I fell in love with.
Hermes' Eau d'Orange

 It's in all the bathrooms at L'Hotel Lumen. It is Hermes' signature fragrance...the one they started their entire perfume line with. A gender neutral fragrance called "Green Orange Water", or L'Eau  d'Orange Vert, it has mossy, dusky undertones skirting around orange blossoms.. It costs about sixty bucks online, but it's probably cheaper in the shops. And we would get reimbursed for the VAT tax. So that would be cool, right?

                                          Copyright May 2015                                            Photo Credit: C. Clark

I would love to show you the Tuilleries gardens right outside the Louvre...that awesome once palatial home of many former kings of France, and now the greatest museum in the world.

                                          Copyright May 2015                           Photo Credit: C. Clark

You know...the artist who's pictures I wanted to see the most I couldn't get to, on the days I visited the Louvre. The Fragonard exhibit was under construction until May 20th, a week after I had gone home. Just my luck. But now it's open and we could go take a look at his amazing artwork.

My favorite of his, "A Young Girl Reading" isn't there. It's in the Washington, D.C. National Gallery of Art, but we'll save that for another trip.

A Young Girl Reading By Fragonard

But we can go see my next favorite of his, "The Bolt", a visual story of seduction, steamy tossed-aside sheets, and a lover that won't let his amour get away. Hey that was very hot in the 1700's...and I daresay it invokes some great fantasies even today in the 21st.

The Bolt by Fragonard

There's always MacDonald's down the street the other direction if you want to eat cheaply. The Coca Cola in Paris is really good! Much stronger than the American version.

                                         Copyright May 2015                                 Photo Credit: C. Clark
                             

And you should see the Paris Opera House! Would you believe they have a huge portrait of Charlize Theron from her ad campaign for J'Adore perfume?  I think it is very cool!

                                          Copyright May 2015                                                    Photo Credit: VAC

I'd just love to show you the gold-laced gates leading up the broad path from the Tuileries to the Champs Elysees. The whole scene is just so beautiful...

Okay...then...you can always wait for my book to come out on Kindle eventually - probably not until October 2016. 

You will however be able to purchase the book directly from links on this site very soon, or on my upcoming websites:  WWW.IFELLFORPARIS.COM      and    

                              WWW.COLEENCLARKAUTHOR.COM

It will be any day now. I have an order into a printer for a limited number of copies of the book.

In the electronic version, eventually on KINDLE, you can link to great photo's and websites that will give you more information about each topic. So please be patient a little longer. I'll let you know as soon as I have it on-line and we'll go walking down the Champs Elysees, in the merry, merry month of M....oh yeah - It's September.

But the weather's still nice. Checked last night. It was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Not a cloud in sight. Hope you'll find delight in "I Fell For Paris". Soon soon soon. Will let you know dear friends!

P.S.
Some of the photos are mine and some of them my great photographer son took. You will see many more in the book.

Copyright @May 2015

PEPE LEPEW MIGHT HAVE STUNK BUT SURELY IT WAS A LOVELY FRENCH PERFUME!

I was just a toddler. But I giggled every time I saw Pepe LePew trying to kiss a girl skunk. Such metaphors those cartoons invoked. I realize now. Isn't it the skunks who try to kiss alllll the girls? Just like Georgie Porgie, he probably made them all cry, too. But I was too little to know that then.

                       

Warner Brothers' cartoons always had those hidden sub-themes that enabled adults to watch and enjoy them too, just like the kids.

I grew up believing that girls, skunks or not, were supposed to act coy when a boy tried to kiss them. And that being French must be romantic. Funny how little children's minds work. They absorb everything.

Then, watching re-runs of the movie Gigi with my mother and hearing Maurice Chevalier sing "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" made me like Mr. Chevalier's French accent, and any mention of Paris.

You realize of course, the famous writer Colette actually wrote the story behind Gigi, right? I've always wanted to steal Colette's name! She died before I was ever born.

                                            Colette - The Famous French Writer

So began my love affair with Paris though at the age of three these notions were just  forming. I didn't realize I was falling in love. With a city I couldn't imagine. A country that drew my thoughts like a magnet.

From that time on, any mention of France or Paris made me obsessively search out any detail that my eyes or ears could find on what seemed like the most exotic, romantic place on Earth.

To hear the story of my longing to get to that famous city - and the answer to whether I finally realized my dream - READ MY BOOK I FELL FOR PARIS! On Kindle E-Books later this month.

    I   FELL FOR PARIS by COLEEN CLARK