Bon jour and Au revoir

It really isn't fair, and I wish you could all come with us. I am off for a week in Paris with my daughter and  her French language students. I have my sketchbook and plan to use it a lot!

Rainy evening in Paris

Tables are placed in the front of the restaurant facing out so that you can watch the street. I felt like I was a character in a movie, something romantic, in this lovely city.

I don't intend this to be a travel blog, but if you want to know, I was sketching this evening while  waited for my group at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter right next to the University Sorbonne.

Travel companions

My daughter is brilliant, fluent in English, Spanish and French. And she knows Paris as well as her own hometown back in Illinois so I couldn't ask for a better traveling companion. My only gripe is that she is wearing my new pink scarf that I had just spent 5 euros on and won't give it back.

I was a free ... in Paris

I was a free spirit in Paris!

In the words of Joni Mitchell , 

"I was a free man in Paris


I felt unfettered and alive


There was nobody calling me up for favors


And no one's future to decide


You know I'd go back there tomorrow


But for the work I've taken on

If l had my way


I'd just walk through those doors


And wander
down the Champs Elysees


Going cafe to cabaret..."

A wonderful gift of travel to Paris in March and my sketchbook  is nearly full.

I have lots of sketches to share in the next days.

This drawing I made while sitting in a cafe on Boulevard St-Germain while sipping a teeny cup of strong coffee.

I thought I asked for it "american style" but it did not resemble my usual mug.

Good caffeine jolt, but expensive.  So I got out my sketchbook and tried to make it last.

You can see the entrance to the Metro here and enjoy watching the bustle of street life.

Man in Paris

I don't think this gentleman knew I was sketching him. I tried to be sneaky and look at the street scene most of the time.