The Situation by Francese Glasoe Lila;

Author:Francese, Glasoe Lila;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Unapologetic Voice House LLC
Published: 2020-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21, Brussels & Paris, 2011

FACE THE TRUTH

“OMG, You have to be kidding me!” I scream as I open my birthday gift from Carolyn. She has made me a homemade card with boxes to check on the sights we will see and experiences we will share while in EUROPE! Carolyn surprises me with a “sister trip.” I pick up the ballpoint pen she has placed in the box with the checklist. Eat French Fries in Brussels - check! Visit the Museum of Chocolate - check! Sip Rosé on the rooftop of the Pompidou Museum - check! Shoe shop in Paris - check! I am given specific instructions for the trip -Carolyn’s ideas about travel attire, priorities, and planning. Carolyn insists I not bring tennis shoes or a fanny pack. I don’t even own these items, so I tell her not to worry. Carolyn insists that we avoid looking too American, even commenting that if someone believes we are Scandinavians (ancestrally we are, so it makes sense that this could happen), we should not disagree. Because Carolyn learned French in Minnesota, I wonder if her French perhaps has a Scandinavian sound to it. Carolyn informs me she will be wearing her black leather knee-length boots. So I pack some similar boots she bought me in France a few years back. She shows me how the French women always wear their scarves and how to taste really good French wine. Apparently, we need to tell our waiters that we want wine the French like, not what Americans prefer. I plan to wear a scarf daily and revel in some spectacular red wine.

Carolyn’s husband is normally the map holder when they travel, and because he is not accompanying us, I am given this job. I quickly find, however, that Carolyn needs very little mapping help in Brussels or Paris. She has traveled here many times for business. She takes me to many of her favorite places – great little boutiques in Brussels where up-and-coming designers sell new designs you can’t find anywhere else. Tiny cafés where locals eat and incredible food is served with beautiful presentation (Au 35 is my favorite in Paris.). I learn espresso accompanies champagne quite well when one is suffering from jet lag but socializing and selling art. I am introduced to Parisian-made shoes that are only available at a small shop in Paris not far from Notre Dame.

The final night we are in Paris, having had a long but wonderful day at the Musee d’Orsay, Carolyn treats me to dinner at L’ Atelier de Joel Robuchon near our hotel in the Saint– Germain. Our walk through the sixth district is brilliantly colorful. Fruit and flower stands overflow with tantalizing scents and bold palettes. The restaurant seems to pop out of the darkness as we arrive for our reservation. The yellow gold neon sign romantically lights the black facade of the entry. Inside, red barstools become our perches. Red glass candle holders emit a warm glow on the countertop as we are seated looking into the kitchen.

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