Au revoir

The trip is hours from being officially over. Bags packed, CNN on in the room awaiting the taxi. Dinner last night was perfectly French at Allard, the 1935 bistrot that Alain Ducasse has taken over. It was delicious and old fashioned and Brad got his Ile de Flottante.

We walked around, took in the sites and were reminded how 11 days is the perfect amount of time away. We begin to miss our mundane routines and our beloved cat. We are creatures of habit.

Relais Christine is special little hotel. It was more special 20 years ago when it catered to the French and was a cloistered little gem on a back alley where you would never be found. It has been renovated, it has a Guerlain spa, and it caters to Americans. A large group from Memphis loudly greeted us when we checked in. Not what we were expecting. But it is a lovely place to return to, English is spoken by everyone, and it still retains some French charm.

We brought a bit of Chazy to Paris at Lisa’s suggestion. She spoke a bit of French, loved French poetry but never made it to Paris. She came in a Balenciaga bag and now lies in the Jardin des Tuileries in front of the sculpture Nymph with a view of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in front of the palace. A fitting spot.

So mission accomplished on all fronts. Chazy laid to rest, 20th anniversary well celebrated, sites seen, food eaten, souls replenished and we’re ready to com home. Oh, and I have succumbed — I’m wearing sneakers to the airport. Bon voyage!