Monday 26 August 2013

shakespeare and co - 'be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise'...




Par


 
  




 
 
You know when you imagine something, and if like me you have a very vivid imagination...sometimes it doesn't quite live up to your great expectations. Well since last summer I've wanted to go to Shakespeare & co in Paris. Last week we actually got to go there, and you know what? It was even better than I expected. 

I can't really explain why. It's just an old shop full of lovely old books and quirky furniture. But it's more than that. It's knowing the history. Who passed through those doors. Who sat down and read those old books or played the piano, ate supper at the rickety desk, slept on those creaky divans, read their poetry or sang their songs. It was everything, and more than I expected. We just turned a corner and there it was. 

There's something in the air in Paris, some kind of energy, I find the same thing in Italy. But when we stepped inside that shop there was a different kind of energy. As though when each of those creative minds passed through... they left a little whisper of themselves behind...


(...and no, I hadn't been drinking...)




...have you ever had a similar experience?
debx

6 comments:

  1. Oh Debby, how wonderful! I want to go there and stay for days and days. I can almost smell the old books and to hold them in my hands would be a dream come true.
    I am so happy that you experienced that most amazing book store.

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    1. It was amazing we didn't want to leave and you could other people were just as enthralled.

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  2. I am a bit (well a lot ) jealous. There is nothing like an old bookstore, I love that print/musty smell that goes with and if they serve coffee then I'm in aroma heaven!! I enjoyed the tour and my the books!!

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    1. I think you would have loved it Karen. Sadly they didn't serve anything, Ahmad and I both had the same thought though.

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  3. Isn't it wonderful when something longed for actually surpasses your expectations? Looks like a wonderful place to soak up history, seek inspiration and commune with ghosts. Hopefully you'll be back there soon.

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    1. I know... I thought of you when I was there Caz...I'm sure you would love it. We are thinking of going back next school holiday if we can...

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