Every Cliche is True

Well, here I sit with a coffee, back home in the desert of Doha, Qatar where the sounds of the Muezzin’s call to prayer have replaced the sounds of Cathedral bells tolling across the heavens of Paris.

I witnessed all the cliches I was aware of, of Paris:

• People sitting along outside tables at busy cafes wearing berets and scarves while drinking espresso or wine and smoking.
• People wearing scarves carrying baguettes.
• Woman dressed impeccably, wearing a scarf while riding a bicycle with leek leaves sticking out of a wicker basket attached to the handle bars.
• Men wearing a scarf, stylish shoes with jeans and carrying a fresh bouquets of tulips.
• Parisians seen to be the epitome of style.
• Everyone seemed to smoke. So much so, Michael and I (who are repulsed by smoking) wanted to smoke, because the French make it look so sexy, so appealing.
• Kissing! People kissing everywhere!
• Sex, love, romance permeates the air.  
• A woman can’t help but feel sexy in Paris!
• It’s difficult to explain, but there is something intoxicating about Paris.  
• The food was delicious with wine, champagne and Viennese coffee.

Qatari’s also love Paris, and bring small bits of this city to Doha such as the cafe Paul, located in Landmark Mall. I frequent this cafe most times I am shopping. The cappuccinos are delicious, as are the menu items and fresh pastries.

I enjoyed the splashes of yellow and green with springtime bringing flowers and trees blooming with color.

I enjoyed seeing crows. There are not any types of crows in Qatar, that I am aware of.

I enjoyed seeing people openly walk their dogs along busy streets. Keeping dogs as pets are considered haram in Islam, dogs can be kept for hunting or guarding only. Owning a dog in Qatar is tricky. We brought our dogs with us, but cannot openly walk them outside our compound.

I enjoyed wine shops, everywhere! There is only one store in all of Qatar – owned by the government – that sells alcohol and pork in this Muslim country. You need to apply for a license to shop there.

I hope to see you again, my friend.

Aah… Paris…

S, 🇫🇷

March Break – 2016 – Paris, France

Paris, France – Arriving

Paris, France – Quai Malaquais, Le Café des Beaux Arts, Place de la Concorde, Riding the Roue de Paris, Passerelle de Solférino – Love Lock Bridge

Paris, France – Dinner at Au Chai de L’Abbaye

Paris, France – Easter Monday in Paris, Ile de la Cite – The Heart of Paris, Notre Dame and Ile Saint-Louis

Paris, France – La Palette,Yann Arthus-Bertrand & Musee d’Orsay

Paris, France – Les Deux Magots, Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and YellowKorner La Hune Saint-Germain

Paris, France – The Louvre Museum

Paris, France – A Rainy Day in The Marais

Paris, France – The Eiffel Tower

Paris, France – Another Evening at Au Chai de l’Abbaye

Paris, France – Saint-Germain-des-Prés, The Latin Quarter, Place Saint – Michel Public Square, and Gastronomic Delights

Paris, France – I Hope To See You Again, My Friend