Written by The last day on our Paris visit is always the busiest and I only had time for a lightning quick sketch with just a bit of color today. We still have to pack to leave extremely early tomorrow morning, or what will seem extremely early to us since we’ve been sleeping in while we’ve been here. I’m going off-prompt because I couldn’t think of a way to work our prompt of “sea turtles” into a post about my trip. Instead, I sketched the view I enjoy most, which is catching a quick glimpse of the Eiffel Tower while crossing the street. This view and similar views can be found throughout Paris and I love them most. Far from the actual tower and throngs of tourists there are so many wonderful little neighborhoods, including the one we got to live in for the past couple of weeks. It’s been an amazing trip, though I’m really exhausted after a whirlwind of plans while we were here. But, I feel very lucky to have once again experienced this beautiful city as though we actually lived here. One day, perhaps, we will, but until that day comes, it’s time once again to say “au revoir!” and head back to our home in the States.
Today, we visited Philippe’s best friend for a long lunch and then went from there directly to his mother’s apartment. She walked with us back to our place and then we had some dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was a lovely way to spend the final evening, though there wasn’t a moment’s break during the entire day so it almost felt like two days in one. Every time we see someone here, it’s a celebration including a glass of champagne, wine or both. It’s lovely, but that’s what I now remember about this last day here. We try to pack in as much as we possibly can and by the end I’ve eaten and drunk more than one person should and I’m ready to climb into bed. That will hopefully happen soon now, but we’ve been in the process of packing our clothes and little souvenirs we’ve acquired on the trip. My nearly empty suitcase I brought with me is now filled with clothes I’ve purchased while here. Thankfully, everything fit, and doesn’t seem to weigh a ton. I always hold my breath as they weigh my luggage at the airport, hoping it doesn’t exceed the weight limit and incur a fine.
It was actually fun to pack as we rediscovered little things we purchased or received as gifts early on in our trip. Things we’d almost forgotten about as we’ve been staying here a full two weeks now. We were reminded that though everything seemed rushed in these final days, we did indeed enjoy a long and wonderful trip visiting friends and family. It’s never long enough, of course, but it’s a precious time that’s given us the gift of amazing new memories. And through it all, I’ve managed to sneak in a little sketch and journal post each and every day. I’m always amazed how it’s always possible to sketch each day, no matter what’s happening or how busy the day becomes. And, it’s wonderful to have bits of memories captured in these posts and what often becomes the quickest of little sketches. If I wasn’t sketching and journaling each day, many of these little moments might be forgotten, so I’m so thankful for my doodlewashing habit. Soon, Philippe and I will head to bed for one final short night here, enjoying wonderful dreams as we happily remember that last full day in Paris.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Opus (Vivid Pink), Yellow Ochre, and Cobalt Turquoise. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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A wonderful view of the Eiffel tower!! Love this little sketch!!!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed it!!
Excellent doodlewash, even if lacking in sea turtles! I’m sorry your visit’s come to an end. I’ve been relieving fond memories of my time in Paris some 40 years ago. Amazing how many of them are crystal clear – especially the profiteroles!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, even I couldn’t figure out how to tie in sea turtles! lol And yay! Glad these triggered fun memories… though it is hard to forget a profiterole! hehe Yum!
I love the colors you used in your street view! Safe travels on the way home.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 The colors were a bit of an experiment! hehe Glad you enjoyed this one!
It’s been a pleasure to follow along and see Paris through your eyes and Doodlewashes, Charlie! Safe and swift travels home!
Thanks, Carol! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed the little Paris tour! We’re finally back home now!
I love this view. Thanks for taking us along with you to Paris! I enjoyed the trip!
Yay! So happy you enjoyed the Paris trip with me! 😃💕 It was a wonderful time indeed! Can’t wait to return next year!
Charlie, It was nice to live a little bit of your french adventures thru your posts and doodles these past 2 weeks. Thank you for sharing! On the suitcase, my mom comes to visit every year from Brazil, for anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks, depends on her mood! So she acquires A LOT of “souvenirs” which always means buying a extra suitcase to pack everything below the allowable weight. You should look for one of these little mini manual scales (you can usually find them at the airport or where they sell luggage) and carry it with you (they weigh next to nothing) and then you can weigh your luggage at home and decide if you need to move stuff around not to exceed the weight while you are at home and not at the airport with everyone watching and judging (and mad at you, because you are holding up the line!!) If you only have one suitcase and that is over weight due to clothing you purchased, you can always wear more clothes so not to carry it in the suitcase 🙂 I read in the news over Christmas that a guy was in line to board his flight wearing his ski boots so not to be charged for excess luggage – the pic posted was quite funny and it was hard to miss the boots in the shot since they were pepper red! Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to wear that in the plane? Even if you take them off for the flight, you still need put them back on (with swollen feet!) to walk out of the airplane on them! (I guess you could take them off once in the terminal and carry them in your hands….walking barefoot in the airport, hahaha!). Safe travels!
Thanks so much Yvonne! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed this trip with me! Yeah, Philippe’s mom gave us one of those scales to use. We thought we did it right, but still have to shuffle some things between bags. Thankfully, it worked! Can’t imagine wearing ski boots though…. lol… but I would totally do it to avoid those fees! 😉
Safe travels my friend!
” I’m going off-prompt because I couldn’t think of a way to work our prompt of “sea turtles” into a post about my trip”
I love it…you have tickled my funny bone by putting images in my head of sea turtles marching down the Champs-Elysées, flipper feet and heads bobbing in cadence, shells spit-shined to a high gloss.
We are all thankful for your doodlewashing habit! I’m hoping someone will think to post a welcome home banner, but I think you are at home wherever you and Philippe are.
Have a safe trip!
haha! Now you make me wish I’d tried that sketch you described! Too funny! 😃💕And thanks for joining me on this little trip. It was wonderful to see family again, but I’m equally happy to be home now and reunited with Phineas!
Good view n colours .of ur sketch. Through the eyes of lie i remember my stay in Paris. Thanks for this.
Thanks, Snehlata! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed my little Paris tour!
what a wonderful last day, and I love how you cherish even packing up. You are surely a special soul. AND if that is a quick doodlewash – WOW – your talent has grown so so so much! It is amazing! Safe travels home!
Thanks, Jodi! You’re so sweet! 😃💕Yeah, I end up enjoying every little bit of the trip… it’s all part of the wonderful memories! And yep, this is a very quick sketch… probably my quickest in a long time if not ever. And just rapidly dabbing some color about was fun to do so I might try something like this again soon! hehe
So glad you had such a great trip! And I’m so impressed you were able to fit in painting.
Thanks, Eileen! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m actually a little surprised myself some days that I can still manage a sketch. But there’s always a teeny bit of time here and there to sneak one in!
Love your sketch. Perfect painting to end a special trip. There never seems to be enough time when on vacation.
especially when visiting family. I wish you a safe and end relaxingtrip back.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕Yeah, time seemed to zoom by in the second week as it always does. We always felt like we were running out of time, but have such wonderful new memories!