Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Two Days in Paris








photos by Bill Maxey


I had hung a postcard of the Steps of Montmartre in my cubical for many years; it followed me around for a few jobs. And then in late August, early September of 2001 I visited London and Paris. I was single and wasn't to meet my beloved Jay for 6 more months.

I stayed with my dear friend Nancy in London, and my friend Bill, who was going to Germany for a film festival, offered to arrive a few days early and escort me to Paris, as it would be my first time there.

The Louvre? It was beautiful, lit up at night. But I was there to imagine where Anais Nin and Henry Miller might have had coffee and to visit Jim Morrison's grave. Why the headstone of Oscar Wilde had tons of lipstick kisses all over it, I'll never know.

We walked a lot and I ate crepes with Nutella, petite loaves of bread and cheese, walked into fabric shops and saw the view of the entire city from the hill at the Sacre Coeur. If you haven't been there but saw the film Amelie (see 2:46), you know what that looks like. And when I did walk down that beautiful staircase, I really took it all in.

I'd been holding onto a mysterious roll of Holga film all of these years - until just recently when I finally had them developed. Looking at the photos, I feel like I lived a magnifique little dream.

Our lives are magnificent dreams of our very own creation. What shall we create this year?

20 comments:

BuenoBueno said...

i love this post!
you make paris look awesome!
maybe ill go back and give it another try:)
xo
brandi
love the photo booth pics. you are gorgeous!

Jessica Nichols said...

So we met right upon your return from this trip?!!! And talked for hours all that memorable night and I don't remember this? For shame on me! I've been wondering about these photos. What a dreamy, wonderful story. I love you and your rad, insatiable zest for life.

Growling Gecko said...

Terrific post Jamie!

ras said...

great post! I love the B&W photos. I always wondered what it would've been like in Paris when Miller was there -probably harsh.

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

How fun to finally develop the film, like the best birthday + Christmas present ever. I have some rolls of 120 film I keep looking at, although what kept me from developing them a couple years ago was the cost.

e. said...

Love the photography... very "Parisian."

lawless said...

The Holga hype is definitely justified. Those are some rich photos.

Steve and Cher Pendo said...

Hi, Jamie,
Thanks for sharing your memoirs and beautiful photos from your Paris adventure, we really enjoyed your post. Gorgeous BW, too! Aloha, Cher and Steve

Toddy said...

I haven't been in Paris, except to change flights or trains, since 1995.

I miss Paris.

Great photos & collage.

Surfsister said...

It is so unfair that one woman can be loved by a camera that much!! Seriously! Your face is just meant to be photographed. In my next life, I'm coming back with your face. You're just too gorgeous. If I didn't like you so much, I'd be totally envious.

Mariss said...

Hello, gorgeous! Lovely photos and reminder that we create our own dreams! You lifted my heart today when I needed it :) Thanks!

Jim Moriarty said...

wonderful shots. really delivers the paris vibe.

BEGT said...

thank you for sharing your magnifique little dream! lovely photos..

Michael Singman-Aste said...

Check out off-the-shoulder Jamie! Très chic!

Rebecca Olive said...

Got any cuter!!?

kiki said...

Hi there! I love this post, the pictures really embody the spirit of the dream of paris! The photos are gorgeous! btw- i wanted to thank you for giving me the information about cowell's...my boyfriend and i went down there and it was gorgeous. he got his first lesson and is already talking about buying a wet suit! thanks again!

Unknown said...

wonderful as usual - many thanks

ShimmeringShack said...

Thanks for sharing your trip so beautifully. I love how chic & European you look in these! The B&W was a great touch.

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos! I love Paris, cant wait to go back.

mabel said...

oh this is what I love about film! lovely photos .. especially the double exposure