While I Was Away
From the desk of the artist Alana Clohessy, in a small corner of Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine.
Tuesday, 20th May 2025. 24°C and Sunny.
Tea in my Cup: Twinings English Breakfast Tea with milk, no sugar.
I am back at my desk after being away for two weeks. The heat has returned to Paris and I am sitting writing to you with the window open, the hot air billowing through, the sounds of coffee cups clinking off saucers floating in from outside, cutlery being rifled through by wait staff, far off sirens screeching by, cars honking their horns and stopping at the lights, revving as they once again take off, an irate hand gesture thrown to a passing cyclist, a soft murmur as people walk by on the footpath. The ebb and flow of city life in the sunshine.
I wrote to you while I was away.
Thursday, 1st May 2025. 28°C and Sunny.
Today is Labour Day and traditionally a day when the Trade Union Federation of France and civil groups organise peaceful demonstrations and protests across France. Roads are closed off, colourful floats are created, flags are flown and music is played through loudspeakers on the roofs of cars as people march together on the streets. It has been described as a political barometer for the country, reflecting political tensions and the people’s priorities. This year the demonstration is under the banner for “peace” and “social justice”. In the words of the Unions in their press release on April 10th, 2025, for the upcoming May 1st demonstration:
"In a period of profound seriousness for democracy, social rights and peace", the intersyndicale reaffirms its determination "for peace, respect for international law" and for "international solidarity with all peoples in struggle", but also for "the repeal of the pension reform", for "an increase in wages, pensions and minimum social benefits" and for "quality public services accessible to all".
300,000 people of all ages and professions, from students to retirees across France, joined the march. 100,000 marched in Paris.
May 1st is also the day the French gift one another Muguet (Lily the Valley) as a celebration of the beginning of Spring, for prosperity and for good luck. “La fête du Muguet” or Lily of the Valley Day dates back to the 1st of May 1561 when King Charles IX of France was gifted a bunch of Lily of the Valley and told it was considered good luck. Being superstitious, he continued the custom the following year by gifting the flower to the ladies of his court.
When I first moved, it was inexpensive to buy a bunch or small ceramic pot of Muguet but over the years the price has continually crept up. I just brought a little pot in my flower shop across the road and it cost €20, they used to be €7. However, like King Charles IX, good luck should not be sneered at.
Today, is also the first day of the year that I turned on the fan. It is roasting.
Saturday, 3rd May 2025. 4.17pm, Thunderstorms with Hail.
A thunderclap just boomed across the city. The good weather has finally broke. Hailstones the size of golf balls (not an exaggeration) are banging off every awning. I have flung the windows open to let the cool fresh air rush through the apartment. It's been so muggy the past few days. I love the sound of thunder and rain.
12th May 2025. 6.48pm, Thunderstorms with Heavy Rain.
An hour ago it was sunny and warm. Now, the sky is dark and it is thundering down with rain. The road has been briefly transformed into a river. A couple walking past on the street below are huddled together under a golf umbrella with I Love Paris emblazoned on the side. They are soaked through and look miserable. People peer out their windows across the way, marvelling at the rain hammering down.
13th May 2025. Flower Full Moon.
I was in town and the amount of people who walked out in front of moving cars was unusual. I speculated it was a full moon. Turns out it was.
Named by the Algonquin people of eastern Canada with slight name variations from other First Nations of Canada and Indigenous American people, the Flower Moon is called due to the abundance of flowers that are in bloom this month across the Northern hemisphere. An awakening of life. I have stopped to smell the lilac on my evening walks. It is also a time when our pets and animals start shedding their winter coats as described by the Oglala tribe who called the moon, “the moon of shedding ponies”.
Wednesday, 14th May 2025.
I went to the late night opening of the Louvre museum tonight. I concentrated on the Haute Couture exhibit, “Louvre Couture. Works of art, fashion objects.” in the Richelieu Wing. Dresses of Balenciaga, Dior, Karl Largerfeld, among many others stand in the rooms of Napoleon’s Apartments, and among the art of the Louvre. The setting sun glinted through the windows as I left. I had never experienced the Louvre in this light. I highly recommend.
Thursday, 15th May 2025.
The Cluny Museum (officially called Musée de Cluny-Musée National du Moyen Âge) is a national museum of the Middle Ages, located on Boulevard St. Michel. When Boulevard St. Michel was being constructed, the ancient Roman baths, that the museum is now housed on, were unearthed. I walk past the museum most evenings. Tonight, I went in. I sat in the Frigidarium (an ancient Roman cooling room) on my own. I marvelled at the old Roman walls and the 14m high vaulted ceilings. Wondered at the people who sat here before me.
Late night visits to museums, in my opinion, are the best time to go.
Sunday, 25th May 2025. 19°C Cloud and Rain with intermittent spells of Sunshine.
Tea in my Cup: Twinings English Breakfast Tea with milk, no sugar.
I have thrown my back out. I have known for some time that I need to replace my “office” chair (currently it is a black, rickety Ikea kitchen chair with a sheepskin thrown over it). Long stints of writing at the computer end in back ache. This Friday, my body had had enough and put a stop to me sitting there. So I am in the market for a new chair. Any and all suggestions welcome. I am thinking of getting one of those exercise ball chairs made for sitting at a desk. If anyone has had any success with them, let me know.
For now, I am off to lie flat on my yoga mat and take pain killers. All writing will cease for the day.
Au revoir - until we meet again,
Alana x