Paris by Airmail

This past week we received  an "Airmail" postal delivery.

What a lovely card from dear Laury which  inspired me to dream and reminisce about Paris!

Our normal mode of planning our next adventure has been pushed to the back burner several times over the past few months ... Mostly by me.

Monsieur Honey is anxious to have the plans made and something to look forward to in the future.

It is his "wanderlust" nature!

We would normally be all done and set to go somewhere.

We are one step closer to making some plans.

We've submitted our renewal forms for our passports, once we've received our new ones we will be able to travel outside of the country again.

 

The planning and dreaming is always a fun, exciting part of our adventures.

In the meantime for today we are travelling back in time to September 2003  (our very first trip to France) to the few days we spent in Paris before catching the train to Cahors in the Lot Valley.

                

                            

                       

     

I think it's time to include a return stay in Paris during  our next rendezvous with France.

 

There is still so much to see and do in the City of Lights.

Although just sitting at a corner Cafe sipping a glass of wine, reading a book or writing postcards to loved ones would be wonderful also!

Circles within Circles!

The time finally came to say our goodbyes to our dear friend who was an excellent guide and ambassador for her city and the surrounding area.

On our final evening after another full day of the sights and sounds in New Orleans, we joined Laury at her home for some delicitable nibbles, a good bottle of wine and an evening of tintalating conversation.

                            

                        

We met some interesting people both real and not so real.

The butcher, the baker but not the candlestick maker ... the city is adorned with masterful bronze sculptures.

                             

And a new circle of friends, circles within circles which leads to the story of how we met Laury!

Of course, there is a "French Connection"!

         

In 2012 shortly (within a month or so) after our return from our first ever long stay of three months in Gourdon, France which was a truly amazing experience (magnifique!); we were already starting to plan our next adventure.

While searching the rental websites, we found a cute stone cottage named "Beaucaillou" in the small village of Dégagnac located only 12 kilometres from the town of Gourdon.

Late July 2012 we sent an enquiry to the owner regarding the property's availability for an extended stay of three months in 2013.

The pictures, description and details on the website showcased a lovely property and it was located in the Lot Valley, one our favourite areas in France.

As we did not know much about the owner and property, etc. ... we "googled" the cottage and village name "Beaucaillou Dégagnac".

Our search results found a blog post that referenced "Beaucaillou" translation "Beautiful Pebble".

The post was titled "A "Beautiful Pebble" in Dégagnac" in a blog named "Soar-Dream-France".

Reading this post we got our first glimpse of the owner "Clare"  through a photo along with some history of her and the writer's friendship.

The writer being none other than "Laury".

Msr. Honey enjoyed reading the blog about Laury's French life and her other happenings. 

He followed it regularly and it became part of his morning ritual along with reading the daily newspaper.

Fast forward, we did rent Beaucaillou for the three months of April, May and June 2013 and actually met the owner ... and via email she introduced us to our "Belgian Connection" friends ...Madame M. and Msr. Guy ... another circle within a circle.                 

During our return trip in 2014, Clare invited us all for dinner at Beaucaillou.  

Over the course of the evening, Msr. Honey asked Clare "How is your friend who writes the blog?"

Clare responded "She's coming to visit next week."

The stars collided and the rest is history ... we finally met "Laury" in person at an alfresco dinner hosted by the Belgian Connection.

I have to tell you Msr. Honey expected to see Laury dressed in her "overalls"* but that was not the case that evening ... But she did not disappoint him when we arrived at her place on our first day in New Orleans. (*Only those that know Laury will understand this).

A big "Merci beaucoup!" Laury for sharing your time, friends, knowledge and the wonderful places in your "town" of New Orleans!

It is a small world after all!

On a Carousel!

Double decker carousel in France.

Time to find our way back to our hotel ... "Will we need to run for cover?"

         

We had walked many steps today and it would have been easy to opt for another mode of transport ... perhaps some pretty wheels or a private chariot...

"Going our way?"

                                                 

Our friend/tour guide wanted to show us one last place before we said our goodbyes ...

A quick walk through the luxury "Hotel Monteleone" to view the famous "Carousel Bar & Lounge" ... an amazing revolving bar. It is a 25-seat, colourful circus Merry-Go-Round.

                       

Our intentions were to just have a look around but the atmosphere appealed and we decided to satisfy our thirst in the whimsical surroundings ... all the seats on the Merry-Go-Round were occupied.

We found some comfortable seating in the lounge area with views of the "Carousel" enjoyed a drink, some quiet conversation and watched as the rain finally made it's appearance through the large fan windows overlooking the famous Royal St.

What an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon!

 "Riding along on a carousel, round and round, up, down, up, down" ... feeling like a kid in a hectic adult world!

Here's one of my favorite "Carousels" ... It is located in the square "Place Gambetta, Cahors, France".

The rain had subsided by the time we walked back to the hotel.

Ms. Laury retrieved her bicycle that had been safely locked up in the Hotel's storage room and she rode off with our promise to come by her home later in the evening!

 The day continued into the evening ...  see you soon! 

A bientôt !

    

Lunch with Napoleon at his House!

After our busy morning in the French Quarter and area ... we had worked up an appetite.

Our friend, Laury had planned for us to have lunch at a historic Bar/Café; the Napoleon House is a 200+ year old landmark in the French Quarter. 

My research indicates the 1st occupant, Nicholas Girod, Mayor (1812-1815)  offered refuge to Napoleon during his exile in 1821. He never did come.

The rustic decor and aged patina of the walls makes you feel the history transporting you to times gone by. 

Everywhere you looked you could feel Napoleon's presence! Can you feel him watching you?

         

                               

Specialty of the house is their Italian Muffuletta ...

A hearty sandwich filled with ham, genoa salami, pastrami, Swiss cheese, provolone cheese and italian olive salad originally made on "Sicilian" bread ...not sure if that is used today but it was delicious.

I found a recipe online for this "Muffuletta" that used a sesame seed coated bread, after filling/ stuffing the bread with ingredients ... wrap in aluminum foil, bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes until sandwich is warmed through. 

                          

             

                           

Napoleon House is an unassuming building located at 500 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA.

When we arrived the garden courtyard was fully occupied, and we opted for a table in the bar area at an open window/ door with a view on the world.

Great choice! I felt like we were sitting at an outdoor "Café"... wonderful!

I can see why our friend likes this special place.

I wandered around after the lunch hour rush and was able to get a "postcard photo" of the courtyard dining area.

 From here we wandered back to the riverfront area to the Cafe du Monde ... for coffee and dessert ...

a beignet of course!

And there is still more to our day ...

Down by the Mississippi.

Follow us to the riverfront ...

A misty, foggy walk along the riverfront of the Mississippi ... with some dark clouds possibly threatening rain.

It was a warm and humid day!

   Above Photo credit to Laury.

We wondered if these were party revellers leftover from Mardi Gras ...

We had a great view of Jackson Square and it's happenings ...

After our river front stroll, we headed to the French Market ...

             

Here we met Laury's dear artist friend Oscar. 

That would be "Oscar of New Orleans"... his card states he "captures the magic of New Orleans".

He designs and makes unique pieces of jewelry. You can read Oscar's story on his website ...

www.oscarofneworleans.com

And that is exactly what I chose as my souvenir ... a pair of fun, funky, colourful earrings!

              

                      

Back through Jackson Square and off to a special place for lunch ...