So with our dinner plans confirmed, Emily and I head out to the metro to make our way to Jim's for dinner. The directions he gives are so detailed, there is virtually no room for error. I mean, he tells you how many steps to take when you exit the metro, how many to take once you hit the traffic light...DETAILED. Love it!
We arrive a few minutes early to find Jim perched on his stool,wearing an apron, with his guest list in hand. He says, "Hello, what's your name?" Gently chastising us for being early, he refuses to shake our hand, but rather bumps elbows. What? Where are we? This is so bohemian, so out there, but so friggin cool. We are in the middle of an ancient building, standing in this kitchen, with this Hemmingway like character.
More people arrive, he barks out introductions like a grandfatherly drill sergeant, and as the room fills, strangers quickly become friends...70 of us in total, from all parts of the world. I am sure there would be some fire code violation in the US, but crammed into this small area, somehow it works.
Soup's on...At 8 pm, the chef of the evening starts dishing out a hearty soup of vegetables pseudo pureed, and topped with creme fraiche. A giant bowl of sliced baguettes are also there to soak it all up. YUM! Elbow-to-elbow, we stand and eat. Now I know why you don't shake hands...you can't, your hands are full, but your elbows still can do the job. This is my theory, at least. I will have to ask him. This is unlike anything I have ever experienced.
Neither is my new friend Claude. Claude is apparently a frequent diner at Jim's, and gives the term flirt all new meaning. Charming, handsome, and a male version of a Cougar, he becomes my new BFF. Now, please know, I was not his only new BFF for the evening, as he was good at working the room. My other new friend Marla (from San Fran and Paris...half a year in each city...hate her!)informed me that he is always hitting on the girls at Jim's dinners. Whatever, he asks me to lunch, and for my phone number so he can show me Paris. Ooh-la-la! I am flattered, and a little amused. Please understand, this is sweet, harmless, innocent fun. All in fun, my friends, all in fun.
Main course is served: meat loaf with mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, and ratatouille. Works for me! Huge portions, and very nice. Emily is making friends all over the room, too, and I sit back and smile. This is what life is all about. I need to remember this moment when I get so stressed out. This cute French girl comes up to me and says, you are American aren't you? DANG IT! She didn't even hear me speak! Am I really that obvious? Apparently so...she says she can tell because I smile so much. I give her my best demure, somber face, and she laughs, says that's much more French. I don't care. I am genuinely happy!
Ironically the dessert is apple tart and vanilla ice cream. As American as...well, you know.
An absolutely lovely evening. As we are getting ready to leave, I am thanking Jim. I can't leave well enough alone. Does he ever need help cooking? As a matter of fact he does. How long will I be in Paris? Would I like to cook next Sunday, January 2. Ahem...guess who is coming back from Nice to cook dinner for 70 people in Paris? You can't make this stuff up? I feel so unbelievably blessed.
Stay tuned.
Peace and love!
Janice
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Oh happy day!
So Sunday just keeps getting better. An adventure to Gare de Lyon (the train station from which I will be departing to Nice) gets me my tickets, and a bit of an understanding of where I will be going on Friday morning. A little complicated, I will be leaving 2 hours in advance, just to make sure I get on board. This is a peu nerve wracking, but what an adventure!
While we are getting on the train, we are entertained by a gentleman exuberantly playing Hello Dolly in the passageway on his accordion. Emily starts the trend by giving him a little tip, others follow suit, and the next thing you know, people are dancing (including the musician)on the metro platform...ahh, Paris, you gotta love it!
On to the Puce de Vanves...another flea market. Open every weekend of the year, rain or shine, we head out to search for some treasures. I find a painting of a young boy that speaks to me for 60 Euro, and Em finds a couple of gifts for her parents. We come upon a gentleman named Marcel, and he asks us in French if we are looking for anything in particular. No, just browsing, we say, and then in English he asks if he can do anything for us. Feeling giddy and good for the first time in days, I say, "Oui, have a happy day!". He smiles, and breaks into song, singing, Oh, Happy Day! Laughter, two cheek kisses, and a photo later, we have made a new friend, Marcel.
By now, we are starving,so we search out a place for lunch. Emily has a checklist of foods she must have before leaving Paris. Top of the list: Croque Madame. Mission accomplished. I have entrecoute de boeuf with mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce. The first meal I have had in three days, it was good, but quite tough. The potatoes and sauce were just what the doctor ordered, though. Pure comfort food.
Back to Our apartment to see if we won the lottery...the food lottery, that is. You see we are on the wait list for Jim Haynes Sunday Supper Club. You may remember from last year we joined a group of strangers in a Paris apt for dinner. Well, my friend Karol Ann Thieszan told me about another such group, held at Jim's place. He has been hosting Sunday Suppers at his place for over 30 years. Here is a link to it: http://www.jim-haynes.com/gallery/index.htm. Well, we won, we won! We are headed there for dinner!
While we are getting on the train, we are entertained by a gentleman exuberantly playing Hello Dolly in the passageway on his accordion. Emily starts the trend by giving him a little tip, others follow suit, and the next thing you know, people are dancing (including the musician)on the metro platform...ahh, Paris, you gotta love it!
On to the Puce de Vanves...another flea market. Open every weekend of the year, rain or shine, we head out to search for some treasures. I find a painting of a young boy that speaks to me for 60 Euro, and Em finds a couple of gifts for her parents. We come upon a gentleman named Marcel, and he asks us in French if we are looking for anything in particular. No, just browsing, we say, and then in English he asks if he can do anything for us. Feeling giddy and good for the first time in days, I say, "Oui, have a happy day!". He smiles, and breaks into song, singing, Oh, Happy Day! Laughter, two cheek kisses, and a photo later, we have made a new friend, Marcel.
By now, we are starving,so we search out a place for lunch. Emily has a checklist of foods she must have before leaving Paris. Top of the list: Croque Madame. Mission accomplished. I have entrecoute de boeuf with mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce. The first meal I have had in three days, it was good, but quite tough. The potatoes and sauce were just what the doctor ordered, though. Pure comfort food.
Back to Our apartment to see if we won the lottery...the food lottery, that is. You see we are on the wait list for Jim Haynes Sunday Supper Club. You may remember from last year we joined a group of strangers in a Paris apt for dinner. Well, my friend Karol Ann Thieszan told me about another such group, held at Jim's place. He has been hosting Sunday Suppers at his place for over 30 years. Here is a link to it: http://www.jim-haynes.com/gallery/index.htm. Well, we won, we won! We are headed there for dinner!
Oh what a difference a day makes!
If you told me yesterday how today was going to go, I probably wouldn't have believed you.
You may have noticed the distinct sound of crickets resonating in the Parigi blog. Well, that would be due to the fact that for the last 4 days I was down with the grippe, AKA the flu in French. Man, it took me down. I tried to fight it, especially with limited days with Roger, and Emily arriving, but it kicked my ass! I had no energy, no appetite, and at times no will to live. Ok, maybe that is a bit on the exaggerated side, but that is only because I am trying to be the dramatic french woman. : ). Emily is responsible for bringing the life saving pill form serum called musinex to save me, and I am forever in her debt.
So today actually began kind of sadly...Roger went home. First time he has left Paris without me. First time I have stayed behind without him. Sad. Really. Emotional. He texted me from the plane that he was feeling better though, because our favorite AA flight attendant, Pierre,and I quote, "ees awn boward. Awl ees gude.". End quote. Thank you, Pierre. You don't know how pleasant you have made our trips to Paris, and especially this one, without doing anything but being there. Thank you!
OK, so moving on...I have been given an amazing and unique opportunity to spend NYE in Nice, France this year. My sweet friend Sebastien and his partner Patrick are there visiting his sister, and have invited me to come there for the new year celebration. Roger was on board, and my amazing parter, Chad DEMANDED that I go, so, all I had to do was figure out the logistics.
Eurorail ticket...check
AA ticket changed...check
Apartment rental extended...check
Guess who is going to Nice on Friday? Can't wait for this adventure! Talk about making up for lost time!
There's more to tell, but you'll have to wait until demaine...
Merry Late Christmas!
You may have noticed the distinct sound of crickets resonating in the Parigi blog. Well, that would be due to the fact that for the last 4 days I was down with the grippe, AKA the flu in French. Man, it took me down. I tried to fight it, especially with limited days with Roger, and Emily arriving, but it kicked my ass! I had no energy, no appetite, and at times no will to live. Ok, maybe that is a bit on the exaggerated side, but that is only because I am trying to be the dramatic french woman. : ). Emily is responsible for bringing the life saving pill form serum called musinex to save me, and I am forever in her debt.
So today actually began kind of sadly...Roger went home. First time he has left Paris without me. First time I have stayed behind without him. Sad. Really. Emotional. He texted me from the plane that he was feeling better though, because our favorite AA flight attendant, Pierre,and I quote, "ees awn boward. Awl ees gude.". End quote. Thank you, Pierre. You don't know how pleasant you have made our trips to Paris, and especially this one, without doing anything but being there. Thank you!
OK, so moving on...I have been given an amazing and unique opportunity to spend NYE in Nice, France this year. My sweet friend Sebastien and his partner Patrick are there visiting his sister, and have invited me to come there for the new year celebration. Roger was on board, and my amazing parter, Chad DEMANDED that I go, so, all I had to do was figure out the logistics.
Eurorail ticket...check
AA ticket changed...check
Apartment rental extended...check
Guess who is going to Nice on Friday? Can't wait for this adventure! Talk about making up for lost time!
There's more to tell, but you'll have to wait until demaine...
Merry Late Christmas!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Cooking class
For those of you who know me, you know I am a bit of a night owl. I prefer sleeping in and staying up late, so tonight's cooking class was right up my alley.
When I woke up this morning, my throat was a little scratchy, and my head hurt a little. No time for getting sick, but I also thought I should take it easy so I didn't really get sick. Spent most of the day staring out the window at the Notre Dame cathedral, and people watching. Roger made lunch, and then i headed out to my cooking class.
My friend Paula Lambert who owns The Mozzarella Company in Dallas recommended the class which she had taken at the Electrolux Kitchen in the Palais de Tokyo. http://www.art-home-Electrolux.com I usually try to take a cooking class while I am in Paris, and this sounded really interesting.
Side note...Lisa Kelley, thank you! You sending me that NY Times article saved my butt! I couldn't log on to my home computer where all my info about the class was stored, but that article mentioned the Palais de Tokyo, and it all worked out...thanks a ton for thinking of us!
So the concept is Electrolux (think Viking in the US) is the sponsor for this workshop, and they are also partners with this pop up restaurant called Nomiya (think like an uber upscale 48 Nights) with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, like you are up there with it, nothing obstructing it. There is a vegetable garden, and then the restaurant. The restaurant only seats 12, reservations are only available 1 month in advance, and it is only open for about one year in total. This is something pretty special. Since I didn't know to try to make reservations, going to the class was the next best thing.
When I walk in, Raphael, our instructor for the evening asks if we have met before. I say I don't think so, but he looks familiar to me, too. More in a minute...it really IS a small world!
Here is the menu: roasted chicken with white wine jus, celery root puree with chestnuts, sweet potatoes with sauce verde, endive salad, roasted parsnips and roasted chervil root. Dessert was a chocolate-orange mousse, caramelized orange clafoutis, and kalamata olive ice cream. Very interesting.
We broke into teams, and I went for the protein station. I don't often debone chicken, or break it down for that matter, because we don't have much call for anything other than the breast at Parigi. The guy next to me, a cutie named Paul (spoke no English), broke that bird down FAST! The adorable girl on the other side of me, Vivian from Taiwan, was a little squeamish about the whole thing. She did good though in the end, especially given that she is mostly vegetarian. We deboned that bird, and seared it, and finished it in the oven. Not my most challenging class, but definitely enjoyable. A little bonus was that I asked what Raphael was planning to do with the bones. He said throw them away. I asked if I could have them, he said yes, and voila! We have a chicken stock in the making! That is SO going to come in handy for Christmas eve dinner!
After everyone finished their dish, we plated it, and sat down for dinner. Going around the room we told where we were from, and what we did. That is when Raphael and in figured it out. He makes chocolate for his profession, and I had met him at the little gourmet boutique downstairs from our apartment last year. I bought some of his white chocolate with peppercorns for Chad...crazy! I am telling you this is one small big city.
All-in-all, great day. New friends (gotta love Facebook), and a nice evening doing something totally different.
Night for now!
When I woke up this morning, my throat was a little scratchy, and my head hurt a little. No time for getting sick, but I also thought I should take it easy so I didn't really get sick. Spent most of the day staring out the window at the Notre Dame cathedral, and people watching. Roger made lunch, and then i headed out to my cooking class.
My friend Paula Lambert who owns The Mozzarella Company in Dallas recommended the class which she had taken at the Electrolux Kitchen in the Palais de Tokyo. http://www.art-home-Electrolux.com I usually try to take a cooking class while I am in Paris, and this sounded really interesting.
Side note...Lisa Kelley, thank you! You sending me that NY Times article saved my butt! I couldn't log on to my home computer where all my info about the class was stored, but that article mentioned the Palais de Tokyo, and it all worked out...thanks a ton for thinking of us!
So the concept is Electrolux (think Viking in the US) is the sponsor for this workshop, and they are also partners with this pop up restaurant called Nomiya (think like an uber upscale 48 Nights) with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, like you are up there with it, nothing obstructing it. There is a vegetable garden, and then the restaurant. The restaurant only seats 12, reservations are only available 1 month in advance, and it is only open for about one year in total. This is something pretty special. Since I didn't know to try to make reservations, going to the class was the next best thing.
When I walk in, Raphael, our instructor for the evening asks if we have met before. I say I don't think so, but he looks familiar to me, too. More in a minute...it really IS a small world!
Here is the menu: roasted chicken with white wine jus, celery root puree with chestnuts, sweet potatoes with sauce verde, endive salad, roasted parsnips and roasted chervil root. Dessert was a chocolate-orange mousse, caramelized orange clafoutis, and kalamata olive ice cream. Very interesting.
We broke into teams, and I went for the protein station. I don't often debone chicken, or break it down for that matter, because we don't have much call for anything other than the breast at Parigi. The guy next to me, a cutie named Paul (spoke no English), broke that bird down FAST! The adorable girl on the other side of me, Vivian from Taiwan, was a little squeamish about the whole thing. She did good though in the end, especially given that she is mostly vegetarian. We deboned that bird, and seared it, and finished it in the oven. Not my most challenging class, but definitely enjoyable. A little bonus was that I asked what Raphael was planning to do with the bones. He said throw them away. I asked if I could have them, he said yes, and voila! We have a chicken stock in the making! That is SO going to come in handy for Christmas eve dinner!
After everyone finished their dish, we plated it, and sat down for dinner. Going around the room we told where we were from, and what we did. That is when Raphael and in figured it out. He makes chocolate for his profession, and I had met him at the little gourmet boutique downstairs from our apartment last year. I bought some of his white chocolate with peppercorns for Chad...crazy! I am telling you this is one small big city.
All-in-all, great day. New friends (gotta love Facebook), and a nice evening doing something totally different.
Night for now!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Boots, baguette, and a blog...
So, we did something different this year with our sleep ritual. We did that flight from NYC, instead of our usual direct flight from DFW. What that means is that we left early, so early that our 12 hour opportunity of sleep was not possible. No biggie...we stayed up for the first leg of the trip, and then slept about 4 hours from NYC to Paris.
So, upon our arrival into Paris, we acted like we were fairly rested. We did our aforementioned shopping for provisions, walked around St. Germaine because, once again, I brought the wrong shoes, and Roger, being my sweet, considerate husband, knows that my feet determine the outcome of the trip. If the feet ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
Well, no success with the shoe search, but we were tired, so we did the non-ritual go-back-to the-apartment, take-a-nap thing. SO not us. We slept for three hours, woke up at 8, and went back to sleep at 12:00 am. BACK ON SCHEDULE! By accident, we figured it out! We got up at 8, and started the day at 10.
Okay, if you ever come to Paris, which I really hope you will, there is this app called Paris Metro. It ROCKS! All you have to do is put in your starting Metro location, your ending Metro destination, and it will tell you what you need to do, where to transfer, where to get off, etc. SO COOL! We used it to go to St. Ouen flea market. Monday is the last day of the flea market for the weekend, and given that next weekend is Christmas, it was our only opportunity.
It's official....I have my first pair of rubber boots ever purchased at a flea market. Roger picked them out. Also the first...Roger picking out shoes for me. He did good! Given the unlikely weather including snow,they were a real necessity, and for 25 Euro, they were the deal of the year. They kept my feet warm, and dry. Thanks Rog! And thanks to the nice guy who sold them to us.
From the flea market, we went to THE FLEA MARKET, the reason we had ventured to St. Ouen...treasures. We found a new (old, really)coffee pot (sorry Parigi family, it requires polishing), and had lunch at Paul Bert restaurant, an institution since 1953
Lovely lunch: shared onion soup and Croque Madame (why are we so afraid of the fried egg in America?)followed by coffee and ba ba rhum for dessert. Diet, what diet? Hopefully the walking will make it even!
From there, Rog headed back to the apt to do some work, and I stayed behind to look for more treasures. However, be it known...they all leave after about 2:00 on Monday. They have been there for 3 days straight, and (especially when it is as cold as it is, they close it down early).
I hit the metro, and take the Les Halles exit. Thinking that is where all the cool cooking
stores are. I feel like a beacon...accidentally, I find all of them! Some cool things, but long lines. I will come back with Emily. She arrives on Thursday. (for those of you who don't know Emily, she is my little protege at the Culinary Institute of America, and I like to think of her as mini me.)
Rog calls, says he is done with his work, will I meet him? Tell him where I am, (now BHV...think Borders meets Niemans, meets Elliots Hardware, meets Michaels, meets Sur la Table/Williams Sanoma...it's ALL there). I am not done, but great visit for Emily and me to revisit. He says he will give me a head start, because it is so far away, and knows it will take me a while to get there. CHALLENGE! Oh, hell no, I will be there in record time.
On my way there (sans help from my map app, thank you very much) I proceed to look in the store windows, walk casually, and get to our destination within 1 hour. He is shocked. I am not the only one who knows my way around Paris!
So, we meet up at Conti, see our old friend Olson (the wire haired terrier, 12 years old now who rules the corner of Rue de Buci), and have some wine. Our young waiter is cool...something familiar about him. Further conversation confirms we DO know each other...he worked at another bistro we went to a year ago. He remembered us because Roger speaks Spanish, from Caracas, the whole Parigi connection, and I remembered him because he was going to Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, and was Colombian. Talk about a small world! He feels compelled to buy us a shot...Tequila. No one panic. Strange to do a shot of Patron in Paris, but hey, Juan, from Colombia knew it was ok.
From there, Rog goes for the oysters (tradition by now), we get some flowers, and a baguette. We are headed home.
Now we are home on the Seine, and the song playing is "nothing's too good for my baby.". Rog and I agree on something.
Merry Christmas!
So, upon our arrival into Paris, we acted like we were fairly rested. We did our aforementioned shopping for provisions, walked around St. Germaine because, once again, I brought the wrong shoes, and Roger, being my sweet, considerate husband, knows that my feet determine the outcome of the trip. If the feet ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
Well, no success with the shoe search, but we were tired, so we did the non-ritual go-back-to the-apartment, take-a-nap thing. SO not us. We slept for three hours, woke up at 8, and went back to sleep at 12:00 am. BACK ON SCHEDULE! By accident, we figured it out! We got up at 8, and started the day at 10.
Okay, if you ever come to Paris, which I really hope you will, there is this app called Paris Metro. It ROCKS! All you have to do is put in your starting Metro location, your ending Metro destination, and it will tell you what you need to do, where to transfer, where to get off, etc. SO COOL! We used it to go to St. Ouen flea market. Monday is the last day of the flea market for the weekend, and given that next weekend is Christmas, it was our only opportunity.
It's official....I have my first pair of rubber boots ever purchased at a flea market. Roger picked them out. Also the first...Roger picking out shoes for me. He did good! Given the unlikely weather including snow,they were a real necessity, and for 25 Euro, they were the deal of the year. They kept my feet warm, and dry. Thanks Rog! And thanks to the nice guy who sold them to us.
From the flea market, we went to THE FLEA MARKET, the reason we had ventured to St. Ouen...treasures. We found a new (old, really)coffee pot (sorry Parigi family, it requires polishing), and had lunch at Paul Bert restaurant, an institution since 1953
Lovely lunch: shared onion soup and Croque Madame (why are we so afraid of the fried egg in America?)followed by coffee and ba ba rhum for dessert. Diet, what diet? Hopefully the walking will make it even!
From there, Rog headed back to the apt to do some work, and I stayed behind to look for more treasures. However, be it known...they all leave after about 2:00 on Monday. They have been there for 3 days straight, and (especially when it is as cold as it is, they close it down early).
I hit the metro, and take the Les Halles exit. Thinking that is where all the cool cooking
stores are. I feel like a beacon...accidentally, I find all of them! Some cool things, but long lines. I will come back with Emily. She arrives on Thursday. (for those of you who don't know Emily, she is my little protege at the Culinary Institute of America, and I like to think of her as mini me.)
Rog calls, says he is done with his work, will I meet him? Tell him where I am, (now BHV...think Borders meets Niemans, meets Elliots Hardware, meets Michaels, meets Sur la Table/Williams Sanoma...it's ALL there). I am not done, but great visit for Emily and me to revisit. He says he will give me a head start, because it is so far away, and knows it will take me a while to get there. CHALLENGE! Oh, hell no, I will be there in record time.
On my way there (sans help from my map app, thank you very much) I proceed to look in the store windows, walk casually, and get to our destination within 1 hour. He is shocked. I am not the only one who knows my way around Paris!
So, we meet up at Conti, see our old friend Olson (the wire haired terrier, 12 years old now who rules the corner of Rue de Buci), and have some wine. Our young waiter is cool...something familiar about him. Further conversation confirms we DO know each other...he worked at another bistro we went to a year ago. He remembered us because Roger speaks Spanish, from Caracas, the whole Parigi connection, and I remembered him because he was going to Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, and was Colombian. Talk about a small world! He feels compelled to buy us a shot...Tequila. No one panic. Strange to do a shot of Patron in Paris, but hey, Juan, from Colombia knew it was ok.
From there, Rog goes for the oysters (tradition by now), we get some flowers, and a baguette. We are headed home.
Now we are home on the Seine, and the song playing is "nothing's too good for my baby.". Rog and I agree on something.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Travel delights
25% of the flights arriving in Europe have been cancelled. Our 6:30 am arrival was the last flight taken in at CDG from the US. Whew! We made it! So, we claim our baggage, go outside to meet our driver... no driver. We think about panic, but decide not to. Instead, we call our Paris contact from Chez Vous, and he answers...VERY pleasantly! He tells us to hop in a taxi, and he will meet us at the apartment in about 45 minutes.
We go to the taxi queue, a man in front of us gets in the front taxi, so we start loading up in the second taxi. The man in the first taxi doesn't get in, half of our bags are in our taxi, and the first taxi guy gets into a scuffle with our driver, very aggressively telling him we are his ride, not his. Our driver gives in, and we load up in the first taxi. The chief in charge of managing the taxis apologizes. We are delirious... A little sleepy, a little anxious, and just relieved to be in The City of Lights. "C'est bonne, c'est Paris," we tell the chief. He laughs, and says, "oui, it IS Paris...everything IS good."
45 minutes later we pull in front of our ancient building(500 years old or so), located on The Seine, and across the street from Notre Dame. The bells are ringing, the snow is falling, and life is good. I start to pay the driver, and he looks at me like I am crazy. I just gave the man 50 Mexican pesos. Oops!
We enter our building, go up a flight of stairs, and are absolutely blown away. I know I say this every time, but this apartment is GORGEOUS! The bedroom is in the back, away from the street, the kitchen is galley style, the dining room is huge, and the living room has the million dollar view of the Notre Dame cathedral. The snow makes everything so cozy.
We head out into the snow for provisions,stock up on the first day usuals: baguette, ham, eggs, butter, cheese, wine, beer,crackers and sardines. Project Paris is underway. Stay tuned...More to come!
We go to the taxi queue, a man in front of us gets in the front taxi, so we start loading up in the second taxi. The man in the first taxi doesn't get in, half of our bags are in our taxi, and the first taxi guy gets into a scuffle with our driver, very aggressively telling him we are his ride, not his. Our driver gives in, and we load up in the first taxi. The chief in charge of managing the taxis apologizes. We are delirious... A little sleepy, a little anxious, and just relieved to be in The City of Lights. "C'est bonne, c'est Paris," we tell the chief. He laughs, and says, "oui, it IS Paris...everything IS good."
45 minutes later we pull in front of our ancient building(500 years old or so), located on The Seine, and across the street from Notre Dame. The bells are ringing, the snow is falling, and life is good. I start to pay the driver, and he looks at me like I am crazy. I just gave the man 50 Mexican pesos. Oops!
We enter our building, go up a flight of stairs, and are absolutely blown away. I know I say this every time, but this apartment is GORGEOUS! The bedroom is in the back, away from the street, the kitchen is galley style, the dining room is huge, and the living room has the million dollar view of the Notre Dame cathedral. The snow makes everything so cozy.
We head out into the snow for provisions,stock up on the first day usuals: baguette, ham, eggs, butter, cheese, wine, beer,crackers and sardines. Project Paris is underway. Stay tuned...More to come!
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