Lost Hope
by Lena
“Paris was where the 20th Century was” – Gertrude Stein
~
Paris! Paris, Paris…
I was in love with you, even though my heels never knew your streets, they yearned to kiss your every cobblestone.
In love with the freedom, the beauty, history, the uninhibited, elegant, feminine and ageless women.
Style and Art.
Fell in love with your sexual revolution, artists, music, champagne coup glasses, pencil skirts, gloves and pearls.
~ Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ~
In love with your Joie De Vivre inside of your Je Ne Sais Quoi.
I was yours, I was in love…
“French people lost hope in tomorrow” were the words of Alain ~ wonderful Frenchman who was born in Paris. He sat next to Mr. Bond and I at La Coupole, one of the most favorite joints of Hemingway.
Alain was sitting right next to our table alone. I usually sense people well. He had this very heavy air, also noticed incredible sadness in his eyes. Decided to start a conversation with him. He was visiting Paris for his grandson’s Birthday. Alain said that he was forced to move, now spends time between South of France and Spain.
It was my first night in Paris and couldn’t understand why he said those words. I will never forget the sadness. He was in mourning. Every day after that night, I kept bringing myself back to that table, our conversation and his eyes.
As a woman who doesn’t even own a pair of jeans, wears sneakers in gym only, loves to dress herself in revealing outfits and is very comfortable with her sexuality… I had a hard time in Paris. That’s right ladies! My corset-like top, which wasn’t revealing at all, was met with whispers and shaking of the heads… (Men’s heads were quite happy though)
I’m sorry, ladies, but isn’t this a city where sex kittens like Brigitte Bardot made history with her… eyes, of course?
“Oh, I can see your nipples in that top” one of my girlfriend’s response was when she saw what I wore for this New Years Eve in New York…
“Darling, that’s what they’re there for. And until my tits are up to my knees, I’m allowed to wear tops like that.”
You know, I do actually own a bra (surprise!) , but as it turns out I’m more French than French women… I still believe in Liberte.. Liberte of my soul. My whole life has been all about Liberte, especially when it comes to my tits. (Mr. Bond, thank you for not pressuring me to wear one… and you’re welcome, honey! … I’ve saved a lot of bucks for you over the years) Who needs a wonder-bra, when you can wander without one!…
France is no longer full of carefree, sexual and confident women. Women don’t walk or swim topless even in South of France. They got replaced by full on military men, (I’m sorry, are we in Iraq?) thieves and beggars.
Was a witness to a full on robbery.. a bunch of bags were stolen from Japanese tourists. Liberte also got replaced by incredible amounts of women in full on burkas. Don’t get me wrong, I love that culture, have many close friends who are Muslimand always covered in a Muslim country… always! You will always see tan lines. But to be walking in a corset in Paris, of all places, amongst women who are covered from head to toe, made me very uncomfortable. Sexy outfits and risqué attitudes, are replaced with oppression. I deeply respect Muslim culture, but could not help feeling oppressed by the energy that hangs so thick above Paris and other French cities. Well, once upon a time, France occupied Morocco… karma is a bitch… C’est la vie…
Women’s faces were not the only faces that were covered. As it turned out, the face of Paris – Eiffel Tower was also “covered” for several days – workers were all on strike and I never got the chance to go up…
When it rained, I didn’t get to see a “Midnight in Paris” like moment – when the couple is falling in love on the bridge and walking under the rain..and I believe the actress was bra-less. For someone who has Hyperhidrosis dancing / running under the rain is a true Liberte! As a matter of fact, I think Mr. Bond and I counted about 2 couples who were in love, happy, kissing and holding hands. (Probably tourists)
Versailles, R.I.P….
wow. Fountains don’t work, construction everywhere you look, run down gardens, weird modern art pieces everywhere (I’m sorry, are we at MOMA?) They made a Disney show “Fantasia” out of fountains and room of mirrors, that they sell for 40 euros and up. Ladies and Gents, you don’t have to go to Disneyland now… you can buy a ticket to a “music fountains” show in Versailles…. what a shame.
Dear Versailles, you should take a lesson or two from Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg – its fountains and gardens are incredible and actually do work during the opening hours. Peterhof kicks your ass on so many levels. No wonder, Napoleon came with his small croissant to Mother Russia…
Thankfully, Mr. Bond is a member of one of the private clubs in Los Angeles and we are able to visit “sister clubs” around the world. One of those clubs in Paris, takes your breath away. It’s members are politicians and members of royal families. Gardens here are considered to be the most beautiful gardens in all of Paris. This place is what Versailles used to be… Plus, we got sit on the furniture and sip on Daiquiri’s. This place actually was an absolute highlight of my days in Paris.
Madame et Monsieu, welcome to Cercle de l’Union Interalliée…
Mr. Bond and I did enjoy great food at many of the “it” places of Paris. Unfortunately the feeling of love in the city of love is replaced with desperation. The whole city stank of it pretty bad. Customer service is terrible and Paris makes Uganda wifi connection first class. I also couldn’t help but notice a lot of unhappy, puritan shopaholics with grim faces. I’m not a big fan of that activity so I just posed for one shot by Tiffany’s.
Another place that I liked in Paris was George V Hotel.
Although, badly dressed, classless Russian/Ukrainian hookers by the bar, made me a bit ashamed for one of my own countries. In Russia, we have this wonderful saying “It’s good in a place where we are not”.
~
I always thought, that once I visit Paris, I will never leave… Mr. Bond was well aware of that. Would I want to live in today’s Paris? No. Je suis désolé. But I would absolutely want to live in Paris in 1920’s. Remind me to ask Woody Allen where that “midnight staircase” is in Paris…
~
Yes, Alain, some other people and this cat at the bar, might have lost hope and are in mourning for France…
I’m not! I haven’t lost hope or my love for you, France…
~
La Liberté ou la Mort!
___________________________
The woman behind the words…
We were there in July and I loved it. We saw a rager outside the Hotel De Ville the first night. The dress was conservative as it is everywhere, but there was a lot of gorgeous lace. My bionic boobs are nipple-less anyway!!!!
XxooSusie
[…] * Ran under the rain in Paris. […]
All the pictures really beautiful 🙂
a great post on today’s REAL paris. i suppose we all have the same ‘romantic’ image of what paris supposed to be. sadly, time has passed and places do follow the changes in era. i get the same feeling with certain overseas cities that i once fell in love with. it’s not the same anymore for many places around the world. especially when the world we live in is getting more and more internationalized and modernized. unlike you, i’ve lost hope and fell out of love with certain cities i once in love with. it’s great to see you stayed your true self despite the many unfortunate findings in the city of love.
Friends who went back after about 15 years also were disappointed with the atmosphere. They felt Paris has lost her charm and is instead, grimy and passé. Let’s hope your ‘lost hope,’ isn’t lost forever Lena. Love this post as well.
So perfectly captured.
I love all the pictures, but the first picture was especially astonishing. Amazing post. I want to visit Paris one day.
I love reading all your posts. It seems to me you brought a bit of the old glamour back to Paris, even if only briefly. Still, I’d love to go there one day and make my own impressions.
love this post!!
My favorite city…Paris!
As always a touching piece filled with ‘joie de vivre’ and humor. Paris may not be up to snuff but Lena certainly is! By the way you’d would look good in BJs and they are comfortable!
Cheerio, Jane
I’m jealous. I was there a few times but you saw the whole of the moon. Well done!
Love love love thanks for sharing
Wow, I love the pictures you take and the way you write. I hope I get to travel like you one day =)
First time, stayed up in Montmartre in a one bedroom apartment, climbed a thousand stairs, rode the metro there and back every day. Saw what you did, but still there’s still a Paris worth knowing in unexpected cracks and corners of the city, early morning on the steps of the Sacre Couer, meeting Dominique Pinon one evening coming home on the metro, an afternoon with a bottle of wine underneath the willows at the tip of Île de la Cité, a rainstorm in the Jardin Luxembourg or getting lost in the backstreets of Montmartre. But the Hermitage still beats the Louvre hands down. 🙂
Good read! Can’t help but wonder which city today encapsulates the joie de vivre of “old” Paris.
can relate…well, after hearing all that about the ‘romantic city’ on earth, made it there back in 2009, alas, came back unimpressed …but for the architecture and city planning !
Oh! Paris… one of my dream counrty to visit soon. I really enjoyed reading all your articles, love the poems and all the pictures. It inspires me especially I was about to give up writing in my blog although, I still really like it very much. But,–*Rolling eyes* Urgh! suffering English grammar and verbal diarrhea. 🙂 But you lift me up! Thank you very much for following my blog, its happiness and you truly inspires me to continue writing. Big Hugs ❤ God bless
Another wonderful post!
Great post – a Frenchman recently stated to me “today’s Paris is no longer like before,” but I love Paris and stay hopeful that the more things change, the more they stay the same (Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.)
You are the queen of Liberté! 😉 so refreshing.
I haven’t been to Paris and now you make me hesitate. I do not want to see Disneyland or any cartoonish behaviors there.
Enjoyed reading the post…
Favorite line – “Who needs a wonder-bra, when you can wander without one!” – just cracked me up. Someplace where you can be yourself without judgement.
Yeah, parisinfo.com – chew on that. El Levon just updated your Home page. Me, I head for the Algerian quarter. After they’ve glared at you for an hour, they drag you inside, lock the door and the hardest thing to do is buy a drink.
Loved the post and the pictures… where there is a smile there is always hope! 🙂 Joe
Sadly, all things change. Paris is a wonderful place and a bit more lively later in spring, but between my last two visits I noticed quite a change. BUT there is always hope and dreams.
I agree – the French women are not the most lovely, but they are sensual and quintessentially feminine.
We are off to France in the summer, one of my favorite places.
Great story Lena)
Oh, how I miss Paris. I blogged about Paris last week (the food! the views! I’m swooning….). Thanks for the lovely flashback. Can’t wait to return!
Wonderful post 🙂