Bonjour mes amis! Ran away for a much needed vacation to Paris, France - 11-days enjoying Gay Paree’ - the City that seemingly never sleeps! AHHH April in Paris was exciting! Paris is monumental, cultural, gastronomic - eat, eat, eat, and sip fine wines. Loved its diversity!

Paris has always been a long desired passion since early 1980s - inspired by the song “April in Paris” - especially Count Basie’s version, not knowing what the significance of April other than romantic notions and the Eiffel Tower; finally realized. My arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport met with rain - drenching cold rain! Not really surprised for I’d checked the weather prior to leaving San Francisco; the week long forecast projected a mix of sun, rain, chill.

Saturday afternoon, March 29, departed SFO International Airport with Mademoiselle Robin Bates, Tour Director/Guide “Black Paris Diva” Tour, on Air France Flight Delta 8552 nonstop to Paris (about 11 hours airborne), arrived Sunday Paris Time. This was my first international trip - anxious, not knowing what to expect; especially going through customs, length of flight, unable to move about freely - no problems! Good both ways. Flight smooth, noticed the route took us over Iceland.

An entourage of 8 Travelers, included myself, from various parts of the U.S. met up with Bates in Paris for the 10 days excursion. I left a day early with Ms. Bates of Daly City, who speaks fluent French, lived and studied in Paris. Diva Bates recently had a successful book signing in Los Angeles at the largest West Coast Alliance Francaise for her hip guide to Black Paris, entitled “Soul on the Seine.” In the late 90’s she founded cafedelasoul.com, the first person to ever host such a website of its kind, the 411 about the hot Black spots in Paris.

Bates, young mother of two, hooked up with Madame Kat St. Thomas, renowned traveler, who founded the annual “Black Paris Divas Tours - France with Flavor, Culture, Cuisine and Josephine!” Thomas, former owner of a travel agency in San Francisco, and how I first met her, now living in Houston, Texas. For years Mademoiselle Kat encouraged me to take the trip. Finally! Believe me the excursion is more than about Black Paris, but a blend of all cultures; an overview of the mystically and historical City that is always on the move!

I must say the experience was enhanced by the marvelous companions who booked the trip, they were: Mademoiselle Marie Johnson, BPD Staff, retired Oakland educator who taught French and lived and studied in Paris; retirees and savvy travelers Monsieur Herman and Madame Mary Walton of Sacramento ( I called Herman - Her’mon... the lone male traveler in the group of beautiful Sistuhs, was protective of us all; CEO/Hairstylist Mademoiselle Brandy Washington of Union City; Mademoiselle Mary Ann Reid of Brooklyn, New York, known for her published novels about love and relationships featured in Essence Magazines and Black Experience...one entitled “Every Man for Herself!;...

And Mademoiselle Erika Jones of Florissant, Mo., author of an interesting Blog website “Madame Erotique.” She has embraced the life of Josephine Baker who was born in St. Louis Missouri, and has dedicated herself to gathering memorabilia's of the late American born French Star, whose desire is to keep La Baker’s spirit alive in St. Louis and her main reason in booking the trip.

The party stayed in the Latin Quarter at the charming Hotel du Levant on rue de la Harper off St. Germain Blvd. (check it out - a MacDonald’s at the corner!). Great proximity to major transportation, and Seine River. An abundance of activities were pre-planned before leaving the States (including menu selections) that included 6 nights hotel; buffet breakfast daily; 5-days Metro/bus pass; 2 hours city sightseeing tour; one African American historical walking tour; Louvre Museum admission; 3-dinners at prominent French restaurants; Paris illumination tour by transportation to Chateau de Milandes in the Dordogne in France.

The Tour took us all over Paris from chic to night time Paris - The Eiffel Tower, Nortre-Dame, the Champs-Elysées, Magnificent Arc de Triumph, the Louvre. At times traveling by cab or walking, or taking the Metro trains; eating in French restaurants (rich foods); two delightful African Restaurants, one Babylone Bis (my fav) - vibrant personalities and reggae music, great hospitality - food out of sight; especially the special grilled chicken!; rubbing elbows with beautiful people - trying to speak what limited French we knew, BUT always Robin Bates and Marie Johnson were our translators!

I might note despite the rich foods - sauces, wines - Parisians are slender - guess because they walk a lot. Oh, also indoor smoking was banned earlier this year, but they sure puffed outside all over the City .... on the Rue where we stayed butts were all along the curbsides!


Chateau Milandes.

The Black Paris Diva tour took us beyond the Eiffel Tower to the breathtaking country side of the Medieval City of Sarlat - an excursion to the Dordogne region for a private tour of Chateau des Milandes, the former residence of Diva Josephine Baker - heralded American born French expatriate entertainer and singer who died in the Pitie’-Salpetriere Hospital. She was 68 years old when she suffered a stroke four days after opening a new revue celebrating her 50 years as an entertainer. The revue, backed by Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, opened to rave reviews and became the rage of Paris. The opening night audience included Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross and Liza Minelli.

Sadly La Baker died April 12, 1975. Paris came to a standstill on the day of her funeral; 20,000 filled the streets to watch her procession. She was interred at The Cimetie’re de Monaco.

So much could be said about La Baker, whose life was not always glamorous but sad, but lack space here. Her legacy lives on; known for the adoption of 12 orphans, which she called her “Rainbow Tribe.” First American-born woman to receive the highest French military honor, the Croix de Guerre from General Charles de Gaulle. Memorabilias within the castle honored her work with orphans during World War II. Exhibitions of her life graced the walls; a room dedicated to stunning gowns she wore on stage, disappointed we could not take pictures within the Chateau, currently under renovation therefore our special visitation was limited.

A sculptured monument of La Baker embracing a child erected at a bus stop shelter below on the roadway leading up to the Chateau. Captured in this article, and a view of the Castles.

Wonderful 4-hour train trip Friday from Paris to the Southwest of France to experience the Dordogne Perigord region for a two-night stay over in the countryside Medieval town of Sarlat , for the purpose of a private tour of Chateau des Milandes. Sarlat offered the best weather experienced during our visit. Sunny, strolled quaint cobbled roads and streets, interesting shops - a market place that sold foods from the region - evening fine dinner at an upscale French restaurant. Duck one of the entrees specifically served. Sarlat one of my favorite times.

Activities planned as a group were prescheduled before leaving the states right down to selection of menu items. For me - Highlights of the trip included evening cocktails and Jazz at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club within the Meridian Hotel - nice club. That evening chanteuse Malou Beauvoir headlined with swinging band of White musicians - 3 sets, first 10:30 p.m.;...

Another night, dinner, then stepped into a long white stretch limo to cruise Paris at night - we created a spectacle for many awed, took photos of the classy car;...a stop at the Eiffel Tower (already visited during a day tour) and champagne toast - the opportunity to take photos of the spectacular Eiffel Tower night show - popped the bubbly, stepped out, raised our glasses. Class all the way!.

ON A POLITICAL NOTE - The French are watchful of the U.S. Presidential Election, curious about Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. Le Magazine de L’ Optimum boast a front cover that featured a handsome picture of “Barack Obama - Le Kennedy Noir!” An in-depth article written in French of course, much to my regret! Photos of Barack and Michelle Obama glamourous in pretty red outfit, next to John Kennedy and Jackie O - eloquent in red as well! C’est Si Bon!

Our last day in Paris saw the City in upheaval with the protest over the Chinese Olympic Torch Relay (seen on CNN) that passed through Paris under guard from The Eiffel Tower to the Chariety Sports Stadium at the City’s Southern end. The Torch was extinguished several times (5 to be exact) and police officers moved it aboard a bus to protect it as demonstrators swarmed the security detail. I was ready to view the action, if it passed the Seine River within walking distance from the hotel in the Latin Quarters, but Chinese Olympic organizers abruptly canceled the last leg.

CNN is everywhere and how I was able to watch the action, and scenes that saw protesters climb the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. Back in San Francisco Tuesday. I would agree after what happened in London and Paris Mayor Gavin Newsom’s decision to deter the violence by not having the ceremony in Justin Plaza was a good move!

Well, as the plane lifted to the skies, quietly said - Au Revoir sweet Paris, your gleaming lights, good times, exciting BUT I’m going home to the City by the Bay - one day I will return!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE...LOOK FOR ME...I’LL BE THERE...
E-mail Rochelle at IHEARD@earthlink.net