This week’s adventures took my husband and me to Paris. We were at the famous Maxim’s Restaurant for the book signing of Pierre Cardin only 3 hours after we landed in this beautiful city.  Needless to say, our week was full of wonderful experiences. Although we had been to Paris on numerous occasions, we had never done the most touristic excursion, which is going to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  The day was clear and I shot many beautiful panoramic scenes of the city.

We managed to see 2 blockbuster exhibitions, one a retrospective of YSL at the Petit Palais and the Lucien Freud Exhibit at the Centre Georges Pompidou. (I hope to write about it in an article in the Huffington Post)

I also wanted to see the “Living Wall” installation of the exterior of the Musee du quai Branly that was designed and planted by Gilles Clement and Patrik Blanc.  To think that the entire facade of the building is planted material!

Of course, my favorite pastime between seeing art and roaming through the streets of Saint Germain des Pres and Le Maire is my hunt for the best hot chocolate.  (Laduree took the prize!)

David and I also had the great fortune of being invited to the American Ambassador’s residence for a music recital. This residence really is magnificent, but it is Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador Rivkin  that truly shine. They are both warm, intelligent, and engaging–we should only be so proud to them represent our country in France.

Here are some pictures of our 4 day get away! And yes, I spotted my book in the Assouline Store in St. Germain. It was such a great feeling.

Off to sea-side town of Angra-dos-reis for few days.

Different vibe all together—semi-wild beaches, rugged, tropical mountains and literally hundred of islands dotting the crystal clear sea.

Bad news: can’t find my passport.  Left my handbag with money and the passport in taxi.

Stay in hotel room to sulk. David goes horseback riding. Comes back and says best that he has ever been on.  Receptionist tells me taxi driver drove back an hour to return bag!

(yea) Cab drivers no longer arch-enemy but  gave him nice tip.

Go on snorkeling excursion in afternoon.  A blast.  Glad to be with David.

(The guy taking us on the boat—very creepy. Keeps rubbing his hands on the wet-suit, smiling.  Keeps telling me to wear one. Think has a Jacques Cousteau perversion/rubber fetish of some sort.)

Evening–go to nearby charming village.  Lots of kids playing football (soccer) in the streets.  Can’t find our seafood restaurant. All numbers on homes and shops hidden.

Finally find the place…lots of kids sitting in front, blocking the entrance.  I shoo them away like pesky flies (am fast learner).  Feels as if stepped into a ripe banana…walls bright-yellow.  Woman on the side ironing shirt.  Middle-aged man, sitting on the coach, with undershirt, clipping toe nails and watching grainy T.V.  Have feeling not in restaurant (woman’s intuition, I guess).  I bolt out of house.  David is bent-over laughing.

Go to eye-opening tour of town.  First to the periphery of Shanty towns. Houses assembled by pieces of plywood and plastic tarp as roof.  Some better ones, with bricks and corrugated metal. Guide said many drug gangs and violence here. (thinking if safe to be going through neighborhood)

Then off to wealthy neighborhoods.  Luxurious apartment buildings and mansions with gates and surveillance cameras and guards.

Hoping vacation will not become like Greek tragedy where things go from bad to worse, ending with character dying or poking eyes out with sharp object or scissors.