Friday, December 25, 2009

joyeaux noel from paris!

what could be more appropriate on x'mas eve in paris than attending the 8pm mass at notre dame and being transported to another, far more inspiring zone? i am here to spend x'mas and new year with my daughter. it has been a charming reversal of roles - here is arundhati taking complete charge of my life and time. my instructions are 'not to write' while i am in paris. i don't have the heart to tell her that's like saying, ' not to breathe'. so writing in any form has become a clandestine operation. i write secretely while she is in the shower.but since i am using her mac book, i am slower than usual and fear i'm going to get caught one of these days.
meanwhile, i am struggling to walk around in knee high boots that kill. the wind chill factor will get me if chillbains don't. it is bitterly cold, but the delicious vin chaud sold at street corners can warm up anybody. i love it! as we strolled past some of our favourite haunts on the left bank, sipping wine and chatting about life, i forgot the cold, my frozen toes, all the other nagging problems moms burden their kids with. we were just two women enjoying paris together. mellow and wonderful.
after mass, we went in search of dinner - the heavy police presence around the notre dame was reassuring. but we were hungry and cold, and oblivious to danger. nearly every famliar place was shut or shutting early. but we stumbled upon a real gem , just opposite the george cinq , a little off the champs elysee. an italian restaurant called fendi. it was a brilliant choice buzzing with people in great spirits. over sancerre and sea bass, we bonded some more, before grabbing a cab and getting back to her apartment, where she had generously vacated her comfy bed for me. god bless daughters.
merry x'mas blog dosts.

19 comments:

Manjiri Agnihotri said...

Mary Xmas and happy new year to u & ur family......

Theyoginme said...

merry xmas and amen to the daughters...

Unknown said...

merry christmas and a prosperous new year to you and your family!!
i am eagerly waiting to hear more from you...

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

" it has been a charming reversal of roles - here is arundhati taking complete charge of my life and time."

How proud u feel daughter taking the role of maa!!!

gauri said...

Merry Christmas

Vishal Tayade said...

merry christmas and have a great new year!!!

supriya said...

merry christmas shobha ma'am...! I particularly loved your way of celebration as i opted for kind of same with my young sisters..! Family is celebration actually!
my dad has been to paris and to the italian restaurant u mentioned too..fendi! it was fab according to him.
I hope u manage to update your blog regularly...and for that your daughter has to take long showers i suppose..lol! have a great xmas...n wonderful time. god bless!

Nirbhay said...

Shobha,
How can you travel so much without getting sick of it.South Africa - Australia-Paris...come on take a break.
I was guessing, when I read Paris that you would be writing about Bistros and French crusine.
Good you chose an italian food to write.
Anyway hope the food really tastes as good as you write :-)

Unknown said...

bon jour, mz de! notre dame, eiffel tower. whattay way to usher in the new year. i've heard that they are still selling bits of the berlin wall in local markets, yes, since 1989! at this rate, the wall was big enough to go around the earth 5 times!! zut alors!! i suppose you'll return to tumchi-amchi mumbai soon enough, the smog beckons!!

Vibhuti Bhandarkar said...

Mam I must say that ive always been an ardent fan of urs ever since I realised my love for writing...And with every post that I read at ur blog, you leave me more spell bound!

Mukesh Bhatia said...

Thats great way of celebrating Christmas. Glad to know that Arundhati has taken over her role. Seems u need that motherly affection.

Merry Christmas & very happy new year to you all!!

tenam said...

take metro line two and head to La Chapelle. You might like the south indian neighbourhood and some nice food.

Enjoy this lovely day in paris. finally the sun.

Pooja Rathore said...

Happy Christmas to All!
SD - Have a good time in paris and keep writing.

Anonymous said...

Warm wishes for the year ahead..
have a beautiful and happy one:)
god bless you and yours:)

Unknown said...

A very merry xmas to you & your family. While in paris,don't forget the macaroons!

Anonymous said...

record your thoughts on dictaphone or on ipod.. :)) You will not violate her ruling and get the stuff done..

Harish said...

Teri bhi christmas.. meri bhi christmas... sab ki christmas... merry christmas!!!

What is!!!! De... u toh seem to be on wheels abhi! take rest before your Daud no.

Harish said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Wish you all a very Happy n Prosperous New Year....may 2010 bring lots of happiness for one n all!!!!

Regards
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