Paris in July - Guest Post - From Megan

Laduree Paris

My friend Megan has been a long time supporter and encourager of me and my blog, and, although she would be quite humble about it, she inspires me to try cooking things I wouldn't normally consider. Megan is a brilliant cook, and my peer in gardening, and she's a dab hand at home handyman building. Here's her thoughtful contribution for Paris in July 2021. 

Hi Tamara, 

I haven’t really travelled and certainly not to Paris, but still said yes to writing a post for the annual Paris in July musings. Now that I’m turning pen to paper so to speak, I wonder what on earth I have to say that might be even a little interesting. It’s proving to be a somewhat scary exercise.

I suspect if I ever did actually travel to Paris it would happen in a similar way… a simple question “want to come?” answered with a “yes”. Then I’d do just what I’ve done now, I’d go researching. In the past few weeks  watched Paris https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/movies/18paris.html , pulled out some of my philosophy books and reacquainted myself with a French philosopher or two and done some pondering here and there.

My pondering has me thinking I’m a intellectual snob. If I imagine myself in Paris it is sitting in cafes listening to philosophical conversations about what is real and important in life. I’d only ever listen as everyone else would be more erudite and I’d be too frightened to say anything. I thought it would be wonderful and an experience I could never have elsewhere. 

Yet when I watched Paris, the university professor who had so much knowledge of Paris and its architectural heritage was a boor. He appeared just to be showing off, so that everyone would know that he just “knew”.  I didn’t like him much. He only seemed to come alive when dancing to music with his student lover.

So while I’m not likely to go searching for a young lover if I get to Paris, I think I will do much less meaning-seeking in cafes and much more laughter seeking over a glass of wine and a dance.

Megan

And Megan, I would indeed invite you to join me one day... and you will love some of the things you'll find. Without a doubt, knowing you're love of fine chocolate desserts, I would want to take you here.... one of the most iconic places to go to for a treats ... 

credit

Paris in July - Week 2

 

I think Paris smells not just sweet but melancholy and curious, sometimes sad but always enticing and seductive. She’s a city for the all senses, for artists and writers and musicians and dreamers, for fantasies, for long walks and wine and lovers and, yes, for mysteries.
M. J. Rose

I wanted to briefly reflect on what as a very short week 1 in Paris in July 2021, and to launch into week 2. Thank you to everyone who has already started posting - and such a diverse collection, again. 

 Mae, who has taken the time to comment on most other peoples posts, posted herself about real Paris Kitchens, and dream kitchens. I myself recall being surprised and amazed at how small and condensed the Paris Kitchens are. Mae, notably commented on my own post about the 'Paris Syndrome' with her thoughts about the 2 cities of Paris - the real one, and the other.... 

Jeanie shared about a series of mystery stories set in Paris - but also took the chance to share her own memories of walking those streets - doesn't it bring a story alive if you've been there before? 

Mel U - has jumped in a posted a few book reviews - but in particular, I wanted to acknowledge Mel U's Paris in July Badge (button) - it's so cute! 

NacyElin is in with a few more serious reviews - diving in deep with Honore Balzac, Playwright Eugene Labiche and a Zola! 

And I cant not comment on Stay's opening post for the month - she built the Tour Eifel out of her TBR pile!

And while many of us are reading, dreaming and viewing stories about Paris - I'm just so delighted to say we will get a window into the real Paris in the moment through our Parisienne friend, Kwarkito.... you must check out those posts! 

So, here we go - Week 2 commences. As MJ Rose has said (above) - may you find the joy and mystery of the smell of Paris this week!

Book: Paris Sydnrome

As I was getting in the mood for Paris in July, I wanted a light, easy and fun read.. and I found it! Written by an Australian author, Lisa Walker, Paris Syndrome is a fun, quirky and delightfully filled with lots of references to the things we all love about Paris. 

One of my favourite movies of all time is Sabrina, with Audrey Hepburn playing the Chauffeurs daughter . The premise of the movie is based on the myth that we all hope is true, that when in Paris, you will find your true self, you'll find true love, and you'll be blissfully happy..... 

Have you heard about the Paris syndrome before? its a phenomenon that rose to popular commentary about 10 years ago I think. "Paris Syndrome is a psychological condition experienced almost exclusively by Japanese tourists who are disappointed when the city of lights does not live up to their romantic expectations." (ref) 

This novel, Paris Syndrome, set in Brisbane, Australia, is a story of a young women with an obsession of all things Paris, and with travelling to Paris when she's old enough to with her best friend. However, this story is not not your typical young adult love story. There are as many twists in the plot as there are on the Seine... 

One of the quotes I found..... highlighting the infusion of a Paris obsession with the high emotions of young love.... 

Once on board I calm down. I sit out the front of the ferry and my mind roams. Here I am on my way to meet a handsome Frenchman at a French food festival . . . A gentle accordion plays in the background. My hair has transformed into an elfin bob and a playful breeze lifts the skirt of my chic but quirky dress that could only have been bought in a cobbled lane off the Boulevard Saint-Germain. As I arrive Alex is standing beside the river holding a handful of freshly picked poppies .

by the end of the novel, I'm totally in love with this Quirky young lady, her friends, and her joie de vivre! 

 

Paris in July - Week 1

 

Bienvenue a l'event de Paris en Juillet.

“A walk in Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and the point of life.”.......Thomas Jefferson

Welcome all! It's so exciting to have you all joining this month. Already I've been inspired by some of the posted ambitions. Mel U, The Reading Life, shared some of the books on their list - and I loved the idea of the Flâneuse, and I've downloaded that from Kindle. Have you been inspired by other's lists too? 

I'm hoping to discover what Thomas Jefferson says I can find.... I'm reading some history, some lighter reading, and I am looking forward to discovering more about myself on this walk through Paris. 

How will I host this event?  After this post, I will post the week start on Sunday Evenings. This post will include my summary of the weeks event, and then the Mr Linky Widget for you to post your weekly activities. Midweek, I will post my personal Paris activities. If you haven't yet signed up, I will keep adding new participants to the list on the side bar of my blog. 

Here's a fun quote I quite liked (I work in governance).... 

“How can anyone govern a nation that has 240 different kinds of cheese?”

Charles de Gaulle

Sign up to join Paris in July 2021

What does Paris mean to you? 

"Paris is alluring for so many reasons — the incredible culinary adventures you can have, its lens into history through its architecture and art museums, its walkability and world-class shopping. There is a lot to see and do in Paris and first-timers can have a hard time fitting it all in. "

Here, at Paris in July blogging central, we are connecting you with other lovers of Paris through the month long blogging event. Over the past 10 years, participants have used this event to post about new recipes, favourite holiday memories, best books on Paris, set in Paris, about Parisiennes, music from Paris, best cocktails found in Paris, favourite walks in Paris.... almost anything about Paris or France. 

We cant really go to Paris right now, but here we will share many different sides of our love of french things, and Paris. 

Below I will share the Sign up Mr Linky. The widget will allow you to share you first Paris in July post, so this is a good time for you to outline some of your hopes and dream and intentions for the event.  Then during July,  most sundays, I will post a weekly Mr Linky for you to share links to your contributions.  This means, you will be able to easily follow others in Paris in July, and share your love.  At the end of July, I will do my best to provide a summary and links.  

My intentions: 

• invite some friends to offer a guest post here at Thyme-for-Tea
• a visit to Sydney Opera House to see Le Petite Prince
• a teen novel about love and all things Paris
• learning more about the history of Paris
• celebrating le quatorze juliet
• reliving Amelie, the movie
• trying to read more in French. 

<script type='text/javascript' src='//www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Tully14&postid=6_14_2021&meme=11981'></script>

Launching Paris in July 2021

In 2010. when my friend Karen and I decided to come together to host a blogging experience to celebrate our love of all things French and Parisian – “Paris In July” was born. We both shared a deep interest and love of the French culture and way of life, & we wanted to create a community event to celebrate the city, the architecture and the food, wine, fashion, language, art, literature, cinema, culture and history. Little did we know then, that Paris in July would still be running in 2021.... and it was never a possibility in our minds, that we would only be visiting France virtually while the world experienced a pandemic. 

The aim of the month is, and always has been, to celebrate our French experiences through reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking and eating all things French!

There are no rules or targets in terms of how much you need to do or complete in order to be a part of this experience – just blog about anything French and you can join in! Some ideas might include;

• reading a French themed book – fiction or non-fiction,
  
• watching a French movie,
  
• listening to French music,
  
• cooking French food,
  
• experiencing French, art, architecture and travel
• remembering a real french holiday........

Now, launching Paris in July 2021, I'm sharing with you my collection of buttons you may use to join your posts with others.... you may also create your own. (The images I have used here have been sourced from free commons and attribution can be provided.) 

I will be adding Mr Linky next weekend, where you can sign up and share your intentions. You will note that I have created a space on my blog to keep a record of 2021 participants so you can check in on each other during the event. 

Too encourage you to start to imagine what you might contribute to Paris in July 2021, I'll share this quote....  and can anyone guess where this is from? 

All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.

Is it time for a virtual trip to Paris?

 

I think Paris smells, and not just sweet but melancholy and curious, sometimes sad but always enticing and seductive. She’s a city for all the senses, for artists and writers and musicians and dreamers, for fantasies, for long walks and wine and lovers and yes, for mysteries.” — M.J. Rose

For those of us who have memories of Paris, and even those with fantasies of visiting the magic city, July is our annual virtual trip. A time we dig deep and find things to share with our blogging friends about why we love Paris. Books, art, theatre, music, food, wine, walking in parks, poetry, films..... it doesnt matter. We will enjoy sharing the virtual and vicarious visit to Paris. 

Watch this space, as my blog gets ready to host yet another year of Paris in July.