Bonsoir Sweet Friends!

Tonight I’m back in Cologne after an amazing weekend in Paris with Doc and sweet Rickey Lee. It was such a great trip in so many ways, but laughing until I cried and my face hurt was the best! Rickey has been my friend for so many years (since elementary school) that we can read each other’s minds and finish the other’s sentences. We laugh at the same things and laugh mostly at each other.

Rickey was constantly bombarded by street vendors and the gypsies begging for money. He has a huge heart and has a hard time saying no. I told him just say NEIN really loud and firmly to them. Works every time. Well, one night at dinner, I went inside to use the WC and someone came to the table asking him to buy something. He was going for NEIN! but nicht came out. He kept saying NICHT, NICHT, really loud and the guy finally gave up and went away. I came back to the table and he told me what happened. I knew in my head, he was trying to say NEIN but couldn’t remember that so he said NICHT. I got so tickled that I couldn’t stop laughing or breathe. I was doubled over laughing. When he asked me what I was laughing at, I said, it’s nein you dork, not nicht. He started laughing and said, well what the hell is nicht? where did I get that? The lady at the next table came over and touched his shoulder and laughing she said, I think it’s Russian, and went inside. We just about fell over laughing. It was stupid but hilarious at the same time. The entire weekend went like this, over and over. It was a blast.

Monday was rainy most of the day, but somewhat warm at least. We went to Saint Chappelle but were turned away after waiting 30 minutes due to some “dust” problem. Not even sure, but it was disappointing as this is my favorite church, even more so than Notre Dame, which is where we went to next. The line was a mile long to get in, so we punted and headed for the Louvre. Again, the line was around the corner, like an hour or more wait; but we had our Museum Pass, so we skipped the line and went right in!! But it was packed with people and the place is HUGE! I mean huge. You just have to pick one area and go through it and stop there otherwise it’s just too overwhelming. We decided on Italian and Spanish paintings along with some Italian sculptures. We bypassed both the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo because the crowds are just to crazy, besides I don’t see what all the fuss is about. There are much better paintings and sculptures there. Go away haters! I said it cos it’s true! We spent about 3 hours there and decided to go out for lunch.

We consulted Happy Cow and found a veggie restaurant near by called Veggie. It was a very small place but it was warm with home cooked food. We both got the buckwheat groats with veggies, a small salad and bread. It was delish. Service was not too great, but the food was good.

Rickey wanted to go to the Picasso Museum, so we took the metro to the Marais area and spent some time looking for the museum. After much walking, we found it, but it was closed for renovation! WOW, another closure today. We were having museum trauma. So, we decided on the Center Pompidou – the modern art museum. It was open and we got in free using our pass! It was wonderful, well laid out and not too crowded. There was an observation deck at the top so we got a great view as a bonus.

At about 5:30 PM, I hit a wall. I was so tired I could barely stand up, so we returned to the flat to take a nap. We slept for 3 hours and woke up around 9 PM!!! Since we had to leave early the next morning, we decided to find something on our street and go to bed early. We ended up at Subway. Go figure. It was the only thing open that had salads, so that’s where we ended up. Our last night in Paris and we are eating at Subway. Well, we did enjoy many a fine meal while there and we were just exhausted. We had both been up late every night and up early every morning, so we did what our bodies told us and we stayed in and slept.

This morning we woke up refreshed and ready to go. Rickey had to take the train from Paris Nord to CDG airport, so we had to get him there in time to navigate the RER system on his own. I said goodbye to my friend who I love so very much feeling so thankful to have had such a special time together. I sometimes think I lead a very charmed life. I have such wonderful friends, a gifted and nearly perfect son, I live in Europe and I’m traveling for the next two years before I go back to Hawaii, and I’m not working for the time being. That’s what I mean, I lead a charmed life. I’m so very blessed and fortunate. Don’t think for one minute I don’t know this and give thanks to the Universe every day!

Give thanks today for everything you’re grateful for my friends. It’s good for the soul, just like laughter! Au revoir!!