Ah Paris

     I write this at the Paris airport on our way to the next part of our trip. Paris was wonderful. The food was always great even burgers and fries. I thought that more people here take pride in their food jobs as they are more likely to make a living wage in Paris and others suggested a feeling of national pride. The wine was also excellent, even the 'house' wine. I will also reiterate how wonderful our appartment was. It was comfortable, spacious, convenient, and well provided. Our hosts say that they are going to retire from posting online any longer so I am sad to say that I will not be able to recommend it. Thanks Olivier and Marie-Pierre. 

     July 3 we split forces after breakfast and SPCL took the Métro north to Montmartre where we wandered up the hill past the Wall of Love to Sacré-Cœur. We stopped for coffee and pastries near the top where Cael professed to have "the best croissant I ever had." Then we viewed the hazy city from the steps and toured the basilica. 

     We walked down to the canal where we had lunch and shopped. Stephanie bought a beautiful dress. We had lunch canal side at Le Sésame. Steph and I had big salads and the kids had salmon bagels. 

     We met the rest of the party at the appartment and took the Métro south to Montparnasse, the tallest building in Paris, where we saw the whole city and got lots of great photos. We ended the day back at the appartment where we had dinner of sautéed market veggies over pasta and a rosé with my name on it. It was getting warmer that day and the rain was a memory. 

     Yesterday, July 4, was a busy one. We got up at a good hour to get a lot in. Upon many suggestions we went to Blu Sucré for breakfast. Beautiful pastries. We wandered the Aligre Market. It was Market day and the surrounding streets were full of veggies and antiques. Then we crossed the river, walked through the Jardin des Plantes to the Grand Mosque of Paris. They have a café there with delicious mint tea. 

     We walked up a beautiful midevil street, Rue Du Bac, and we bought little bits and bites from an Italian market, a gourmet gelato store, the best creperie we found, and a beautiful tart maker. 

      Then we met our tour guide for her Paris Café tour where we had many tastings including chocolates made for Marie Antoinette. We saw the oldest cafés and reasurants in Paris. Then we split forces. Cael and Lumia and I found the Tintin store and the rest headed home to start dinner. This was our last night in Paris so we emptied the fridge. 

     Paris was wonderful I miss it already.