Paris - Duexieme Jour

Slept in until late morning then B and I ran out for fresh croissants. How can you not?

Then off to Notre Dme to experience it in all its glory. Couldn't help but notice a scooter or 2 along the way. There are more scooters in Paris than beurocrats in Victoria. The difference is that scooters are good for something :) HA! I have been riding my scooter for the last 2 years and felt like I had come home. The gals in thier heels and dresses - men with ties and suit jackets. It's scooter utopia!!!

Enough about scooters. 28years ago Iwalked into Notre Dame and was gob-smacked by the beauty of the stained glass work. Would it be as impressive this time I wondered? Well I'm glad to say that it is as awe-inspiring today as ever. It' a must see and do for the stunning visuals, but also the peace and calm that permeates the space. We just sat and took it all in for 30 minutes or so wonderful moments.

 

Well we traipsed for a bit longer mostly lookking for a dinner spot. YIKES! Paris is not for those easily overcome by sticker shock. You can easily pay upwards from $30 for a hamburger from a little street restaurant. In the end we decided on a great place in a square with lots of people milling about. Again - the people watching is outstanding. Everyone is dressed up.

 Jake and Stevie share a pitcher of Sangria while Brigitte nurses a perfect red wine. She looks very happy - we should stay here in Europe on vacation :). Dinner comes and you can see by the picture that this is not the Keg or any fancy looking place but! It is without a doubt the second best steak I have ever had. (Il Terrazo blew my socks off with a perfect Rib Eye a couple years ago)The bearnaise sauce is out of ths world. I'm not just saying this because I'm on vacation - this dinner was unbelievable! Check out Briggy's cool Paris outfit. She got thumbs up and compliments from the French men all day. Sheesh garcons - tell us how you really feel!

We next visited the Latin quarter. Its a busy people filled spiderweb of streets and shops that are mostly restaurants. And it smells sooooo good! Well worth a visit to see the street performers and soak up the energy of this old world region. I spoke at length with a waiter on an extended smoke break and learned that tourism is off by about 30% this year. I told him London was busy...he offered an expletive textured comment on his view of the english. Some things never change.

We ended the evening by taking in the Eiffel tower. Hmmmm. One might say that its as good a view from a bridge on the Seine as it is up close. One might say that while it was an architectural marvel in decades past, it no longer has top billing. One might say that if they are cynical - but I am not. It is beautiful. I did not, however join the 300+ person lineup to walk up the steps of the tower or the even longer lineup to take the elevator. We headed home in a light rain that was a welcome treat from the heat we have been enduring over the past days.