The City of Lights

Paris is called the "City of Light' because it is the most- lit city in the world and there are so many lights. In 1828, Paris began lighting the Champs De Elysées with gas lamps. It was the first city in Europe to do so, and so earned the nickname "La Ville-Lumière" or The City of Light.

You may remember a while back I wrote here about a trip to Paris? That journey begins tomorrow. My flight will leave SFO at 3:30 and the next morning I'll be in Paris. Sharon will meet me at the airport and the adventure will begin.

Here is a partial list of things we plan to do but in no particular order and we can always add or delete things as we feel. I will be observing classes Sharon will be teaching at the Paris American Academy and I'll get to meet the director and see how that pans out for me.

1) Parisian flea market
2) pastries - food in general
3) libations (champagne!)
4) Pret a Porter Paris is an international fashion trade show, the meeting place for fashion and creative accessories designers. YES! I get to go to this.
5) The Louvre
6) Exploring the Latin Quarter where the academy is and where I'm staying - Notre Dame

I don't care about going up in the Eiffel Tower or some of those other very touristy things. I'm not sure if we'll get out to the countryside but it could happen.

I was in Paris once before but it was only overnight. Just long enough to know I wanted to go back and now I get to do that.

My dilemma about packing is this: I'm not just having to pack clothing to take, that would be easy, but I have to take some of my wearables to show and I need to take some things I want to work on while I'm in the studio, which means fabrics, dyes, and other supplies. I can check one bag weighing up to 50 lbs. If it's overweight or I took a second bag it gets very expensive. I can take one small carryon. I have piles of things everywhere and as soon as I finish typing this I will begin stuffing space bags and putting in the suitcase in hopes it all fits and weighs the proper amount. I know, I know, poor me right?

I made the decision not to take my computer. I can use Sharon's but not sure what the internet situation will be so if you don't hear from me much that only means I'm having the time of my life.

I don't speak any French. I haven't fretted about this too much, I have a few basic phrases to use and I'll just have to wing it.

I'm back on the 16th so until then Au revoir!