François in Christmas Drag giving Simone a twirl!
Paris itself is amazingly lit up all the time and during this season it is incredible. My camera isn't the best for night photos, so I'll only post a couple to give you a sense of it all.
It's pretty wild how many people walk the boulevard to see the lights. I could hardly move. All I wanted was one photo. Oh, and there are no Christmas or after Christmas sales here. The holiday is much more commercial in the States. People are happy for a bit of time off from regular schedules. Many people travel to visit family and friends. It's festive in a different way.
I had a bit of holiday magic the evening I decided to wander around the Champs D'Elysee. I was looking for a club an acquaintance wanted me to check out near the L'Arc de Triomphe. It was extremely cold that evening and I had already been walking for 3 hours when I finally found it. The lights were out and a sign on the door said closed til 2 Jan. Not to be undone, I decided to go to a piano bar I had passed by several times in St Michel. I had been wanting to stop in, but I was always heading somewhere else when in the neighborhood. Le Relais de la Huchette (www.relaisdelahuchette.com) is in an area similar to Pike Place, except every establishment is open. Lots of bars, clubs, restaurants, & tourists on little cobblestoned alley ways. I asked the cute bartender, Ivan, if the pianist allowed people to sing with him. Ivan spent some time in Miami so his English is impeccable. He told me to sing if I wanted. Well... I thought it best to introduce myself to the pianist, Chris, first. All went over well. Chris has a different repertoire than I do, but we found something in common. The owner was present that night and asked if I wanted to sing New Year's Eve. Yes! Another venue in which to spread a little Katt joy!!! I left there on cloud nine headed to one of my favorite jazz jam clubs, Caverne des Oubliettes. When I first arrived in Paris, I thought I'd be able to locate a Seattle jazz singer, Frederic Tuxx, who had moved here 10 years earlier. Everywhere I asked people knew of him, but couldn't help me connect with him. I even wrote to mutual friends in the States with no luck. So I let it go knowing I would see him one day. I walked into the basement where the jammin' was happening and who's head was in front of me? Tuxx! I wasn't certain so I followed behind him til I could tap him on the shoulder and get a look at his face. Oh my God, the look on his face when he turned to see me staring up at him was priceless! He spends most of his time in the South of France which is why I couldn't find him. Ahhh... magic!!! He was surprised at how many people already knew me and how many of the hip places I had found. You know me: woman on a mission!
A small street near my house.
The Champs D'Elysee has showy lights in the trees.
It's pretty wild how many people walk the boulevard to see the lights. I could hardly move. All I wanted was one photo. Oh, and there are no Christmas or after Christmas sales here. The holiday is much more commercial in the States. People are happy for a bit of time off from regular schedules. Many people travel to visit family and friends. It's festive in a different way.
I had a bit of holiday magic the evening I decided to wander around the Champs D'Elysee. I was looking for a club an acquaintance wanted me to check out near the L'Arc de Triomphe. It was extremely cold that evening and I had already been walking for 3 hours when I finally found it. The lights were out and a sign on the door said closed til 2 Jan. Not to be undone, I decided to go to a piano bar I had passed by several times in St Michel. I had been wanting to stop in, but I was always heading somewhere else when in the neighborhood. Le Relais de la Huchette (www.relaisdelahuchette.com) is in an area similar to Pike Place, except every establishment is open. Lots of bars, clubs, restaurants, & tourists on little cobblestoned alley ways. I asked the cute bartender, Ivan, if the pianist allowed people to sing with him. Ivan spent some time in Miami so his English is impeccable. He told me to sing if I wanted. Well... I thought it best to introduce myself to the pianist, Chris, first. All went over well. Chris has a different repertoire than I do, but we found something in common. The owner was present that night and asked if I wanted to sing New Year's Eve. Yes! Another venue in which to spread a little Katt joy!!! I left there on cloud nine headed to one of my favorite jazz jam clubs, Caverne des Oubliettes. When I first arrived in Paris, I thought I'd be able to locate a Seattle jazz singer, Frederic Tuxx, who had moved here 10 years earlier. Everywhere I asked people knew of him, but couldn't help me connect with him. I even wrote to mutual friends in the States with no luck. So I let it go knowing I would see him one day. I walked into the basement where the jammin' was happening and who's head was in front of me? Tuxx! I wasn't certain so I followed behind him til I could tap him on the shoulder and get a look at his face. Oh my God, the look on his face when he turned to see me staring up at him was priceless! He spends most of his time in the South of France which is why I couldn't find him. Ahhh... magic!!! He was surprised at how many people already knew me and how many of the hip places I had found. You know me: woman on a mission!
Cashiu will sing New Year's Eve too.
Willie, Pierre, & Me up to no good til the wee hours.
As the end of 2007 quickly approaches and my Gypsy Year is coming to a conclusion, I am so grateful I have had such wonderful adventures and met so many incredible people. I'm not certain what's next, but I am charged with optimism that 2008 will continue to fill my world with song, laughter, & love. I open my heart to it all!!
As always, I love you & hope your life is just what you wish it to be.
As always, I love you & hope your life is just what you wish it to be.
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