France's love of art

Bonjour ;)

Well my French endeavors are getting better and better. The "god" of French compassion decided to take pity on my soul and placed my wallet in the hands of a lovely Frenchman named Miguel who was kind enough to track down my address and wait outside my apartment building until someone arrived to let him in. He then found my name on my mailbox and left me a note with his name and number, explaining he had found my wallet on the side of the street in Paris. I thanked the good chap with a bottle of wine, he invited me to his play (he is an actor) and I was left with the gift of wallet and the full 90 Euros that I had just withdrawn from the bank in hand :). And then Paris said "breathe."

The French's love for art is really coming to show itself for me. I know the Louvre. You know the Louvre. Everyone knows the Louvre. What I did not have a full understanding of what the Louvre really symbolizes for the French. The Louvre housed French royalty for centuries, limiting the palace's magnificent beauty to the elite eyes of a few. With the French populace's denunciation of the monarchy (the chopping of heads that followed) and the once and for all success of the French Republic, the Louvre was transformed. Once a marvel for a select few, the Louvre now represents the heart of France. A piece of architecture that speaks stories for itself, now houses some of the most incredible treasures of the world, now for all eyes to see. It is truly beautiful and only symbolic of what France has fought so very hard for. You must look at the pictures attached-they are absolutely marvelous!

Coucou! (a French expression of affection ;) )

Damien and I have been in our apartment for 10 days and it is really beginning to feel more like home ;)

Our bedroom has a classic Parisien tile floor and a beautiful window that looks out into our apartment building's courtyard. Our landlord does live downstairs from us but luckily Damien has won her over so we are not experiencing any issues in that department :)

I dealt with a small bout of sickness at the beginning of our inhabitance and thought I could persevere and beat it myself. When I ended up keeled over in pain I threw up the white flag, went to the doctor with Damien's assitance and went on a strong dose of antibiotics :) I am feeling fine now but during this time I was also pit-pocketed and in combination with a cold spell kept all of France below zero for two weeks, it was a bit of a challenging start :D I am strong now, the weather is bearable and I am ready to spread my wings and begin my greater exploration of this incredible city.

I have purchased "the voice of the sparrow" album by Edith Piaf (please listen to "Non, je ne regrette rien" or her other famous "La vie en rose"-two of her classics), a beautiful compilation of one of France's greatest legends. She rised out of poverty and prostitution and ended up the cherished "sparrow" of France. You also might know the movie "La Mome" (the kid, because she was so short) that came out in 07' starring Marion Cotillard. Her museum is next on my list (maybe tonight) which is on the border of the 11th (my district) and she is buried in the beautiful Pere Lachaise (the reknown graveyard of Paris-hehe Kim) which is right around the corner from me. So a few things on my list.....

I'll keep it to that for now.....

Vous me manquez ( I miss you all)