Travel: Deja vu in Paris

It is incredibly surreal to visit places that I've read about and seen on television and in movies for decades. I experienced a very serious case of deja vu in certain places that can only be attributed to my intense visual memory. It was wonderful to be able to go to France. I was only in Paris two and a half weeks but it was so packed with activity it felt like I was there much longer and I felt very much at home there by the end of my trip.

What can I say about Paris that has not already been said? It is beautiful and charming and most definitely enchanting. One visit is certainly not enough unless that visit lasts a year or so.

There are so many charming corners in Paris and it is so easy to happen upon a piece of history or a hidden gem. Literally, randomly stumbled upon a cemetery went in and one of my favorite author's sons (albeit illegitimate) grave was there. Alexandre Dumas fils, son of the famous author Alexandre Dumas. Dumas' books have been my companions on several trips. Reading the Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Christo helped me pass quite a few nights in middle school as well.

Here lie the remains Alexander Dumas Jr.

A beautiful Wood workers shop

The Kingdom Hall

The English congregation I was serving with was named after La Defense but it was based in the Courbevoie area. It was formed in August 2015 by combining three English groups that were hosted by French congregations. There were around 67 publishers plus people studying the Bible who attended meetings and there were 10 full time volunteer ministers (regular pioneers). There are quite a few families with children. I had a chance to help someone with their Bible study while I was there (the student was fluent in English , but the teacher was not) and it was a privilege to be able to help.

The weather in Paris was rather chilly when I was there, but the warm congregation more than compensated for the cold temperatures. It was a joy to work in the ministry and such a privilege to help with search work.

L'as Du fallafel
in the Jewish Quarter

Fallafel and frites
Yes that is my suitcase in the lower right corner

The very first day in Paris I saw the Eiffel tower and the Galleries La Fayette and a few thrift shops. And my first meal was at L'as du Fallafel in the Jewish Quarter of Le Marais. Not at all the typical French meal that most people think of when pondering on the merits of French cuisine, but it was just the meal I needed after a long flight with a foodless layover.

The apartment I stayed in was in an area called Nanterre. There was a grocery store up the street and a big open air market only a few steps from the apartment building. You could buy just about anything in that market. They had clothing and jewelry, fresh meat and bread, makeup and kitchen goods and fabric for sari and hijab.

I did a lot of walking in the ministry work. Around 4-6 miles a day according to the pedometer. The city is relatively flat however, not all apartment buildings had elevators. And a few times the elevators were so busy we ended up using the stairs even though we were on the eighth floor in one building. I also had the opportunity to preach at their public witnessing carts. That was on the list of things I wanted to do while there.

Hank Pizza

Treats at Vegan Folie

The food of course was delicious. I only ate out a few times, but when I did boy was it a treat! Hanks vegan Burger, Hanks pizzas, Chipotle, Flams and L'as du Falafel. The French have a fascination with "american" food, but of course they take it and make it 100% tastier and 150% healthier. There are so many places that are perfectly suited for a plant based or wheat free diet. I was never at a loss for options. Along with the foods that are naturally plant based there were plant based versions of all the typical (stereotypical?) French delights. I was fully satisfied checking things off my foodie bucket list with cheese, croissants and chocolate.

But mostly I cooked. The kitchen of the apartment was small but more than adequately equipped. Access to fresh and affordable fruits and veggies was great. I had some Rose mushrooms that were amazing. I didn't even know such a variety existed. They were a blush pink color. I've never seen that variety before. And French lentils are really yummy. I will not laugh at them anymore. I've seen them in the stores here in Pittsburgh, but they are smaller and more expensive than the regular brown lentils. They are tiny but flavorful little things and especially good prepared with sauteed onions and mushroom with a finishing drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. If you're into that kind of thing (btw Trader Joe's has them pre-cooked at a reasonable price.).

Spice Specialist
Market in Versailles

With all that I ate the walking helped to counter balance and I ended up coming home lighter than I went. The walking and public transport was also in line with local need since the pollution was really bad. The French government was blaming Germany. They were sure the winds were pushing pollution from Germany to France. Plausible explanation, but there is a ridiculous amount of vehicles on the road in Paris. Since the pollution was dangerously high all public transport and the electric vehicles near the train station were free a few days during my stay.

In the evening and on Sunday afternoons there was time to sight see. Montmarte, Passage des Panoramas ( the oldest of the covered passages of Paris located in the 2nd arrondissement ), Arc du Triomphe, Louvre, Paris Opera, Paris Disney and the Versailles Castle along with the large grounds which includes the smaller estates like Petit Trianon and the beautiful gardens. Even in the winter the gardens of Versailles are a sight to be seen. I would like to see them in the Spring or Summer when everything is in bloom. My visit to the Versailles Palace was on their free day which is the first Sunday of every month.