BACK TO PARIS

The trip from Tuscany to Paris was uneventful.  We were able to book our favorite apartment next to the Montparnasse tower and train station. It is the area we have grown comfortable in and know most of the shops and restaurants. It is a great place to decompress from a long journey.

Montparnasse tower..the highest building in Paris

It is early winter weather with cloudy skies, gusty winds and cool temperatures. I spend my mornings sitting on the Place Fernand Mourlet watching Paris come alive. Delivery trucks unloading everything from wine to fresh fish to toilet paper. Parents walking their children to the school around the corner. There are as many fathers as mothers holding the hands of the young ones.

The admission to this show is kind of steep. Prices at cafes are set by where you sit. Outside is the most expensive at $5 for a coffee. Years ago someone gave me some good advice. "Ken," he said "don't think of it as an expensive cup of coffee. Think of it as renting, for just $5, a piece of the most expensive real estate in the world. So remember, location, location, location."  That changed my whole outlook. It is true that once you buy a cup of coffee or wine you can sit there forever. Reading a book, sleeping, whatever you want. We time rushed Americans have a hard time grasping this concept but if you can become comfortable with that concept, it is great. You can sit and watch a free show for hours if you wish.

There are alternatives to this high price, though. There are small fast food type places that you can get a coffee and croissant for $2.50. They even sometimes have outside small tables.

or 1.50 euro coffee and crossiant

As usual, we did a lot of walking, some museum special exhibits, and some fine dining. Fine dining does not mean expensive. Just little meals, usually the "plat du jour" , the daily special. Of course, I did not eat nearly enough doner kabobs (gyro to you Americans, but much better) in Turkey so I had to have one here. As for museums, you can go to one a day for a year and never see all the museums in Paris.

 Ok, say "cheese"....

 ...now everyone change positions.

 Leave it to the Americans to be the first to sell Christmas.

 At the Louvre no less.

September and 80F

 November and 50F

Where else can you see an upright piano as a street instrument

 The Rue of a great little Vietnamese restaurant.

There are 8 small tables in the space as big as an American bathroom.

 The French will protest anything.  That is why I love them.

 Why do city people want the biggest dogs?

 Art we saw.....

...and art she stole.

So the loop has now been closed and we are off to pick up the cat from my Mom and Dad and go home. It has been a great adventure and I have been very fortunate in my life to be able to do such trips. As always, I hope you enjoyed the ride. Thank you to all those who made this trip possible.

THE END

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


The next "known" adventure is the Scooter Cannonball Run in April 2012. This is a race on scooters from Savannah, Ga. to San Diego, Ca on scooter. I will plan to race and raise money for Escuela Bilingue los Algarrobos in Canoa, Ecuador. Please check www.lostboaterdiaries.com for updates on this adventure.