Thank you for taking me with you on your trip Lee - well that's what it feels like! How magical Paris looks and what a sumptuous view you have from your room. Regarding jet lag, I remember a horrendous trip I did back in the mid-80s (I think it was when I was staying at the Plaza in NYC and met up with you there). Beautiful suite, comfortable bed but absolutely no show of any shut-eye. Adrenalin pumping all hours and it seems you're just plain over-excited! I also echo your comments about housing for women in particular. I've been a founder-volunteer at readyset.org.au for the past 11 years providing clothing and coaching to men and women to help them re-enter the workforce and sadly, the basic human dignity and right to shelter is often lacking. Frightening to see how easily people can slide between the cracks while government's focus is elsewhere. If you haven't come across it, Letters to Camondo by Edmund de Waal provides wonderful descriptions of rue Monceau and its Parc which may be close to your hotel. Look forward to the next instalment. Carol
I am with you skipping down Parisienne streets what a lark it would be to lobby hop together! Nearly as good following your trail …. Next time you are hitting Europe should check out the various Mama Shelters Are you back home for Christmas? Much love. Rea
Hi Lee, I follow you on Insta but lovely to be able to read the back story to the pics. Agree with you about mask wearing but positively, although they are no longer mandated in NSW except on public transport and hospitals, I ventured out this morning for some Christmas shopping in Sydney and I'd say over 80% of the people around me were masked. Sanity prevails with the people but not the Government.
I also love trains and wish we could have a Mel-Syd fast train - in Melbourne we don't even have an airport rail link. Madness! Thank you for your wise words about energy being used for Climate change or older womens housing instead of complaining about wearing masks - agree with you on that too. sleep well.
Hey Lee - absolutely loving your dispatches. I have little moments of imagining I am travelling again as I recall the Cannes train station and time in Marseilles and back to Paris - maybe one day will be able to do this again. In the meantime . . . lots of love. xxx
Hi Lee. You probably don't remember me - we were at Melbourne University together and living in Janet Clarke Hall. Thanks for the lovely description of your Paris travels. I've only ever been there once but I have very fond memories. I totally empathize with you about the jet lag. I'm pretty much retired now, but I used to do a lot of travel for work and I never found a good way to avoid it. I particularly remember one trip across Canada with meetings every couple of days in a different time zone. I'm sure I left an impression of Australians as a bit dopey and overdosed on caffeine.
My travelling days are over, age has called a stop to it, but how nice to get back to Paris without any effort what so ever. Thanks Lee, loved the post and look forward to the next trip..Peace and joy...Maggie
Oh this brought tears to my eyes. I can just imagine the kitten and felt myself walking with you by the ruins of Notre Dame. I wasn't going to put up my Christmas tree this year, but this has made me change my mind. Thank you Lee! xx
Lee I just love your writing so much. Pure joy and big moments of recognition, especially about the beauty of Europe after not having visited for 2.5 years - and the jetlag! Worst ever in 25 years, but the intoxication of being back on the continent last month made it all worth it. Travel safe x
Looks amazing Lee ! How lucky you are to be there at such a special time of the year … Christmas ! For jet lag I use the NZ made Jet-EZE , they work a treat . You chew one on take off and landing and every two hours in between ( doesn’t matter if you miss some while you sleep) . Found them when I lived in New York after another travel writer recommended them . Give them a go ! Merry Christmas ! Dianne x
Thank you for that little gift Lee, a virtual Paris trip.
Lee, how jealous am I.
Love the trains and I am a mask wearer, and will continue to do so for a while.
Talk soon. safe travels, John
Thanks Lee, beautiful words and magical Paris ❤️
Love reading your words - such an escape!
Thank you for taking me with you on your trip Lee - well that's what it feels like! How magical Paris looks and what a sumptuous view you have from your room. Regarding jet lag, I remember a horrendous trip I did back in the mid-80s (I think it was when I was staying at the Plaza in NYC and met up with you there). Beautiful suite, comfortable bed but absolutely no show of any shut-eye. Adrenalin pumping all hours and it seems you're just plain over-excited! I also echo your comments about housing for women in particular. I've been a founder-volunteer at readyset.org.au for the past 11 years providing clothing and coaching to men and women to help them re-enter the workforce and sadly, the basic human dignity and right to shelter is often lacking. Frightening to see how easily people can slide between the cracks while government's focus is elsewhere. If you haven't come across it, Letters to Camondo by Edmund de Waal provides wonderful descriptions of rue Monceau and its Parc which may be close to your hotel. Look forward to the next instalment. Carol
I am with you skipping down Parisienne streets what a lark it would be to lobby hop together! Nearly as good following your trail …. Next time you are hitting Europe should check out the various Mama Shelters Are you back home for Christmas? Much love. Rea
Hi Lee, I follow you on Insta but lovely to be able to read the back story to the pics. Agree with you about mask wearing but positively, although they are no longer mandated in NSW except on public transport and hospitals, I ventured out this morning for some Christmas shopping in Sydney and I'd say over 80% of the people around me were masked. Sanity prevails with the people but not the Government.
I also love trains and wish we could have a Mel-Syd fast train - in Melbourne we don't even have an airport rail link. Madness! Thank you for your wise words about energy being used for Climate change or older womens housing instead of complaining about wearing masks - agree with you on that too. sleep well.
Hey Lee - absolutely loving your dispatches. I have little moments of imagining I am travelling again as I recall the Cannes train station and time in Marseilles and back to Paris - maybe one day will be able to do this again. In the meantime . . . lots of love. xxx
Thanks Lee, I love Paris, can’t wait to see it again in June, meanwhile I’ll enjoy your stories and keep dreaming.
Lovely read Lee. I find melatonin can take the edge off and France is one of the places you can buy it over the counter 👍
Best, Fiona Thorn
Hi Lee. You probably don't remember me - we were at Melbourne University together and living in Janet Clarke Hall. Thanks for the lovely description of your Paris travels. I've only ever been there once but I have very fond memories. I totally empathize with you about the jet lag. I'm pretty much retired now, but I used to do a lot of travel for work and I never found a good way to avoid it. I particularly remember one trip across Canada with meetings every couple of days in a different time zone. I'm sure I left an impression of Australians as a bit dopey and overdosed on caffeine.
Safe Travels
Chris Stevenson
My travelling days are over, age has called a stop to it, but how nice to get back to Paris without any effort what so ever. Thanks Lee, loved the post and look forward to the next trip..Peace and joy...Maggie
Oh this brought tears to my eyes. I can just imagine the kitten and felt myself walking with you by the ruins of Notre Dame. I wasn't going to put up my Christmas tree this year, but this has made me change my mind. Thank you Lee! xx
Lee I just love your writing so much. Pure joy and big moments of recognition, especially about the beauty of Europe after not having visited for 2.5 years - and the jetlag! Worst ever in 25 years, but the intoxication of being back on the continent last month made it all worth it. Travel safe x
Looks amazing Lee ! How lucky you are to be there at such a special time of the year … Christmas ! For jet lag I use the NZ made Jet-EZE , they work a treat . You chew one on take off and landing and every two hours in between ( doesn’t matter if you miss some while you sleep) . Found them when I lived in New York after another travel writer recommended them . Give them a go ! Merry Christmas ! Dianne x