The Tourist

Yesterday I played hookie and went off to see the film, THE TOURIST. Fortunately for us PBers, it starts in Paris (AND IN FRENCH!)at a cafe near actually it's Cafe Le Nemour (at Place Colette 75001 thanks Linda) Place du Chatelet, moves on to the Passage Jouffroy (75009 -thanks Elizabeth), then Metro station Quatre Septembre and enfin to Gare de Lyon, but you have to keep your eyes peeled if not your GPS handy... Pretty soon we're on the 8:22 AM train with Angelina and Johnny making small talk enroute to where else? VENICE! Angelina's lips could sink a thousand ships... And they do many times over... But NO GONDOLAS! Except for background atmospheric effects. I was a tad disheartened... I had high hopes for at least one trist... One stolen kiss whilst riding a gondola. No such luck. But there is plenty else to love if you love Venice... Or if you love Johnny,

Who plays the awkward schlumpy math teacher from WI Angie picks up on that train. I have high hopes my Paris-to-Venice train ride will be as eventful...sigh

Angie kidnaps Johnny off to her 'Doges' deluxe suite at Hotel Danieli (at ***** and 1.770 euros for a room with a lagoon view). This is the closest I will get to such luxe, calme et volupte...

They dine on the roof garden of the 'new' wing of the Danieli another deluxe joint of Angies choosing. This gal has great taste AND there are gondolas in the background! If you go, do order the scampi in Champagne risotto - Angies excellent choice. In fact Angie is quite the grande dame throughout this movie - no Laura Crofting about here in rubber diving suits...

I could have used a few more dress changes but that's just moi...

Of course there's a grand ball in a FAB palazzo and whoever said there is no chemistry between these two, well go see for yourself and report back.

One thing before I go to Venice - I will definitely search out these giant shade Angies wearing. Tres elegante non? If you want some week-end fun at an entertaining old-style caper and you LOVE Paris, Venice, Johnny and Angela, then do see THE TOURIST.

BONNE WEEK-END PBers!! PS. A positive review here (Thanks Jason!)

To Paris With Love

YSL Paris, original watercolor, 9" x 11"

When Audrey goes to Paris she takes along her Leopard... When John Travolta goes to Paris, in the new movie out today, he takes along "his precious energy drinks whose containers hide firearms. Corn syrup, caffeine and water it's not" the New York Times reports... French Girl in Paris, likes me to bring her some Essie Alure nail polish. Like all the best nail polishes don't already exist and originate in Paris? Who knew? Of course I take my watercolor paintbox. Not really that weird to bring along to Paris. BUT with all the art stores in Paris (homeland to artistes from the get-go), would you not think you could find a decent pad of tracing paper?

You can NOT find any tracing pads in all of Paris. Well I have not, so I bring my own nice, cheesy thin tracing paper pads from Utrecht art supply. C'est comme ca.

Here's a weird thing I like to bring to Paris - Japanese travel books on Paris! They are the BEST in my opinion.

There is not one word of English in these books, though they throw the occasional French word or two around. I like them for the illustrations and maps - they give me ideas. Go figure... Sue of Cottage Way of Life used to take "Bessie" with her to Paris(the size of a cat). "Why? So I could photograph her travels (I was thinking of writing a book). Bessie got lots of attention in Paris, I constantly heard, "La vache!" And everyone wanted to take a picture of her. I got to talk to a lot of people because of that cow...

So what do YOU bring to Paris? Do tell all s.v.p.

NPR liked From Paris With Love!!?

Whoops-this is not the trailer I watched at The NYTimes...ahem

The language is NSFW

Bonjour Week-end!