Pause for Purpose

Mark K October 21st, 2008

When I visited Paris in my college days, I asked my friend where I should stay. He recommended the Hotel Paradis on a hill overlooking central Paris, just down from Montmartre.  I wanted to tour Montmartre, made famous by artists of years back, like Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gough and Picasso and thought I’d try to find the Hotel Paradis while I was in the neighborhood.The Metro train didn’t seem to climb as it headed to the hilly neighborhood of Abbesses, so as a result you’re far underground when you enter the station.  I climbed several flights and passed the cool Art Nouveau entrance, looking for the park that I remembered being right next to the hotel.  It was raining and their were lots of leaves on the ground.  I could hear the sound of someone sweeping and wondered if they still used the old-fashioned brooms that were made of a bundle of twigs from a tree. I hoped the sweeper thought I was taking a picture of the mural behind him.I stopped at the bakery next door for a coffee and croissant.  Nobody remembered the Hotel Paradis, but they were friendly the neighborhood had a great feel.  This is Amelie’s neighborhood – the working title for the movie was Amelie of Abbessee, rather than Amelie of Montmartre.  It feels like a village, but is bustling and friendly and hip and not too overrun with tourists.  When I ordered my cafe creme, the waitress asked if I wanted a glass or a “bol”.  I assumed that “bol” meant a large cup, but when it arrived it was actually a serious cereal-eating sized bowl filled with delicious coffee and steamed milk.I hadn’t found paradise, but this was pretty close.

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