I fell in love with Paris at 16 I was an au pair in the country - Seine-et-Marne - and at the weekends would come into Paris and stay with my mother’s friend Nina, a Russian émigré who had been in Shanghai with my mother’s family. She lived in a tall apartment near Passy in the 16em, where the wooden lift wobbled up to the fifth floor. It was decked out in mahogany and Chinese rosewood, sculpted by ancient hands. The kitchen was tiny, with an overwhelming smell of gas and always very cold. “I love it cold, I was born on the Chinese border with Harbin.” Harbin is one of the coldest places in China/Russia. Nina was as free as a bird with me and all the parental control she had promised my mother was dropped immediately. She told me I had to be independent, get lost in Paris, and always smile my way out of trouble.
After chatting every single full evening in the last week, except a couple of them going to a concert, and a job that took all the rest of my time save sleeping, I read at last, and watched Shang Xin Fang.
I liked the idea of a number of about one-second takes of certain scenes, where you're surprised that they had their effect in such a short view. Same for a few subtitles... so you *have to* rewind to be sure to have got the message! Four full days to celebrate an event, what a good idea. I'd like to organize some this...
After chatting every single full evening in the last week, except a couple of them going to a concert, and a job that took all the rest of my time save sleeping, I read at last, and watched Shang Xin Fang.
I liked the idea of a number of about one-second takes of certain scenes, where you're surprised that they had their effect in such a short view. Same for a few subtitles... so you *have to* rewind to be sure to have got the message! Four full days to celebrate an event, what a good idea. I'd like to organize some this...
I've never been to Paris, but feel like you gave me a great introduction. I'm excited to explore these films you share with us!
Read again, at last.
"... She told me I had to be independent, get lost in Paris, and always smile my way out of trouble."
I never saw you without a smile, indeed.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Paris past with us and for the charming photos which prove that Paris is as lovely now as it was then.
Thank you, Jeanne, will read soon! (Watched the beautiful clip with Piaf already.)