PARIS 2024
But first Chantilly! This was all an expected last minute pivot when I had a bit of a break in accommodations in London. Meant to be. Perks of being a nomad!
https://www.expedia.com/shop/second-chapter-nomad (for hotel recs; small commission received). My favorite (budget) hotel in Paris: https://expedia.com/affiliates/paris-hotels-hotel-le-pavillon.Qg1NgqC
What a great day! Train from London to Paris on Eurostar under the Channel. Fantastic experience from Euston Station, Central London, to Gar Nord in Central Paris. Door to door just over two hours. So easy! So pleasant!
Then a regional train to Chantilly. Mysterious weekend awaits at a 13th century abbey. Stay tuned! (Enjoyed the Best Western Plus Hotel Du Parc Chantilly, walking distance to train station. Nice breakfast, comfortable room.) The usual slog trying to get heavy bag up and down stairs at train stations.
Irish bar in France
When an American traveling from London arrives in France and walks into an Irish bar and is greeted with “bonsoir”, it’s very confusing!
The power of YES.
Took a leap (well two trains) and accepted an amazing invitation to a weekend event outside Paris in a 13th century abbey. “Mosaic”, uniting humanity through technology and the arts. Amazing thought provoking panels. Meeting people from all over the world. Tonight a 70s themed gala (Pink Floyd performed here in 1971!).
Part Two… when day turns to night at the abbey. Mosaic event. After a day of workshops and panels, there was a gorgeous cocktail party where famous artist @bouboudesign_ created a work before our eyes that auctioned for $70k for the United Nations charity @unitarhq . I was able to meet Sabrina Elba, also there for United Nations. Another highlight during the gala dinner (one of most stunning spaces ever!) was hearing the famous opera singer from Paris opening Olympic ceremony (part of @operaforpeace). Loved meeting Irish @norah_casey who spoke on a panel. I hope to keep many conversations going. Met lovely Jill from Paris, my new BFF via my London Ladies’ circle, and we turned it into a glam girls weekend. @jayrajjrsisodia big thanks for invite. The power of yes!
Sunday in Chantilly
Impromptu Sunday in Chantilly. New friend Jill and I wandered in the mist to see the Chantilly chateau. Ended up joining up with numerous others from the weekend, strangers til today. Wildlife photographer who flew in from Israel just for this (he was a panelist), a high tech fellow from Poland. Women from Paris, Italy, the States, UK. Such wonderful conversations about the world, art, tech, business, the future. Friendly cultural exchange. Civilized. Hope and optimism. It’s nice to be out of America right now. People do still know how to see our shared humanity.
Chantilly to Paris by train
30 minute train from Chantilly to Paris. I haven’t been here in ten years. After so much time in London, LA and NY I have surprising day one observations… it’s far less expensive, it’s clean, walkable, feels safe, it’s smaller, and… everyone has been extremely friendly! All of the Parisian waiters have been incredibly helpful, welcoming and friendly. Old stereotypes are antiquated.
I have an adorable boutique hotel Le Pavillon https://expedia.com/affiliates/paris-hotels-hotel-le-pavillon.Qg1NgqC that was a convent. Great neighborhood (7th). Eiffel Tower view right in front. I followed it like a moth to the light and parked myself at Cafe Le Dome with a view. Autumn is stunning time here. I ordered escargot just because. Thought perhaps my palette was a bit more sophisticated (I do love my oysters!), but no, ew! I forced them all down. Waiter even demoed how to use the utensils to pull out the chewy morsel. (Reel on Insta of my “dine alone” episode.) I surprisingly have numerous friends and colleagues in Paris at the moment, so looks to be rather social. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t said YES to the spontaneous invitation to the retreat at the French abbey. Surrendering to the universe and following the paths that open to me.
Kim & Nydia
Great synergy being in Paris same time as Nydia Simone here representing her Blactina Media company. We met at least eight years ago in LA, and later NY. I love following her creative and business journey. (We love our blue and white!) We had coffee and crepes and tried a few words of French.
Kim & Tina
Kim and Tina do Paris! My hometown film friend. Through spontaneity for both of us, we were able to meet in Paris! 15,000 steps walking on a gray brisk fall day. Met at Arc du Triomphe, walked Champs Elysees (look at that YSL building!), to Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame under reconstruction post fire, took the Metro, and ate at a fabulous restaurant Les Editeurs. https://www.lesediteurs.fr/ Such fun!
Love seeing remnants from Olympics 2024.
I loved the funky Paris Metro. Tina learned it first, then it was a great way to get around the city, safe and cheap (2 euros).
Nostalgia.
Time after time. First time I went to Paris was 1990 with my parents (their first trip to Europe). I then took my kids three times, first two as a family of four. Third trip 2014 my son’s high school graduation trip… with his friend Cowen (and not my hubby, their dad). Cut to ten years later, emptynester, divorced. Paris alone! Passage of time.
Flame of Liberty
Flame of Liberty in Paris (over the tunnel where Princess Diana’s car crashed). Replica of flame in the Statue of Liberty (which was given by France to America). This replica flame was given by America to France to symbolize friendship between our countries. Liberty is a relevant word right now and always. Libertè.
Sacre Couer
Tina and I visited Sacre Couer by night, then met her cousin for dinner at a very local French restaurant http://www.atelier-marche.com/.
Eels Restaurant and meet ups with three people!
My Halloween in Paris… lunch with my “Moss” team Laura at amazing restaurant Eels (3 course meal all orange.) https://www.restaurant-eels.com/ Then crazy coincidence my other “Moss” team Peter also in Paris. Coffee across from Moulin Rouge..(as one does).
‘Na Ruga
Thanks Emmanuel Itier for the delicious food rec in Paris! Delicious last night meal with Tina at https://www.instagram.com/naruga.paris/?hl=en. This caps off every single experience with friendly welcoming waitstaff in Paris. The stereotype of rude is false! What a wonderful week.
Eurostar Paris to London. Three hours going from France to England under the English Channel. Such a great experience. I took Business class going to Paris, and Standard Premiere on return which was very nice. Arrive early to go through both French and U.K. immigration, and security. Have to heave big cases onto security belt. Again, always someone helpful to offer a hand to me. Nice waiting area. Then the big rush to board with masses of people. Stress of heavy cases. One lift, or moving “sidewalks” downhill. Had to ask for more help to lift cases on board. Big steps up. Very comfortable coach, meal and wine included. Going under the Channel in the Tunnel/Chunnel for 50 km is surreal, dark.
Back to London! What a grand escape. Take aways: POWER OF YES and PERKS OF BEING A NOMAD.
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