Rain, Rain, No Worries! - Friday, 29 August

Today was a typical Parisian rain day – sunny one minute, clouding up quickly, a short thunderstorm, back to light drizzle, then bright sunshine to dry up all of the streets and sidewalks and bring the humidity down.  And then all over again, often for several cycles throughout the day!  Refreshing!

So I headed out for lunch under the awnings of Au Bourguignon du Marais at the end of my block.  Here's the view from my table.  A terrific bakery, Au Petit Versailles du Marais, is just across the street - they won the prize for the best baguette in Paris in 2014.

First, a refreshing melon & cucumber gazpacho with spheres of perfectly sweet cantaloupe, strips of dried Speck ham, roasted pumpkin seeds, and a toasted brioche log.  Glorious!

Then their house terrine of baked ham in “fine herbes” (parsley, tarragon, chives, and chervil in a light vegetal gel) and terrine of pickled onions, cornichon halves and mustard seeds.  And a couple more slices of baguette.  Deeeeelicious, and I could eat only half of it, so my server packed up the rest for me to take home.  

I hope this doesn’t give you vertigo, but I thought you might enjoy the sound of the rain on the awning in this short video (sorry for tilting my phone camera – don’t know why I did that!).  As they say, "turn up the volume!"

With a glass of Saint-Bris Sauvignon Mont Embrasé Domaine Bersan and an espresso, just €45.  With leftover snacks in my fridge!   https://aubourguignondumarais.fr/

"Lost to Thick Brain Fog Day" - Thursday, 28 August

At this time of year there are two direct flight options for MSP-CDG – one from Delta and one from Air France, operating in partnership with Delta.  Air France usually has a more comfortable cabin and certainly better food, and their later departure/arrival works better with my schedule.  I’m happy to report that the food was pretty good (chicken velouté with mashed sweet potatoes – interesting combo!) and Champagne was an option with dinner!  I’m sorry to report that my seat was old and uncomfortable and wouldn’t recline.  The “classical” audio options were interesting, though!

  

Hot Tip, especially for those of you who might be mobility challenged or travel with someone who is: another bonus of Air France flights is that you will probably actually be able to use a jetway at Charles de Gaulle!  My last few trips we parked somewhere out on the tarmac and had to be bused into the terminal, an interesting view of the workings of an airport, but a not-totally-pleasant experience.  This time, no worries!  A nice young woman was right there at the plane door with a wheelchair and we whipped right through the jetway, long hallways, multiple elevators, terminal-connector train, and the no-wait line at passport check.  Then grabbed my checked bag and on to the taxi queue, where there was a separate handicapped line (zipping past dozens of people waiting in the line for “regular” people – ah, the benefits!).

I can never get over my amazement and my undeserved good fortune at being able to visit this glorious city so often.  I can feel stress evaporate and my visage brighten as my taxi enters Paris proper – today’s route even included a loop around the Arc de Triomphe.  By the time I get to my apartment I have one big silly grin on my face.  

the view from my door

I have told some of you about my crazy neighbor here who always has stuff piled up in the little alcove by our apartment doors.  I have said “bonjour, madam” to her a couple of times when we happen to meet in the hallway, but today she was busy transferring items between her apartment and our alcove so we had a slightly longer conversation, and she graciously helped me move my two roller bags down the two steps to my apartment door.  (Of course, she might have been making sure that I wouldn’t knock over her stuff!)  

I didn’t sleep much on the airplane, so arrival day was pretty much lost to thick brain fog and aching limbs despite multiple naps.  What a gift, though, to have a comfy and familiar and beautiful place to take those naps and to stare out the windows at lovely architecture and always-entertaining street scenes!

People Want It, but... - Wednesday, 27 August

 

Have you noticed the number of mailboxes dwindling at post offices and around town?  Well, they’ve even been eliminated from the airport.  I had a couple of things that I really needed to drop off, but couldn’t find the box in its usual location so I asked the lady at the help desk and she confirmed that USPS had removed all but one, which it was outside the secure area (and many other people have asked!).  Crazy.  I mean, ya have lots of time to kill after checking in for your flight, time in which you could, oh, maybe be writing a letter and want to drop it in the mail.  Too bad!  Apparently the "Service" part of USPS' mission ain't so important any more.

Here’s my traditional “Last Burger Before Paris” at Stone Arch, today with a MetroNOME “Altbier” amber ale.  Yum yum and always a good sign of adventures to come!

Escaping the Madness? - Wednesday, 27 August

 

So, what do you think?  Can an ocean provide a buffer from the political madness of the USA?  Stay tuned for hints, if not answers!

"À bientôt, Paris! See you in August - Thursday, 13 March

 

Cheering Up a Chilly and Soggy Afternoon! - Wednesday, 12 March

On this slightly chilly and soggy afternoon, a “coffee break” with a view of some school kids in their red safety vests taking a little walk past the twice-weekly open market at Place Baudoyer was just the ticket!

Placeholder for Comice - Tuesday, 11 March