I went to Paris for three days this week, pretty much unplanned. Thalys train had a special deal and before I knew it we had tickets and a room booked at Best Western close to Porte d’Orleans. Considering it was unplanned and only for three days we didn’t do much. After three years of not going anywhere due to dialysis I now just seize opportunities without too much thinking and planning.
My condition still isn’t up to par since my transplant surgery in March so all that walking around Paris where hard on my legs. I now have muscle pain in my feet and legs. So all my energy went into walking rather then hardcore photo taking.
We went to the shopping district where Lafayette is but I’m not a fashionista so I was rather looking for stationary shops or a paperie like said in French. Believe it or not it was at the Monoprix supermarket across the hotel that I found Rhodia notebooks for sale. I couldn’t believe it, here in The Hague I only saw them at one stationary shop and one that is located in the same street as the queen work palace, go figure.
So on the last day I went back there and bought both the orange cover and a refill notebook for it. Oddly enough they only had squared paper and no lined ones. Even in another shop they didn’t had lined ones. I’m not that familiar with Rhodia so maybe they only have squared paper.
Then right before leaving for Garu du Nord to take the train back I went into Muji which was also across the hotel. I never heard of them before but when I saw their notebooks and pens I knew they where good. I bought a few notebooks, two 0.5mm gel pens and 2 highlighters. Now back home I made some internet research I realized I should have also bought the 0.38mm pens. Oh well I can always buy online.
So after three days walking around, taking some photos, eating french food I came back with these:
Those Muji gel pens write real nice, I like them better the Pilot G2, maybe even better the the Pilot Hi-Tec. This is writing on Muji paper, still have to try it on the Field Notes and the Moleskine. I’m slowly becoming a paper and penphile if there is such a word.
If the color notebooks of Field Notes weren’t subscription only I’d probably buy the colors I like most. Also next on my list are the Sharpie Pens, I already have a shop in mind, I only need to mail them on shipping cost as they handle one steady fee which is way to much for four pens.
Nice review! btw, I don’t think the Field notes colors are subscription only – they are offered to folks who sign up on their mailing list – I belive they have the winter one on offer this week – may be worth signing up on their list.
Comment by GN — November 16th, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Thanks!
If you are signed up to Field Notes mailing list you get the heads up about the sale before they announce it on their website. I’m subscribed to their newsletter for over half a year already.
The Color Edition is on subscription only, meaning you pay 129 dollars for four limited colors that are announced every so months.
So no options to buy one particular color only when it’s announced, so far I know.
Comment by Darice de Cuba — November 16th, 2009 @ 5:56 pm