Magic in Paris
By day's end, my feet were screaming. The "slow museum shuffle" is exhausting, more so than walking briskly for 5 miles. I had to get back to my room, unload the few things I carried and take a...
Savoring and Relishing
Journal Entry: "8:00 P.M. After a day at the Louvre. I've just eaten the most sumptuous dinner at a little restaurant/bar, "Louis Vins". The food had me melting at the first bite. Le Louis Vins, 9...
Midnight Mass at Notre Dame
It seemed to me that the ultimate Parisian, Catholic experience would be attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. (And it seemed the thought occurred to thousands of others, too.) It was raining...
Fast Food, Parisian-Style
Hungry in Paris? Good food is never far away. I like that the stores are specialized and are clustered near each other. Hop from one to the next and gather enough for a very good meal. Here's...
Christmas Eve Dinner
What was for dinner on Christmas Eve in Paris? Fast food, Parisian-style! From my journal yesterday: 5:30 P.M. Christmas Eve, Paris. I'm eating in my hotel room, after spending all afternoon at...
I Can Change My Clothes Tomorrow
Christmas. Friday. 9:11 PM. My suitcase just arrived from my flight on Monday. I can change my clothes tomorrow. (Don't fly Air France. They've handled this poorly.)
My Personal Tour Guide
Group tours aren't generally "my thing" but I found out in Washington D.C. a few years back that hitching a ride on a tour bus is like a crash course in the new city. (Not literally, of course!) So...
Oh So Chic in Paris
If someone had said to me: "You're going to Paris for a week, but the only thing you get to wear is what you wear on the plane" I would NOT have picked the following: a bra, heavy opaque tights,...
Joyeux Noël
Today I simply followed inspiration and ended up south instead of north. I had all sorts of wonderful encounters with people along my wanderings and saw beautiful, delicious arrays in front of me....
French Onion Soup in Paris
After walking in a cold rain for several hours on my first evening in Paris, I wanted something HOT in my belly. I wanted a hearty soup or stew. I walked into the Brasserie Balzar, about 3 blocks...
It’s Made of Gold!
From my journal entry, 21 December, 2009, 9:00 pm: I just ordered French Onion Soup, to be followed by pepper steak and a nice red wine. (Chateau de Brague 2006, Grand Vin de Bordeaux, Bordeaux...
Packing for Paris
Packing for Paris. Leaving early in the morning and I'll get there at about noon. It's COLD there, and snow is predicted much of the week. A white Christmas is almost assured. I've been gathering...