On July 28 2013, 9.49 pm and 32 sec. A blue fly of the Calliphorides species, Whose wings can flutter 14670 times per minute lands in Saint-Vincent Street, Montmartre. At the exact same time, near the Eiffel Tower, a girl from Scotland stands amid a crowd of tourists, with the biggest grin, perhaps ever, on her face.
Approximately 9 hours and 49 minutes and 32 seconds earlier... She'd been drinking tea in her London flat, listening to the radio And pondering what to do with today and two days off work... "What about Paris?" This was her other half, making coffee, And peering at his ipad with a slight smile on his lips... Zoë raised an eyebrow, was he being serious? That small smile turned into a big grin... Did she want to go? Mais bien sûr! 30 mins of frantic packing, random clothes chosen, A hotel booked in the 19th arrondissement... A dash to the train station, for once on time... The Underground behaving itself (it must have known) And before you knew it, departure lounge.
Zoë likes: impromptu visits to Paris... Going to the supermarche to buy French crisps... Saying merde just for the fun of it... And pretending to be Amelie for a day or two.
Zoë does not like: windy days when wearing a flippy skirt. (This has now happened in Tokyo and San Francisco too. You think she would learn but no!)
Her other half likes: buying a baguette to munch on throughout the day. And picking up delicious baked goods, with comedy names. "We got a divorce in Paris... and it was damn good".
He does not like: that he slips into Spanish when ordering in French. Je voudrais deux divorce por favor...
Zoë likes finding street art in unexpected places. She especially likes this beautiful ones by Alexis Diaz (He did a very cool Elephant Octopus in London which she loves.)
She also likes Rue Dénoyez – a much graffitied street in Belleville Riots of colours, with layers and layers of art painted over art... And at one end, Aux Folies... the perfect spot for a café au lait.
And spotting space invaders by Invader... High up on walls, perched on street signs, Some tiny, down by your feet...
Some larger than life... just like Paris itself. (Can you tell he lives in the City of Light?)
In 2001, Zoë first saw a film about a French girl called Amelie, Who worked in a cafe called Cafe des deux Moulins...
In 2013, Zoë first steps foot into that very cafe. There are no mad eccentric French characters, but... She does instantly fall in love with the tiled floor.
She also likes: the Metro station that's in the film. (But not so much the tourists crowded round about it.)
And the Sacré-Coeur ... where Amelie leaves a treasure hunt Of sorts for the equally quirky lost boy she's in love with. (But not so much the tourists that are crowded round about it.)
And likes the view... with all of Paris laid out before you. (But not so much the tourists that are crowded round about it.)
To escape the crowds,Zoë likes to visit the Louvre... (Only kidding. She came here to see the crowds.) That Mona Lisa lady sure gets everyone excited!
So many people, more impatient than you'll find waiting On a train at the Metro station... So there's fun to be had in standing still, Just watching them all, hurrying, scowling, Underwhelmed by the art all around them.
Some people are more easily entertained than others though... Especially when they find a Marilyn Monroe vent in a museum.
But even people pretending to be Amelie have their limits. (This smile says I want to go home now. I have been defeated by The Louvre.)
But this smile... is the pure joy of spotting gold dinosaurs On the Champ Elysees. (Who are, ahem, better than the Mona Lisa.)
Zoë likes: returning to their weird but rather wonderful hotel Which has Batman masks (and other characters) over the lamps... Life is full of surprises is it not?
"Luc, je suis ton pere." Bet you didn't guess this post would end up with a Darth Vader mask! *****
Today's October 7th, it's 9 o'clock in the evening At the Trône Fair the marshmallow-mixing machine mixes marshmallow. At the same moment, at the La Villette garden Félix L'Herbier discovers . that the number of possible connections in a human brain is superior to the number of atoms in the universe. Meanwhile, at the foot of the Sacré-Coeur, the Benedictines work on their backhand. At that exact moment, Zoë publishes this blog post and stops referring To herself in the third person, makes a cup of tea, switches on the radio And starts pondering what to do with her next days off work.
I love this post so much! I really want to watch Amelie now. And you’re right, I did not expect a Darth Vader mask at the end – a dinosaur maybe!
Ha ha, well, there was a dino near the end too Jo x
Aw…love your fab post!
This brings back lots of fond memories from my first visit to Paris in 2012 with Mr Red Bird. We went to that very same cafe on Rue Dénoyez for the very reason of the funky graffiti & a great cafe au lait! Really miss those French bakeries. They wrap everything in beautiful paper parcels even for a croissant which makes eating it twice as tasty! Bikes are a must too, it’s so much fun cycling around the city!
Ooh never rented a bike in Paris, Red Bird Makes! Gives me an excuse to go back methinks x
Ah Zoe! What a tres bon post. You did a very good job as Amelie 🙂
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Thanks Amy! Or merci… x
Oh my lordee, the Darth Vader mask! Tee hee!
Another adorable post, you always make me want see the world through films too!
Thanks lady! Yeah, I’m still disconcerted by that picture myself! x
Fab post! If I could go anywhere right this very second it would be Paris!
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Thanks Robyn! If I could be anywhere this second, it would Tokyo or Brooklyn… but I wouldn’t object to being back in Paris though! x
Oh I love this post! So cute and it looks like so much fun. I now want to re-watch Amelie. Also when doing a clear out I found some stickers I *think* you might like.
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Thanks Siobhan! And ooh interesting… I’m intrigued!! x
Love, love, LOVE! Or should that be j’adore?!! Totally wish you organised city tours I could go on as they always seem so fun. (Also, the mask! Genuis!)
Ha ha, thanks Emily… I’d be the most random tour guide ever! Vintage shops, street art and stopping for tea lots and lots. Actually that sounds like a tour I’d sign up for myself! x
Haha I love this post! Tres bien! And I love that you made such a spontaneous trip – magnifique!
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Merci Polly! Yeah spontaneous trips are good, though must admit that was the most scattered packing for a trip I’ve ever done!! x
Paris and Amelie too of my favourite things! This post has made me want to watch the film again, visit Paris and eat macarons!
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Weirdly it made me want to watch Amelie again too… and I’ve watched it really recently, Chiara! x
I LOVE that you took a totally impromptu trip to Paris! I’m inspired. xx
Thanks lady! x
ah, I love this post so much. So fun and well written! The Mona Lisa is hilarious isn’t it, there is always a scrum in front! looks like you had a great time x
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What a brilliant post – really loved reading every last bit of it!
And so exciting to take a spontaneous trip to Paris. I always like to make my days off as meaningful as possible, and now my weekend falls on two weekdays taking a European trip could be a good (last minute) plan!
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Love this, makes me want to go back to Paris right now. In fact I read it and started looking up hotels…just out of interest! Also love Amelie, the soundtrack is often my ‘I’m having a stressful day in the office’ soundtrack.
Ha! Gold dinosaurs will always win out over the Louvre for me too. So much wanting my own Amelie moment in Paris but think I’m better off waiting for the right quirky man to take with me. Paris isn’t going anywhere soon.
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The Spanish / French bit reminded me of when I was travelling from Spain and when just inside France ordered in a café “Café con Leche pour favour” The French waitress looked at me as if I was speaking Klingon!
I love this post so much! It’s so lovely, and your photos are so fun 🙂 I’ve not been to Paris for a few years, it’s about time I made a weekend trip over there!
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Yay for Paris. I took a very similar photo of a Eiffel Tower street sign when I was in Paris earlier this year.
Thanks for the Saturday read – I’ve been missing your blog posts of recent times.
Claire xx
http://somewhereyonder.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/winter-wanderings-in-paris.html
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Z, this is fun and beautiful and very very you (and N). And it made me do a happy cry. I love your Paris, and it has reminded me that I need to go back and see mine…
…also that I need to write about NY which is daunting, so we’ll forget that bit!
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Such a fantastic spontaneous trip! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time – ace photos! – and good for you for making the most of a free weekend…
It’s 7.54pm on Sunday 13th October and somewhere along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées a couple share their first taste of pistachio macarons, look into each other’s eyes and know there are fewer simple pleasures than sharing sweet delicacies together.
Meanwhile, somewhere in rainy ol’ Buckinghamshire a short redhead girl reads a blog post written by a long-time blog-friend that warms her heart and makes her smile. She is pleased to know that there is plenty of poetry and adventure in the world.
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Fab, fab, fab. One of my favourite films, you did Amelie proud. Really clever piece. 🙂
Cool photos.
xoxo
Ivy
http://www.purrpleivy.com/
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I am excessively in love with this post. I am also insanely jealous. I can’t wait to do this myself once I get to Europe. I love your whimsy and spirit and I’m so glad my friend sent me your link.
J’adore indeed. I LOVE this post and all these pics. Yay for the husband, how wonderful is spontaneous!?
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