Taiwan + Hong Kong 2011

Before leaving Boston, I had been nervous about my Asia trip. There there was so much about Asia that I did not know. I'd been invited to deliver a lecture at an international conference on foreign language teaching--the conference's keynote lecture in fact. An esteemed friend and colleague, Afaa Weaver (brilliant scholar and poet, self proclaimined negro, and expert in contemporary Chinese poetry) had recommended me to the Department of Foreign Language and Literature of Asia University in Taiwan. Why, Lord, why? But who could decline such a invitation? I accepted promptly and then proceeded to sweat profusely, sweating which would continue in the months between the acceptance and the dates of the conference. What would be the expectations of a Taiwanese academic audience, my colleagues, and my hosts?
Asia impressed me from the beginning.

Part 4

Paris November 2009
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Finally, Ms. Georges has been seen trying on genie pants, a trend among the sartorially daring. We understand she is working on an installment on fashion (black is, yes, the new black), which she hopes to dispatch if completed before her time in Paris concludes (elas)—but there is research to be conducted; writing to be, err, written; cuisine to be sampled; boites and things to be explored, and "miles to go before [she] sleep[s] . . and miles to go before [she] sleep[s]." Your correspondent will end with photos of some familiar Parisian things for your consideration (and she hopes, delectation). Allons y!

A view from the Arc de Triomphe

A statue at the Musée D'Orsay (above)



Louis Vuitton blings out on the Champs Élysées

expressions of empire

intricate constructions. . .

Interior, I.M. Pei pyramid, the Louvre





Teenage hangout at Parc des Buttes Chaumont

View from teenage hangout (below)

Le Moulin Rouge, Pigalle (red light) district, by day


Ourcq Canal, in 19th arrondissement, leading to countryside

La Geode, Cité des Sciences et Industries

special thanks to my 3 brothers for the gift of a digital camera (for my birthday
last year) which enabled me to take pics of paris—ms. georges

Part 3

Paris November 2009

Ms. Georges’ daytime activities, questionable of course, pale in contrast to her evening excursions: attendance, for example, at the American expatriate soirée hosted by Ms. Patricia LaPlant Collins, with the writer/colleague Kathleen Spivack; the readings and rendez-vous at la Maison de la Poésie—occasions which appeal to artists, communists, the specters of communards, and homosexuals alike, as we are well aware. We will not mention her outings to Montmartre, etc., and so forth.



Ms. Spivak and the inimitable Ms. LaPlant Collins (above) Ms. Spivak and Ms. Georges (left)



Writers Claire Malroux, Emmanuel Moses, and Marilyn Hacker, with the venerable Jerome Rothenberg seated and reading behind Moses (below)

(and back of head of the specter of a communard)

friends (with fine plummage) at the Brasserie Balzar, with fellow writer/journalist Sabrina Crawford


door of church in Monmartre

with the shadows of leaves
a late evening stroll

Monmartre and towers of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur in background

glowing light of the tower
(the great catholic god is watching you!)

Part 2

Paris November 2009

And here, Ms. Georges traipsing through the famous Cimetière du Père Lachaise, visiting the tomb of the unfortunate Jim Morrison, and Chopin’s tomb as well.



Ms. Georges with hair like Mortitia’s



Great, great grandfather of the Etiennes of Port-au-Prince, Miami, and Montreal perhaps? There is a certain resemblance to one Patrick Etienne. . .




Grave of the unfortunate Jim Morrison


Sarcophagi

when autumn leaves start to fall
Sarcophagus of the Famille Valentin

Below Monsieur Rondeau—Michael, friend of la famille Georges, in Paris for international cancer research funding purposes, but who uncannily resembles a middle eastern terrorist

Tomb of a mysterious diva

















the beginning of darkness

we exeunt

Part 1

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Paris November 2009

Your correspondent in the field here, submitting notes from this dreadful colonial outpost,where a neither a good loaf of bread nor an edible cheese—or anything remotely resembling a reasonable tarte aux fruits—can be found. Your correspondent must make do with the local MacDonald’s (near the Stalingrad Metro stop) in the god-forsaken 19th arrondissement (where she is stationed) along with the rabble—the hordes of Arabs, Asians, and Blacks of every imaginable African country (into which are sprinkled the Antillian Black, the Ubiquitous Jew, and the Occasional Armenian).

two lovely Parisian sisters in lovely skirts

the beautiful French light reaches even the 19th arrondissement

Canal St. Martin (below)

Without compunction, they (aforementioned hordes) affix their awful posters to the walls of buildings and homes of law-abiding citizens. Who in the name of all that is saintly and good is Felix Wazekwa? And what in God’s name is this man (apparently en tenue du chanteur Maikerl Zjaksöhn) doing in France?

you are being watched, so keep an eye open for what will happen on November 21, 2009 (translation: your correspondent)

As to what is taking place on Nov. 21st, your correspondent has no clue, but will allay the anxiety she feels surrounding this impending date with some proper snooping. En suivant la piste, she will track the painting monkey

painting monkey

painting monkey



Your correspondent will refrain from commenting on the image which appears to the right of the singe peintre (as it is obviously the work of subtle French misogynists or vindictive international feminists).

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Your attention must now be drawn to the manner in which the American correspondent (clearly not my nemesis, as has been insinuated), a certain Ms. Danielle Georges, has been seen cavorting with members of the variegated masses. Here, locked in an embrace of dubious nature with Ahmed, who insists to la police, often, that he is simply a grocer. Neighborhood grocer indeed!

Ahmed parmi les fruits et légumes

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Parisian apartment building of Ms. Georges, in distance left

Ms. Georges unabashedly lets others know that her apartment is splendid and modern. Splendid or not, this is no 8th arrondissement!!

THUS ENDS PART 1, dear reader.

For Parts 2, 3, and 4, scroll back up to top of this Part, and you will see on the Right Sidebar the other parts under December posts.