Paris in the Spring

My dear Friends

I had a really wonderful time in Paris, the first day was very hot, then we had rain and cloud, but I was having such a good time it didn't matter. I spent the time with Alexia mainly at the weekend, and yes, we did get to the Pere la chaise cemetery and made a long pilgrimage to find the grave of Edith Piaf at the top. It was a simple stone, with moving words, but the main cemetery was very old with huge gravestones and tombs, some from way back when.

The Opera House is superb, with mirrors and chandeliers everywhere. Unfortunately there were rehearsals in the auditorium area, so we couldn't see the stage, unlike the last time when I sang from a box in three languages! We sat on the sides, on plush seats, while Alexia reflected how much she would like to go to her first opera.

Just being in Paris was delightful. We walked for hours, had Japanese soup in a restaurant (followed by an Indian meal at night) and looked at the closed-roofs shopping arcades off the street. Then on the Sunday we went to Mass together and then to the Jardin des Plantes with its beautiful flowers and a zoo! The Chinese flamingoes who made a racket while they stood on one leg were my favourites. And their colour of rose pink was absolutely gorgeous!

I was able to practise my French to a gentleman in the Gare du Nord, just before leaving, sadly, for England. But here's to the next time!

Love and Shalom
Sister Gila