à bientôt!
March 6th, 2008 by Kristin Green
I’m off to tie the knot and have a voyage de noces (that’s French for honeymoon/wedding trip I’m pretty sure if the online translation site can be trusted) in Paris. I’m armed with a bookcase’s worth of slick guidebooks that we’ll probably ignore in favor of just having a look at what’s around the next corner and through the park gate. And I’ll also be packing copies of letters – more like a carnet de voyage from a 20 year old Margorie Van Wickle in Paris to her mother, Bessie in 1903. When Margorie visited Paris she found it to be quite affordable – “…we went shopping in the ‘Bon Marche’ – a most facinating store where nothing costs anything“. Alas, we might not find that to be the case now… About the dangers of walking in Paris she says, “You get out into the middle of a Rue or Boulevarde and every carriage within hailing distance makes a rush for you…” And by her recommendation we can skip the Pantheon but must see “the Church of St. Etienne du Mont – the most charming one in Paris – I think. It is very old – but Oh so graceful and artistic. It made up for any amount of stupid Pantheons.” Have I mentioned how much I love the archives? I didn’t find any pictures of Margorie in Paris (no doubt there are some – just not scanned in yet) but here she is with her new husband George Lyon in 1914.
I’m hoping it’s spring in Paris already and I’m leaving just as it is starting to emerge here. In two weeks time, who knows how far along she’ll be. I’ll make sure to come back and I hope you do too! Stay tuned…
March 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Kris: Congratulations! Have a great and memorable time! We will all be looking for those spring Paris pictures! If you have time that is!
Layanee, Thank you! (I took sooooo many pictures… !) -kris
March 6th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
May your marriage be as blessed and happy as my own!
Thank you, Chookie! -kris
March 7th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Congratulations, Kris! Have a wonderful honeymoon in Paris, you lucky dog.
Thanks, Pam! -kris
March 7th, 2008 at 12:07 am
Congratulations!
How romantic – Springtime in Paris
Keep a look out for Pepe LaPew for me
Thanks, Wiseacre! (I caught Pepe mid-swoon and said a big ‘Bonjour’ for you) -kris
March 7th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Congratulations! A honeymoon in Paris sounds so romantic. I hate to rain on your parade though. I was in Paris at this time of year. It was not Spring-like. It was chilly & damp. I don’t recall seeing any blooming plants & all the fountains at Versailles were covered with boards. I say this so that you will not be disappointed when you get there. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time – it’s such an interesting city. Bon voyage!
Mr. McG’s D, Thank you! – Nothing could have rained on our parade though – even rain! And we found spring much further advanced than home. Actually I decided our timing was perfect – there was plenty of color but the fact that the trees hadn’t fully leafed out yet made the architecture of the city much easier to see. -kris
March 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Kris, I’m so jealous. I love Paris! Even if the weather is crappy the food and wine are worth the trip. Some advice if you haven’t already left, skip the Louvre and go to the Georges Pompidou instead. Make sure you go to the top for the view of the city, much cheaper and faster than waiting in line for hours at the Eiffel Tower, though you should certainly go stand beneath it just to get an accurate sense of scale. Best wishes in your marriage.
Thanks, Heather! Great advice – I hadn’t read it before we left but that’s just what we did. The Pompidou was amazing! -kris
March 7th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Congratulations, Kris! I hope that your wedding, “voyage de noches,” and marriage are all very happy, wonderful affairs.
Safe travels, and hope you enjoy Paris in the springtime!
Thanks, Kim! -kris
March 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Wow Kris nice to hear your news! Reading your blog over the year I feel like I know you and do wish you well. So I saw Blithewold’s booth at the New England Flower Show this past Wednesday on the “Gardens of New England” day. Hoping to get down for the Daffodils in April this year.
Thank you, Sue! See you soon — stay tuned – the daffs might be a little earlier this year! -kris
March 20th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I wish you all the best in your marriage. Enjoy France and have lots and lots of fun!!
Kate, Thank you! -kris