Paris Days
Posted in Photography, Travel
Most days it seems like it didn’t happen. It was an aeon ago and I was a different person then. So many things have changed now. I had grand schemes of coming home and writing up my adventures in luscious flowing prose that would transport you all to the exact cafe I was standing in when I ordered my first coffee, or to the crepe vendor who rolled my first real Parisian crepe. Picturing the look of intense fascination on my face as nimble hands carefully poured a thin layer of batter to the hot plate, smoothed it over, flipped it gently, and applied a generous helping of nutella before folding corner over corner and handing it to me without pomp or ceremony. Imparting the feeling that it was truly something special, not because it was the most amazing thing I’d ever eaten, but because for once I wasn’t living someone else’s experiences. It was me, and I was there.
Of course the natural thing happened. I came home, got back to the reality of work and life in Perth, and besides a few lazy uploads of photos, didn’t ever expand on the great time I had, the people I met, or the scenes of Parisian life I had acted out before me on a daily basis.
Which is indeed a great shame, because as short as my time was in Paris, I feel like I squeezed every little bit out of it that I possibly could. And I still think back very fondly of my time spent wandering aimlessly down Rue’s and Boulevards and trudging through Jardins… Being asked for directions by other hapless travellers and the occasional local, and being laughed at by old ladies who realised I was completely lost.
I could tell you about Berthillon ice cream and sorbet, drinking many a caraf of Provençal Rosé, street side crepe vendors of every description, duck confit, tart tartin, roasted Camembert drizzled with honey and slices of apple, steak tartare, bone marrow, cheap but expensive champagne at the top of the Eiffel tower (that I didn’t order), macarons, jamon sandwiches, foie gras shops, wild dogs, being bored out of my mind in the Louvre, loving the Pompidou. Being taken to dinner by famous food writers to 200 year old brasseries.
I could also go on about the providence and connective powers of the internet. How friends across the other side of the world put me in touch with lovely local dining companions, suggested restaurants for me to try, and showed me some of the hidden sights of this city that holds so much potential.
But really, the images can speak for themselves. So please have a look through my little slice of the life Parisien.
![Yadh Elyes inside Cafe Saluna](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3620611835_2786e19c37_s.jpg "Possibly thinking up an oud based rendition of "smoke gets in your eyes"")
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wow, how depressing… that was about a year ago now! it all seems almost forgotten!
Oh Matt {sigh} Paris in the summer…it has been a few years, but this brought it all back! Few words and gorgeous pics only served to remind me why I want you for Food Photographer in cookbook!
Matt,
I love the image of the nails and I am sure the image ‘beware the infinity’ could be used to sell photographic equipment.
Thank you for sharing these 157,000 (plus plus) words on Paris. Gorgeous. Not to say that my photographic skill is anywhere near yours, but I wish I had back then, when I went there, the eye (and the tongue) that I have now.
Awesome! Looks like you had a great time :)
Thanks for posting all of these. Seeing your Paris photos again transported me back to my honeymoon days in the city – not a bad start to a Monday morning. Glad you enjoyed the experience.
Beautiful photos. I think it best to peruse the food ones a little more closely after lunch when they’re less likely to make me bust into the nutella jar.
(by the way, I’ve nominated you for an award. You can check out the details on my blog http://holdthebeef.blogspot.com/ )
Funny how when you’re traveling or even eating out, the effort of blogging about or documenting an occasion somehow seems to take away from the occasion itself.
But thanks for sharing these photos and your thoughts. Brings back memories.
Dan
Casual Kitchen
I’ve been waiting for this blog :-)
Love Paris.
love it.
Ah, I’ve come back to this post a couple of times, daydreaming over your photos. I’ve never been to Paris, and can’t believe that you got to eat with Clotilde! Lucky thing!
Anyway, have nominated you for award: http://www.tummyrumble.net/2009/07/the-kreativ-blogger-award/
Noice, welcome back Mr Blogger (lazy bum)
I’ve had this post open all morning now, it’s a great compilation of all things I miss about Paris! Looks like you had a fantastic time! Thanks for sharing :)
looking forward to going to Paris someday and experience this deliciously served food. Yum!
Beautiful Matt. We’ll be there late April 2010 – any suggestions on must-eats, good restaurants and bars?