Ah, Paris!!

In no particular order (as I've forgotten exactly how to blog, and I'm EXHAUSTED...) are photo of me at the Luxembourg gardens, photos of Notre Dame and the Seine, as well as one off us all dressed up to go out for dinner on our 27th Anniversary in Tucson!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Bonjour, nous sommes en Paris!!

Have decided that after traveling to Australia, getting to Europe is EASY (or at least easier…)! In fact, have discovered a wonderful new route from Phoenix! Being a long-time Southern Californian, when I think “travel” I automatically think “LAX” – and most of our trips have somehow gone through there both coming and going. (Also a good excuse to visit friends – Hi, Art & Anne!) But, in searching out a way to spend an Air Canada credit, I found that they flew Phoenix/Toronto/Paris! Voila!!

Got to Phoenix in our rental car in good time. (Always good to put a bit of room in the plan there, as if the freeway between Tucson and Phoenix corks up, no telling how long it will take to get there!) Turned in the car and made our way to Air Canada. As we were going carry-on (yes, I convinced Robert that this would be a good idea, and that all would be well!) we were able to completely by-pass the check-in area and proceeded directly to the gate! Virtually no wait at all clearing through security, so of course we found ourselves with hours (about 2) to spare before leaving. Split a small Pizza Hut pizza and called it a late breakfast/early lunch, and were some of the first on the plane when it boarded. Looked like a brand-new plane; really cute; four seats across with a center aisle. Individual screens at every seat, with a nice selection of movies/TV shows to watch on our way to Toronto. I re-watched “Night at the Museum (I)” and enjoyed it very much. R slept. Made it to Toronto in something like 3 ½ hours!! Very surprising; very nice! Disembarked and headed to our connection. Fortunately, there were agents along the way who routed us correctly – a separate holding area, then passport inspection, and finally out to the new boarding area! Very quick; very professional -- no further security screenings!! Our plane was on time, and thanks to a last-minute change of seats, we got bulkheads!! Interesting seating on our 777 (also looked brand-new!) – 2/3/2 in the first row of economy; 3/3/3 in the following rows. R got the window on the 2 bulkhead row, I got the aisle on the 3 in the center. Very, very comfortable seats; lots of leg-room, which was good as it was a FULL flight!! And – the best news of all – it only took 6 ½ hours from Toronto! WOW!! How great is that?! We left and arrived on time. Good food – I had the beef; R had the chicken. And, as I can NEVER sleep on planes unless I’m rectilinear, I watched: “Bride Wars” (cute; nothing heavy); 5 episodes from season 2 of “30 Rock”, and a very interesting little movie called something like “Easy Virtue” with Colin Firth, Kristen Scott Thomas and Jessica Biel (sp?); also interesting. Truth be told, they did have “important” movies like “Nixon/Frost” and “The Wrestler” – but as neither or any of the others looked cheerful/happy/funny with no appreciable bad parts in the middle, I passed on all of those! Made it to Paris to a very rainy, gray day. Easy going through Customs, and on to the train to Paris. (Note: the machines at the RER station at CDG DO take American credit cards!) Got off at the Luxembourg, and WOW – they have TOTALLY destroyed that station! Seems like that they’re really pushing the Navigo cards, and are taking out most of the cashiers along the lines! YEK!

Walked a couple of blocks to Hotel Le Senat -- Across the street from the Senate building and the Luxembourg Gardens in the 5th Arr. Very nice; comfortable, and best of all, even though it was only around noon, our room was ready and waiting for us! No. 304. Clean; fashionable, but REALLY TINY! Really do miss the flat on Rue Royer Collard!! Hopefully next time…

I unpacked, and then we took turns peeling off clothes and showering. Boy, did that feel good! As it was well past lunch time, we headed out to look for food. Found it at the corner, at Café Au Petit Suisse. Ate upstairs at a table that could barely contain one! We both had salads – mine was with greens, tomato, country ham, pears, walnuts and Roquefort. R’s was with greens, potatoes, tomatoes, cantal cheese and country ham…and of course a couple glasses of red wine! Both were excellent! By this time, we were both to the dropping point, so we headed back to Le Senat for a nap. Slept about 4 hours, more or less, and got up at 6, ready to go!

Headed out for a walk…and walked. Through the Luxembourg gardens, around our old stomping grounds at the flat, past the Pantheon. Visited l’Eglise St. Etienne du Mont, then headed down the hill, following the church bells to cross the river right behind Notre Dame. Went through the memorial for the deportation; very moving, always – then through Notre Dame, and along the Seine. Stopped at one of our favorite places, l’Ecluse, for a glass of wine; R had Pomerol and I had a Graves blanc; both excellent, along with a complimentary plate of salami – yum! From there, we decided to seek a “real” dinner. We made our way past La Monnaie (the mint) and l’Academie Francaise and into St. Germaine des Pres, looking for l’Entrecote, where we’ve eaten in the past. Unfortuantely, WAY too many people in line (they don’t take reservations) so we continued down the street, and into La Brasserie Saint Benoit. EXCELLENT choice!

We had a lovely window table, and great food and service! R started with an avocado with vinaigrette dressing, following it by Durade (fish) with a baked potato. I had the home-made vegetable soup, followed by a skewer of chicken with Sauce Chausseur and pommes frites (French fries). Traded most of my fries for R’s baked potato (which came with a TERRIFIC sour cream sauce with chives…) and we both cleaned our plates! Also ordered a bottle of Sancerre (one of our favorite whites)…For dessert, R had a tarte du pommes (apple tarte) which came with homemade vanilla ice cream; I had their tarte citron (lemon tarte)…unbelieveable!!

It being now something like 9:15 (and still light outside!), we walked back to Le Senat. A beautiful ending to a wonderful (albeit long!) day!! (Note: R is sleeping soundly as I write…too bad I’ll have to wake him to get me logged in and the pictures posted…oh well!)

Take care! Plus demain!
m