This last Thursday I had to take a quick unplanned trip to Paris at the last minute for a meeting. I ended up staying Friday night and had a pleasant dinner at a Lebanese restaurant with a Lebanese friend. He is an artist, as well as being a cost engineer, and particularly likes impressionist and late 19th century romantic paintings. He is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. Anyway, it was an enjoyable evening and he suggested that if I had time to go see the exhibits at the Musée du Petit Palais which was within walking distance of my hotel.
The museum was built for the 1900 Paris Exhibition and had a very nice collection. They allowed photography and here is a painting I particularly liked. The subject is the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt and I believe it was painted in 1875. I posted some touristy pictures behind Yebisu but going to the museum instead of work on a Saturday morning was nice. I am going to have to do things like that more often.
I walked around Paris quite a bit that morning. The center is compact and fairly easy to get about. They say that first impressions are important and my first impression of Paris about 25 years ago was not good. When I was younger I felt I could rely on my first impressions but I am a bit less certain now. Anyway, I now find Paris a very interesting place.
I speak no French, but at least I know the alphabet there. I can hardly read Japanese at all, but I can speak it a little. It is embarrassing that my friend speaks 3 languages fluently and I can only speak English. I am resolved to try and improve my Spanish. I think that is my best chance for visiting a non-English speaking country and holding some kind of a real conversation in the local language...
