Thursday, March 08, 2001

2001-03-09

I got out of bed at 6:30 am and had a long bubble bath. It really was a bubble bath - there are lots of holes at the bottom that blow out air. It is sort of relaxing, but I would have preferred it if the hotel had a really nice shower or if the pool were open.

I had a little walk before breakfast, ate too many croissant and bread for breakfast. Then I walked up to Tania and Kip's room and we all talked for a hour.

I gave Allison a magnum bottle of 1977 Chateau Lafitte Rothschild that I had bought at a great price at The Travellers. We'll drink it on her birthday.

They've all gone their various ways. Right now I'm back in my room working and doing these diaries.

Wednesday, March 07, 2001

2001-03-08

I woke up early and went to Les Deux Maggots where I met I woke up early and went to Les Deux Magots where I met Jim and Cheryl Michler, he was my boss when I first worked for Autodesk in Hong Kong. We had coffee then walked around St Germain. We went down rue des Canettes, rui Guisarde, through the Market. We stopped at Mulot and I bought them some pastries.

Jim and Cheryl Michler
I dropped them off at Hotel de Fleurie where I took this picture of them. I talked with the nice owner of the hotel. He sends his regards to Nicolas and Nancy. I had a lot of trouble getting a taxi because it was raining, so I walked over to rue d'Assas and took the bus. I stopped and said hello at Les Mouettes.

I had a very quick lunch at the Travellers. Damien was there with five friends. Then I took a taxi to Orly and flew to Perpignon. I picked a rental car and drove to the Hotel les Trois Mas in Collioure.

Hotel les Trois Mas in Collioure

Here is the view of the harbor looking through the round window in my bathroom. The Hotel is not what I might have chosen, but it is fun to be with my sisters.

We all had dinner in the hotel restaurant and talked and talked.

Tuesday, March 06, 2001

2001-03-07

We arrived on time, the bags came quickly, and there was little traffic, so I was off the plane and in Paris within one hour.

I went straight to my room at The Travellers. I took a shower and put on a suit and necktie.

When I went downstairs to the bar, my friend Patrick was there. I watched him play backgammon for a little while. This is quite boring as nobody really talks.

Damien, Gregoire, Nicolas, and Benjamin

Then Damien, Gregoire, Nicolas, and Benjamin arrived. We had drinks the club and then went out for dinner to a very nice restaurant in the 7e that I had never been to.

crêpes suzette

I had crêpes suzette for desert. Unfortunately the picture of them does not show the flames of the burning Cointreau

All four boys are growing up very nicely. They are at the age when they are full of confidence, happiness, and optimism. They all have jobs that they like. It was really nice to be with them and feel their energy.

Monday, March 05, 2001

2001-03-06

I had all day to pack and to organize my departure. What a luxury to have all this time. And yet when it actually came time to leave, it was all rushed and there was not enough time.

I really like my apartment, so it is hard to leave. On the other hand it is easy to leave. I don't have to worry about the basement being flooded, or watering the plants. I can just lock the door and go. Here us the view from the balcony:
View from my balcony
Before I left I took pictures of two things to show to the Rylands in Venice.
guggenheim_small.jpg

The first is a poster that is currently being displayed all over San Francisco advertising a contest to win a trip to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.
Marini Horse

The second is of a sculpture of a horse by Marino Marini that I can almost see from my bedroom Window. The sculpture is similar to the one at the water entrance to the Palazzo Venier.

I left from the brand new International Terminal at San Francisco Airport. It's very big. And seemed bigger because it was almost empty. I expect this will change when the summer tourist season starts.

I went to the United Airlines Red Carpet Club. Also enormous. There must be room for a thousand people. It has a beautiful view of the airport and the bay.

The flight was uneventful. I had three seats to myself. I saw a rather surreal film set in the 1920's about a man that escaped from prison and combed his hair a lot.