Europe – Page 2 – Sarahlynn Pablo, Writer

May 19, 2013October 10, 2014

Can’t Travel Without: a Small Notebook and Pen

Indispensable during my travels was my small, purse-sized notebook where I wrote many of my thoughts, phone numbers of new friends and addresses of flats, restaurants and hotels, and still more musings, rants and suppositions.

The first iteration was a staple-bound, craft paper, unlined beaut’. I picked it up at a street festival in Chicago, the Renegade Craft Fair, where, with two of my girlfriends, we traipsed up and down Division Street that summer weekend. In the notebook, I listed out the business of moving one’s life, chronicling, to use a favorite idiom, where all the bodies are buried. It was a pleasant reminder of home, all that I’d done to get on the road, and it fit right into my vintage leather purse from Detroit. Continue reading “Can’t Travel Without: a Small Notebook and Pen”

April 30, 2013

Is the Diary of Anne Frank Still Being Read and Taught?

Growing up in Chicago, thankfully, there are relatively few memorials to wars and military action as had taken place on that very ground – though there are many tributes to soldiers who gave their lives in foreign wars. Perhaps, that’s why, in Paris, I had seen so many reminders of World War II. They seemed … Continue reading Is the Diary of Anne Frank Still Being Read and Taught?

April 10, 2013March 31, 2014

Chess explained, Centre Pompidou, Paris

Two people. Sixty-four squares.

We met while touring the Opéra and decided to hang out. His name was Joey and I decided he looked trustworthy enough to take my picture with my fancy camera. Because until now all the selfie photos I’d taken were of me in mirrors and I was pretty sure I could catch him in a foot race. He was Canadian, harmless.

We were just passing through Centre Pompidou, on our way to a classical concert. Funny about plans, how quickly they can change.

Centre Pompidou is a cultural center I’ve heard characterized by more than a few guides as a building with its insides turned out, its multicolored exoskeleton that’s hard to resist imagining myself climbing all over like a giant jungle gym. A 2D Salvador Dalí– esque mural peers over his fountain’s lidless eyes, faceless lips and makeshift futbol field. None seem to regard his absurd Shhhhh (or Chuuuuttt en français). Continue reading “Chess explained, Centre Pompidou, Paris”

February 1, 2013March 31, 2014

No one will tell you to take the bus in Paris (but why you should)

I was running late to the Opera (calm down, it was a guided tour, but as close as I could get to La Bohème, so I was happy) and my lunch date at Le Panthèon in the 5th recommended I take the bus over there. Ok, I thought, Why not?

Quelle surprise! It was actually nice!

The bus is easy to use – same carnet or tickets as the Metro (which you probably already have). It’s the cheapest – though unguided – tour of Paris you’ll get. Continue reading “No one will tell you to take the bus in Paris (but why you should)”