Taken: 20 January 2020
I worry that my memory that I can recall now will fade away someday, so here I am writing about this long day. It was a day that took us to some place featured in the movies, from Moulin Rouge (2001) to Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001) and An American in Paris (1951) to 2 Days in Paris (2007).
From Montparnasse, it took two three trains to get to Montmartre. Before starting the walk, my mother stopped at Monoprix to get some reusable shopping bags to gift as souvenirs. After that, we stood across from the Moulin Rouge. It was only a few months ago when we saw the movie and Broadway show. We went up Rue Lepic and ventured into the Moulin Rouge shop. We went out with a souvenir and some pins. The lady behind the counter was excited to hear about the Broadway show being a success.
A block from there was Café des 2 Moulins. We thought about going inside, but there was a creepy man outside the premise who looked like he was about to mug us or worse. We left with him following us a few feet until he grave up. At the end of the block, we made a left to see Theo van Gogh’s apartment. We went back right, taking another left up Rue Tholezé. It was steep, but it was worth it for seeing another windmill and some dogs. We kept walking northeast until we saw Lapin Agile. There was a vent that looked like a mailbox, and my mother suggested that I put my postcard in it.
We walked down to Rue Cortot, passing in front of Musée de Montmartre. We had no plans stopping elsewhere. My mother was relying on my sense of sight and direction to take us to Sacré Cœur. The road itself was reminiscent to a scene from American – though no filmed in Paris, the street we passed through did look like the place Jerry Mulligan was selling his paintings.
We eventually made it to Sacre Cœur. Before going to the church, we stopped at a souvenir shop to find a magnet with Le Chat Noir. We ended up buying some small trays, one with a boulangerie is on my desk with violette bonbons and baby’s breathe. While we were at the counter, a trio of female Korean tourists were leaving. One of them tripped while leaving, and the cashier had a reserved laugh. We were amused by him being amused. Going up the road by the police, we stood by some love locks and saw the church. We didn’t go inside, instead opting to enjoy the view.
We went down like Nino Quincampoix until we saw the carousel sans telephone booth. I think I mentioned it once in a previously on my homework video logs, but probably not here. I’d eventually hear “La Valse d’Amélie” play on the Bryant Park carousel a month later on my way to school – incredible luck! We went down to the metro station to take a train to Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, which you’ve probably seen in my post about Colette’s grave. Outside the cemetery is a cafe/bar/restaurant called “Le Purgatoire”, which I find fitting for its location. While I paid a visit to the French novelist, my mother paid a visit to Jim Morrison.
After that, I believe we took the train to Hotel de Ville, where we exited near Carrousel, Belle Epoque. Behind it was a building that was advertising an NBA exhibition game that was to happen in Paris – if only we had 2020 vision. To our surprise, we’d eat at McDonalds for our late lunch. The ordering system was contactless, and we sat in the basement floor. Observing the people around, it was the usual with people working on their laptops and people socializing over burgers.
Once we were satisfied, we browsed through thrift shops. A number of my favorite blouses came from the Kilo Shop in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, but my favorite blue vest with pockets came from the one here in Hotel de Ville. A splendid day turning to night ended with us a walk on Montparnasse Boulevard, crêpes, and Chinese take-away – or may that was the day after, but I know I had a galette from two sisters from Bretagne that day. I didn’t take a lot of pictures other than those I’d think would help me with my research for Life in Primroses. My other objective for this trip was just to enjoy, which I did. I enjoyed it way more as the rest of 2020 went on.
Sometime on the way to Montmartre, I snapped a photo of a trash can at Châtelet. The rim has a label that congratulates the person for disposing their waste properly. I think that’s a good attitude to carry along.
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Dearest Reverie 