More a year ago I purchased two tickets to go and see Ravi Shankar’s daughter – Anoushka Shankar – undisputedly they are the World’s best Sitar players. The venue was Paris. Unbeknownst to many people, Anoushka is the half sister of Nora Jones…. a more familiar name.
The two sisters collaborated in creating one of the most beautiful songs – Traces of You. Listen to that and your heart will sing guaranteed.
So anyway I bought two tickets, not knowing who might join me because it’s a unique style of music and perhaps not everyone likes such different variety. Plus the concert is in another country and a year in advance – all things to be considered in fairness.
Unfortunately the person I invited did not like the style one little bit… Nor the country and culture.
On top of that they booked the wrong outgoing train and had to change it in rush when their ticket didn’t work at the gates. Now if you had to change an International train ticket, a mere £40 additional cost is a bargain if you ask me. To also have availability on the preferred train as well! And the seat next to me…. I thought they were lucky…. but people react differently to the World….
What was very insulting was that they checked their phone of my communication to them before they could accept their mistake. What a start to the weekend. Great.
Also I did not realise was that the performance was a collaboration of Phillip Glass & Ravi Shankar – and coincidently I had seen the symphonies of Phillip Glass and the legendary David Bowie in London a couple of weeks prior…. So I saw Mr Glass twice on stage in two weeks. And I just learnt that Phillip Glass has also worked with Aphex Twin! How diverse.
I love Paris, its a magical city with a wide variety of art, landscaped gardens and beautiful architecture. The musee D’orsay is my favourite museum in Paris – the sculptures and paintings and the space itself is beyond words. Treat yourself and eat at the restaurant – it looks much more expensive then what it is and its truly majestic – you are sitting in an art gallery within an art gallery.
Wandering the streets of Paris is always colourful and the Marais is my favourite area. Definitely visit Fleux – https://en.fleux.com/ for shopping. Keep in mind that a lot of their goods are available online for 1/3 the price, but some are not – like their terrariums – definitely not available on line – I have looked!!
Careful on the ordering of steaks in France. They do prefer to serve them still kicking and grazing on the garnish – my friend ordered medium rare, but seriously it was still moving. Unfortunately as the first meal in Paris, it didn’t go down well. At all. Was returned for a couple of more minutes on the grill S’il Vous Plait (and probably spat on).
We stayed at a lovely hotel in the 8th arrondissement at the Le Mathurin Hotel & Spa – about £400 for 3 nights. A great location. Not appreciated by my travelling companion in the slightest.
I learnt an important lesson this trip. Careful who you travel with. If your travelling partner(s) are not open to new experiences, possibly insecure recluses, or even have a touch of borderline personality disorder…. don’t take them. Better to travel Hans Solo.