Monday November 5th

When I wake up, I am surprised by two things. First, the head cold seems to less severe, but it is heading south into my chest.

The second is when I look out the window and see clear blue skies and sunshine. This is surprising because when I woke up in the middle of the night, it was pouring down rain.

With such beautiful weather, there was no way I was going to let a cold slow me down. And what better way to start the day, than by going to Angelinas for hot chocolate.

Now I have heard many here on Fodors rave about how great the hot chocolate is. And they are not wrong!!! Couple it with a fresh Brioche, now thats how to start a day!

After this little slice of Heaven, I head over to courtyard of the Louvre to take shots of the fountains.

From here I take a very long and leisurely walk through the Jardin des Tuileries. The fall colors are amazing!! This leads to so many photo op's.

After leaving the Jardin, I am at the giant ferris wheel set up at Place De La Concorde. I decide to take a ride. Talk about a view of the city and photos

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I would have got more shots, but the car you sit in will start spinning at any moment or movement.

After the ride, I decide to go and check out the famous Rue Cler in the 7th. Okay, is it just me, but I don't get why this place is talked up so much. In my opinion, there is much more to see and shop for on Rue Montorgueil. I was a little more than underwhelmed.

From here I have two choices. The first is to go to Tour Eiffel which I had visited twice on my first trip. Or to go to Place Des Invalides. I opt for Invalides.

Okay, I should have paid more attention to my guide book, because, due to it being Monday, it is closed. So is my next destination, the Rodin Museum. Oh well, another excuse to come back to Paris!!

On my way back to the apartment, I once again stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries. Along this stroll, I come across the inner child in all of us

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This little 'Diva' is too cute for words!!

Tonight for dinner I head to a place I went to last year, La Cour Saint Germain Restaurant, 4 Rue Du Faubourg Montmartre.I found this quaint little place last year when I tried to go to Chartier, but the line was too long.

It has maybe 8-10 tables. For 28 euro, you get an entree, plat, dessert and a Kir Royal. I have the pan seared Froie Gras with Toast Points, Roasted Duck Leg Quarter, served with roasted potatoes. All cooked to perfection.

For dessert, this is why I really liked this place so much last year, you go up to a table that has about a dozen different choices and you cut off a piece whatever size you like. I opt for the Creme Brulee, which they take to the back and carmalize the top for you. All in all, a great meal!!

After dinner I head over to the Louvre for some night photography. Instead of a tripod for this trip, I have brought a cool little device that is known as a 'Gorillapod'. It has legs that are about 7 inches long and flex in all kinds of directions.

Using this, I wrap the legs around the rim of a trashcan of all things, to capture this

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I keep on taking pictures until I am kicked out by the guards. So I head on back to the apartment and call it a night.

Tom

Tomorrow - The Lizard King

Tuesday November 6th

Due to the fact that the cold has firmly planted itself in my chest, I had a really restless night. I thought for sure I was going to cough up a lung.

At first I decide to just take it easy and hang out at the apartment and do some editing of my photos. That is until I look outside and what do I see, a second straight day of clear blue skies!!

I can not, no matter how bad I feel, pass this up. So I decide to head out to Cimetiere de L`Est du Pere Lachaise, the final resting place of many famous people like Chopin, Edith Pilaf and the reason I am going, The Lizard King himself, Jim Morrison.

It is a bit of a hike from my apartment, but I just take my time and enjoy the scenery and the crisp fall weather.

On the way I stop at Cafe Voltaire, a small family run cafe, for lunch. I start with the onion soup. Talk about a LARGE portion, great flavor and lots of onions. It is also what the doctor ordered. Not only did it warm me up, it seemed to lessen the congestion in my chest. I then have the roasted chicken and frites. I don't know how the French do it, but the frites were still hot at the end of the meal.

After lunch I finally make it to the Cimetiere. It is alot larger than I had imagined. First, with a map, I go looking for Chopin's grave(which I never find). Okay, one more time, map reading skills plus Tom = No Chance In Hell of finding it!!:-D

Then I go looking for Jim Morrison's grave. This takes quite sometime. And it also seems like I am not alone in trying to find it. I see many people with maps in hand who are just as lost as me.

Eventually I find it by following other people in the same pursuit. There are about 6-8 others there when I get there. There are lots of flowers and 'other' tributes.

It amazes me that although he has been dead longer than he was alive, so many (myself included) seek out his grave.

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From here I head back to the apartmrent, grab the laptop and head to Starbucks for the wifi service. By now I am starting to feel like Norm from Cheers. Because when I enter, all the Baristas say, Bonsoir Tom.

After about an hour of going through and sending emails, I head back to the apartment. I have a nice quiet dinner in with a couple cups of tea spiked with some Johnny Walker Red. After some photo editing, I call it a night.

Tom

Tomorrow - The Latin Quarter and lunch with an ex-pat

J'adore Cafe Voltaire! One of my favorite spots for a quick lunch, grumpy waitstaff (and small menu) aside. Your report is also great. Don't keep us hanging too long for the next installment.

Hi Tom, I am still enjoying your trip report and yes, that little Diva is precious!!!

I am so sorry your cold turned into a chest cold and I admire you for plugging along and still enjoying your time in Paris!

I hope you and Diablo are safe and dry up there in wet Seattle. Take good care!

Hi tom,

"I have the pan seared Froie Gras with Toast Points"

qu'es que c'est "toast points???

great report.

regards, ann

Tiff - That is a good question and I hope my answer makes sense. The thing I like the most are the diffrences that at the same time are the same.

Like the food for instance. Two totally different and unique experiences. But yet they are both born in local Tradition.

To be honest, on my first trip to Paris last year, being at the end of a three week trip, I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought that I was going to be underwhelmed.

Boy was I wrong!! On my first day there I arrived at Tour Eiffel just as it was being lit up. Talk about a welcome to this amazing city.

I spent the next 5 days just walking the city and just knew I would be back. And now after this second trip, I now know that in the future, I will explore more of France.

I also know that after 3 trips to Italy, I will without a doubt return again and again. She is still number 1 in my heart!!

Make sense?

ann - Toast Points are little triangles of toast to put the Froie Gras when you eat it.

Tom

Tom, it totally makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Many happy returns for you and for all of us that pine away for wonderous days of wandering.
:)

Any chance of getting the final installments of this fantastic trip report?

I agree. Would love to hear about the rest of the trip, TRSW. I am a big fan of your photos and need to know where your "happy little feet" took you next! I mean I know it is supposed to be the Latin Quarter but what if they took you somewhere else? Do tell....;)

lifeofmytime and Degais,

I am sorry about not finishing this. I will try to do so on Wednesday or Thursday after I return from Germany.

There will be a report and pictures link from this (Germany) trip soon.

Tom

No need to apologize Tom! I still haven't done my Scotland trip report from last September. At least I took good notes so I'll be able to do a hal decent job of it whenever I get around to doing it.

Enjoy Germany!

Well, Germany as well??? Then by all means take your time. I have actually not been to Germany and will enjoy your reading your report once it is posted. I love your style and your photos!

And I totally get your missing Diablo when you are away. My husband and I generally get to about Day Four and then we start saying, "I wonder what the buddy is doing? Do you think Spencer misses us? I could use a buddy hug." Followed by a big sigh. LOL

So hugs to Diablo! :)

I too am anxiously awaiting your return from Germany so I can read the end of this great trip report. Then of course it will be time to start the report on Germany, right? J

Tom, really enjoyed your report so far. Even more, my husband and I enjoyed the pictures from Rome. It was fun to see familiar places! We also loved the view from Castel Sant'Angelo. The hours were odd there. For no reason we could ascertain, the armory was closed, to the kids' chagrin.

Our kids were too wiped out at the end of each day to do a night tour, but we will have to, after seeing your night shots!

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