Month: November 2013

Help! I have a ‘Syndrome’…

Paris oh Paris…how I miss you! France and Italy…it was a fun ride! But now its back to reality.

Back at work with a happy, happy, joy, joy face? Tick.
Back in the swing with buddy catch ups? Tick.
Back in the know with Brisbane’s latest? Tick.
Back in my home? Pending tenant exit
Back in the groove? No

Instead I have a desperate need to make everything different. To start anew. New routines, new home, new lifestyle, new work environment – my team mates anticipated the latter and set up a fresh new desk space. I love them for it. Yes, a fresh start, a whole new beginning. Apparently this restlessness has a name – ‘reverse expat syndrome’.

Nothing like a good ‘syndrome’, but what to do? Suggestions from buddies include:
• Refurb existing home
• Volunteer for enthusing work projects
• Choose new exercise routines
• Use different commute options
• Schedule theatre, art exhibit, concert gigs
• Learn a language
• Reclaim the kitchen
• Nurture the body’s wellbeing
• Plan the next journey
• Join a writers group
• Finish the book
• Meditate

Given my blog is, in my own words ‘a little scrapbook of life enhancements for me and you’ and, considering the suggestions provided thus far fit nicely within its topics – Earn, Inspire, Nest, Explore, Taste, Confess, seems a fitting place to share this new journey. So there you go! Welcome to the next exciting chapter of IndulgeDivulge.

Help me build my list and let me help you build yours via the blog. All suggestions welcome.

Meanwhile look out for a fab list of travel hints, compiled as a result of lessons learnt from a few too many ‘epic fails’.

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Dear Paris, I love you but…

Dear Paris, I love you but…our relationship cannot last for I have met another.

It was a sad breakup, but what can I say? I know She’ll understand and forgive for She knows I always come crawling back. Before we parted however, we had just one final fling, a fitting finale to a fine romance and this is how it started…

Hopped aboard the Metro from Republique to Chatelet and…

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20131116-054928.jpgStrolled past the Hotel de Ville and an ever so pretty carousel and on…

20131116-052227.jpgAcross Pont au Change to view the Seine and…

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20131116-052423.jpgOn past the Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette awaited the guillotine then stepped onto…

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Point Zero, the spot in front of Notre Dame marking the centre of Paris and the 1st Arrondissment then…

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20131116-052939.jpgPaused to view the cathedral’s majesty and while there…

20131116-055112.jpgListened to a Scot piping VIPs from the Remembrance day service and thought of a special friend’s love of Bagpipes; before entering to light a final candle to all the people I’ve loved and lost. While there I…

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20131116-055515.jpgSnapped a few photos of her magnificent stained glass rose windows and beautiful lighting and cussed ‘cos my camera isn’t capable of capturing their majesty. Then I rewarded my self by…20131116-055847.jpgIndulging in the best ever yet Crepe Citron Sucre before…

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20131116-060028.jpgHopping metro from Hotel de Ville to the Trocadero to view the most beautiful tower in the world. She sparkled just for me, a sight that would make even the most jaded sigh in awe. The city of lights indeed. Finished off the day by…

20131116-060658.jpgDining with my gracious host Randal at Au Passage Wine Bar where we sampled some rather nice French fare. The Chef? A Queenslander!

A heavy heart farewelling Paris but one full of joy as I boarded a flight bound for another beautiful city…my home – Brisbane.

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So what exactly did Jane take away from that six month sojourn while we were all slaving our butts off (besides 7,800 photos, enough grasp on the Italian and French languages to avoid serious mischief, an appreciation of 38 new wines and  a whole lot of bragging via the Blog) I hear you ask? Well stay tuned for there’s a little self indulgent blabbering coming up.

I saw dead people!

Well their bones that is. Sculls, femurs, clavicles and varying components of century upon century worth of Paris past, all stacked ever so tidily in the Catacombs deep beneath the city. Also learnt how they broke a body down to mere bones. Be afraid, be very afraid!

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20131115-212226.jpgFollowed that up with a tad of medieval musing at Musee de Cluny. Learnt about Unicorns. Uh huh!

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Then checked in on Maree Antoinette’s prison digs pre Guillotine at the magnificent Conciergerie.

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While there discovered a bunch of old men dozing in motorized wheelchairs. An old codger with rheumy eyes, white whiskers and an obvious inability to party started circling and I freaked! Then I realized he and his cohorts were made of wax. My kinda guy really – the kind you can manipulate (oh did I say that?). All of them an element a politically themed art exhibit. Clever. Bizarre.

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Could say I spent the day spent hanging with the dead…bet your jealous!

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