Misc - Happy Halloween!

I remember these cat post cards for sale at the book stalls along the Seine from my student days. I especially love the one in the middle at the top, cat as exclamation point!

Misc - Dalí

This poster was displayed outside of the Espace Dalí Montmartre, the Salvadore Dalí exhibition in Montmartre. Dali's face is always so expressive. The art of the Universe in each of us.

Misc - Plumbing

This week's theme is Miscellaneous. These are photos that don't quite fit any theme I can think of, but that I love because they remind me so much of Paris. Each is, in it's own way, "typically Parisian."

This is a sink my friends. Yes, a sink. In a restaurant no less. For patrons. It is small, it is dirty, is it makeshift, and yet, somehow completely charming. (This one is from Le Pure Café in the 11th arrondissement.)

City of Lights - Many

Outside the churches, the city of Paris seems so secular and cosmopolitan, but inside you realize how many still seek something beyond themselves to believe in, to put their faith in. I have no doubt that all of these candles burning all across the city contribute to the feeling of soulfulness and sacredness that permeates the city.

CIty of Lights - Sacred Heart of Jesus

This altar to the Sacred Heart of Jesus burns brightly with the petitions and prayers of many.

City of Lights - Three

Following on from last week's theme, churches, here are some photos of candles lit at various churches we visited in Paris. I love how one little sprite couldn't resist playing in the sand, leaving a sweet reminder of his/her presence behind. I like to think that these candles burn for him/her.

Églises - Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre

The second oldest church in Paris (the oldest is St-Germain-des-Prés) Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre 
is a Melkite Greek Catholic parish church built in the 13th Century. It is right next to another Paris landmark, Shakespeare & Company.

Églises - Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

A Gothic-style church near The Panthéon (which was closed when we were there), I think this is the church that turned things around for me. At first I didn't understand my (non-religious) friend's obsession with going in every church we happened upon. But going inside this one changed my mind. You can see why here. Gorgeous!

Églises - Église Saint-Augustin de Paris

This week the theme is churches. There are so many beautiful old churches in Paris and we went into many of them on this last trip to Paris.

At first I was not sure about this. My friend who I traveled with is not religious, but he wanted to go into every single church we passed. Having parted ways with the Catholic Church myself in the past few years it made me uncomfortable at first and I thought about hanging back, but they always enticed me and before I knew it, I was going in every one.

This one is the Église Saint-Augustin de Paris, the church which has this statue of Joan of Arc out front.

Portes - Champs-Élysées

A very, very old door with mail slot on the Champs-Élysées.

Portes - 16 rue Charlot

This is the door at 16 rue Charlot. I remember this door from when I was an au pair in Paris in the 1990's. I used to walk by it on my way to my French classes. It was a delight to run into it again on this trip.

I fear it may not be there on my next trip, however, as it is not visible in this street view of 16 rue Charlot.

Portes - Chez Nous

This week, Doors....The doors in Paris are heavier, sturdier and work differently than doors in the U.S. They have skeleton keys and automatic locks. It's hard to explain, but they are just different, kinda like Paris. This one is the door to the appartement that we rented for the week.

Mot du Jour - Shine

Another great word in a pleasing font. The City of Light encouraging all of us to SHINE!

Mot du Jour - Soul

Can also mean spirit. This is an interesting word relative to Paris. Sometimes I feel like Paris has more spirit, more soul, than any city I have ever been to. And yet, Les Parisians are not always as soulful as I might like them to be. They can be rude, dismissive, judgmental and vain. They drink and smoke more than your average American - although with more pleasure bien sûr! These contradictions hit me every time I go back and may explain my need to return again and again.

Mot du Jour - Yes!

And of course the flip-side of NO, is YES! Which the city of Paris seems to know. You're so smart Paris!

Mot du Jour - Say No!

I love this one: "Say NO!" As if the whole city is affirming your power to speak your truth. Go Paris!

Mot du Jour - Now

The theme for the week is "Words."

Maybe I am just not paying attention in the States, but there seem to be inspirational words all over the city of Paris.

Today's word is NOW. As in "Do It NOW!" "Live in the NOW!" "Be Here NOW!" It's like a constant reminder to my Higher Self. Just one more reason I ♥ Paris!