December 24, Christmas Eve

We slept for 11 hours last night. Unheard of for me. Julie is starting to get a cold so I went to the Eric Kayser bakery for some comfort food. Stopped at an old morning hangout The Village Ronsar Cafe and Brasserie located by the Maubert Mutualite market on St. Germain for coffee to go. The guy that I have known for a couple of years was not there and the owner was behind the counter. He charged me more than in the past and I figured prices do go up. Brought the food and coffee up to the room for my bride and then went downstairs to check on a concert we wanted to see, check and send e-mails and to see what I was still worth. Going slow today, big night with a Midnight Mass finale.

Decided to go to the Eiffel tower and take a ride up and maybe do some ice skating on their rink on the first level and take in the view of Paris from above. Hopped on good old bus number 87 and arrived at Champs de Mars. It was windy and cold. We moved quickly towards the tower and were happy that there were not a lot of people. We have been very lucky with crowds so far. The Eiffel Tower was closed, What? Weather related we were told but they were going to be open on Christmas Day so we hopped on another bus and went to investigate the Invalides area which I believe was the 15th.

We walked around looking at decorations and stopped for a hot chocolate at Cafe Richard. I was walking in the door when Julie noticed that if we looked down the street south we could see the Eiffel Tower.

The restaurant we were having Christmas Eve dinner at was called La Petit Bordelais and we saw it while strolling through the neighborhood. No GPS tonight. Found the bus stop and saw that bus 63 which has a stop on our street, rue des Ecoles. How convenient. It will be easy going back and forth tonight.

Took a bus and then switched to the metro and found ourselves at our next destination, the Rue Montorgueil the pedestrian market neighborhood. We loved the area which was recommended by a certain Fodorite (K). We walked all around and decided we needed a snack. Couldn't resist the name "Planet Sushi"! Loved it and I might add that their T
toilettes, W/C, bathrooms are very nice and the area downstairs is really mod! This neighborhood is the kind you don't have to leave if your staying close by. Even though it's a "pedestrian" street we did see several scooters (in the snow again) and a few small cars snake their way through.

Back to the hotel and I gave my wife a warm kiss and told her I would miss her even though she was walking 20 feet to the hotel and I was going 100 feet to the Eglise St. Ephrem church to purchase tickets for the candlelight Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven piano concert and would return in 10 minutes, Love is wonderful

After a short nap, we are off to our Christmas Eve Dinner at La Petit Bordelais. I made reservations for this many months ago to assure us of a table. We gave them our name and after checking the reservation book, they said our name wasn't there. I reached into my back pocket for the confirmation e-mail and I had left it on the desk in the room, SH--! I told him about when I made the reservations and I think he could tell I was not leaving. They consulted and then tried to seat us right next to the front door which was ajar and didn't close all the time. I would have none of that. He knew it. They gave us a nice little table where it was warm and cozy, Thank You. (the owner did send us an apology because he was the one I was e-mailing to and he misplaced our reservation)

Fixed Menu: http://www.scribd.com/doc/46505532/Reveillon

After an incredible dinner we hopped on good old #63 bus and made our way to Notre Dame for Midnight Mass. As we got close we didn't really see too many people and figured that getting there at 10:30 was smart, WRONG! The place was packed to the rafters, not really, only the main floor but I think you get the meaning. We started to look for seats, how stupid, there are none. OK, lets find a post we can lean against for an hour and a half. Julie actually found a nice spot and they had Large TV screens set up like they do at a rock concert so you could see the alter, cool! A couple decided to leave and so we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Perfect spot my wife picked, Kudos!

(disclaimer) A choir came out and lined up all across the front and I thought here we go. WRONG! It's an hour before the service and instead of playing and singing Christmas Carols they play the most depressing music and sing in hushed tones and the organ is barely audible. I have grown up Catholic and should have expected this. Why can't they play something to lift up the spirits of all the people who are crammed into this historic church. I'm depressed and maybe a little angry. Maybe I should have gone to a gospel church where they know how to have an uplifting service.(IMO)

We are tired, Julie's leg is sore (very purple) and they are bringing me down, we don't stay for the service. Merry Christmas

December 25 Christmas Day

Went out in search of coffee around the Latin Quarter but nothing was open, not surprised. The Maubert Mmutualite market was being set up, business as usual. Was able to get coffee at our hotel and brought it back to the room. I walked out on our balcony and "It's a bird, it's a plane", no, IT'S THE SUN! First time we have seen it since we arrived. Off to a good start.

We were going to go to a Mass at Notre Dame no matter how miserable it was. First we walked to the bridge that leads to the L'ile of St. Louis so we could put "our lock of love" on the fence. I heard rumors that it is a waste of time and money because the locks get removed. We know, let us have our moment. It was one of those moments like when Chevy Chase puts his arm around Rusty's shoulder and says "There it is, Niagra Falls", OK let's go. We did say a few nice words to each other but after 35 years, nothing new. We have to return to Paris if for nothing else to see if our very cool western lock is still there, RIGHT?

There was a crowd for the 11:30 Mass but we were able to find isle seats 3/4 of the way back. We were pleasantly surprised as the first song was sung with gusto. The organ was playing and the sound was wonderful. Music when played right sounds amazing in these old churches. The acoustics rock. The mass was in French but from my upbringing, I was able to follow along. They even snuck in some Latin which I knew from being an alter boy when I was 8. (Got kicked out).
Julie was reading the program they provided in French and I was actually beaming with pride watching her. We were lost in thoughts and after 4 priests said some words in front of the alter with their backs to people they moved away to their assigned seats. I looked down the isle towards the alter and couldn't help myself (disclaimer). They had put a small crib angled up the stairs by the alter. When I looked up the isle it looked like Baby Jesus was looking directly at me and I started laughing, it looked so hokey. Julie asked what was so funny and by my own admission, a major mistake, I showed her. Boy, did I get "The Look". I'm still getting it. I am telling you this because it happened. I mean no disrespect to Jesus, the church or anyone else. It just struck me as funny.

The service ended and it was beautiful. Hearing a sermon in French made me tingle. What was a not so good experience the night before became an experience I will never forget. We are so glad we went back on this, Christmas Day.

Hopped on old #87 and headed to the Tower. There was a crowd but it wasn't bad. Bought our tickets and moved quickly with the line and entered the elevator car. Up we go. This is our first trip up. The views are breathtaking, the Seine glistens. The sun has made everything and everybody happy. It is so clear out we can see forever, what a site. When we got to the west end we saw the Trocadero Christmas market from above, our next stop. They told us that the 1st level was the only one open but did notice people walking up stairs to higher ground. We did not follow. The ice rink is very small and the Zamboni machine had not laid fresh ice for awhile. Lots of kids, laughing , falling and having a grand time, I was jealous. We didn't skate. I would have drawn too much attention when I did my triple axle jump (right on my Ass).



Walked over to the Christmas market and Julie asked about Vin Chaud, my stomach does have a memory and I figured that this was what was causing my tummy issues, I stayed away. We did purchase some kind of sausage sandwich that was very good. Real thin sausages piled high with onions and secret sauce. YUMMY!

The rest of the market was interesting and they have a little hill set up for the kids to sled down. I was jealous. I asked my wife if it would be OK if I just slid down once? Got "The Look".

Went back to the bus stop and noticed a major presence of men in uniform with very cool weapons. They were wearing body armor and looked like they were from "Total Recall" or something, I found them to look funny, I laughed and ducked at the same time wondering if Julie would smack me. Got "The Look". Actually, they seemed in good spirits and were switching off smoking cigarette and laughing so we weren't concerned with being attacked by the bad guys.

The bus we wanted to take was not running so we took another until we saw a metro entrance and exited. Back to the hotel for a short nap before dinner. Very few people within the bowels of the Metro system, eerie!

Another metro ride, this time to Neuilly, which, I guess would be a suburb of Paris. Out comes the GPS. Start walking in circles and give up. Into a hotel for directions. The counter lady told us she didn't know the area, WHAT? After many moments of silence waiting for her to find someone who did, I asked and she called a fella and he came to our rescue, sort of. We said we were looking for Charles De Gaulle, not the person, the street. I wanted to be clear. He walks us outside and points at The Arc and says to hop on the metro and go 2 stops and exit and we will be there. Something is telling me this is not right. We start walking and I stop. Info is trying to get from the back of my head to the front. I take out the lists I had made and Bingo! The restaurant is not in Paris but Neuilly. We do get back on the metro but go back to where we originally got off only this time we checked the "Sortie" and found there was a Charles De Gaulle exit. Now the GPS leads us directly there. We show up 1/2 hour late.

Sebillon is our choice tonight. They serve an unlimited amount of Leg of Lamb carved table side. It comes with some sort of beans, which were quite tasty

It was not that busy and we picked a table by the window. Ordered some wine and then some Oysters. WOW, DOUBLE WOW! They were so fresh that one of them asked me if he could turn over so he wouldn't see the inside of my mouth! We ordered more. We were in Paris at the right time for Oysters.
I had the unlimited Leg Of Lamb which was extremely good, found I liked it better medium to medium well. It only took two helpings before I figured that out. Ended up eating four plates and would have tried for a fifth but I was getting "The Look". Julie and finished her scallop dish much earlier. The waiter spoke perfect English but I only think he heard in French. I told him I am allergic to lemons and he suggested that I put lemon on the Oysters, WHAT? Maybe Julie was having some fun, wanting to punish me for my antics in church. Outside our window was a perfect view of the Tower as it did it's lights dance show on the hour, how romantic

We were very pleased with the restaurant and would recommend it. Elegant inside, I think it's pretty old, but doesn't look it.

Back to the hotel and some sleep, Au revoir!

I'm enjoying reading as well. We were there over Christmas and New Years and boy, can I relate to the jubilation of Christmas Day's ~Sunshine!~ as well as sleeping for 12 hours. My husband never sleeps that much but we sure did in Paris!


Ok, enough about me. Back to you. Keep it coming!

Sorry about your accident and love that you used BG's technique!!

We had every intention of making it to mass at Notre Dame but didn't get up in time before our ridiculously extravagant Christmas lunch at Le Cinq!

We did love the market at St Sulpice which is right be where we stayed. Someone had posted photos of Strasbourg before we left and it looked beautiful...jealous that we didn't think to go while we were there!

Funny, we both woke up Christmas Day with colds...ours weren't too bad but you never want to be sick at all on vacation. We were also thrilled to see the brilliant sunshine on Christmas Day.

December 26

Another day of laundry. I was up early and got it going and then walked down rue de Ecoles to the "Breakfast in America" restaurant. I really enjoy all the pastries and bread but it was time for Ham, eggs, potatoes and toast. Wasn't disappointed. Very good and the fresh squeezed OJ hit the spot. Back to the laundry to switch loads. Bought Julie her morning coffee and some treats from Eric Kayser and she was awake when I returned. Picked up the clothes and we were ready for our day.

Couldn't find a website for Josephine Chez Dumonet so we decided to go to the restaurant to find out what their hours were. GPS took us right there but no sign with hours, SH--!

We went to the Catacombs and walked down the circular stairs of death into the very dark chambers of the dead. As we were walking I was doing my best Vincent Price monologue about what was lurking around every corner. Julie was not impressed and not only did I get "The Look", but told to SHUT UP! I was excited with anticipation and after walking forever we finally reached the dead. Bones everywhere. I started up the Vincent Price routine again and you know. It was very cool seeing all the bones but after awhile they all look the same. I started singing, "The hip bone is connected to the thigh bone.... She was not impressed. Julie does not like being in tight really dark places. I'm glad she doesn't live within my head

Strolled around the 14th and continued south where we finally saw what a "T" train was. Realizing we were within reach of our Chinese restaurant we hopped on and headed back to the 13th and Chine Massena. Julie needed some soup and they have a wonderful variety there. The bowls are large and filled with dumplings and noodles. We had to order a small amount of Dim Sum to go along. Ate more of their very tasty hot sauce and were full and happy. Had a great time with the little Chinese kid at the next table. Even his parents were laughing at my silliness, Julie was not amused. You know what happened next.

Forgot to mention that while riding the "T" train we passed a very large stadium that I would guess is used for Soccer or I believe it's called Football in France, very impressive. Had no idea it was even there. Tried to get Julie to ride with me back to the stadium to check it out but she knows I would somehow get inside and getting arrested in Paris was not on her list so all I got was "The Look"!

Back to the hotel and a short nap. Have you noticed we are napping almost every day? Think we're getting tired? We have now walked almost 100 miles since we arrived.

Up and at 'em. Over to Zig and Zag for a bottle of wine and we talked all about the trip so far and what we have left out. I know, I had purchased tickets for a ride on the Seine over the internet at a reduced price and it's dark and the City of Light's is glowing. I notice that the TV inside has an American Football game on, Jets vs Bears, I turn with a smile on my face and Julie immediately shakes her head "NO" with "The Look". Off to Les Vedettes du pont Neuf.

We arrive for the 8PM shove off along with the other 6 people. This can't be good for the company, they are losing money on this one. Go down river (?) towards the Tower and Paris is alive, we are smiling ear to ear. We pass the tower and there is only 10 minutes till the top of the hour. After turning around, I mention to Julie that the current is in front of us and we are moving much slower, good, we should pass the Tower when it does it's dance. We pass it and then with a flip of a switch, the Tower goes bananas. No matter how many times you see this, it's still mesmerizing. We continue and I am really looking forward to going past the L'ile and Notre Dame all lit up when we start drifting back to the dock, WHAT? I ask as I depart why we didn't do the whole cruise. They say we ran out of time, WHAT? I think it had more to do with cost. Bummer.

Metro ride to the 5th and our favorite crepe stand on St. Germain. Nutella, coconut and bananas for Julie and ham and cheese for me. Heaven!

Back to the room and we switch on the TV and start to watch CNN and I wonder why? We each had a chocolate cookie that we bought at Eric Kayser. Sorry, Mom, these are the best I have ever eaten, Nite, Nite!

I really am an enjoying your report and your writing style. So very jealous of your trip.

I love the report.

That stadium you saw was the Stade Charléty, the second largest stadium inside the Paris city limits (after the Parc des Princes -- the huge Stade de France is in the suburb of Saint Denis). 20,000 seats. Unfortunately, it is vastly underused because there is no team of any sport based there. Strangely enough, it houses the offices of the French Olympic Committee. In recent years, it has been used for an Ultimate Frisbee competition and the French 'American football' finals.

December 27

"Got up, Got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head"

Out for our morning coffee and sweets and then we did a dry run to Gare de Lyon so we could familiarize ourselves for our upcoming high speed train ride to Switzerland. Very large train station and we talked with the lady in charge of the info booth to find out where our train might be. Of course she didn't know because we were two days early but explained to us to see her when we arrived for real and she would tell us if it wasn't listed on any of the display boards. It took less than 15 minutes to get there and another 10 to get the info. We were armed with info and ready.

We ride the metro a lot and can really enjoy some of the musicians that play in the tunnels. You see many different types of instruments, some I don't even know what they are but we actually like it. I mentioned to Julie that they should form a small band, it might sound better. When we had switched at Saint Lazare that is exactly what we saw. There were 10 guys along the wall playing a beautiful song and as we walked past, I thought good for you. I stopped and asked Julie, "what is our hurry" so we walked back and listened for 15-20 minutes. These guys were pretty good. I did tip them for their efforts.

Hopped on line 14 for our day in Montmartre. This line really is a fast one. Four stops later we switched for our ride to the Abbesses metro stop but not before a bizzare but funny experience. As the train was arriving for our ride on line 12, I noticed one car had only a few people in it and we got in that car and sat down against the front wall of the train. The doors closed and right away we knew why only a few people were on it. The urine smell was potent. A guy in his 30's was asleep in his chair with a can of beer in his hand and another 5 empty under his seat and he had pissed himself. We had our hands over our nose and mouth and at the next stop we ran off the train and got back in the car in front. We could see back into the car we left and 4 young girls entered laughing and having fun, not for long. The doors closed and their reaction was very funny. Looks of horror on their faces, they held their hands over their noses and one looked like she was going to barf! Train stops, they exit and get in our car. The universal language of fanning your nose worked perfectly and they all smiled. Of course more people got in that car and all of us knew what was coming and shared a good laugh when the new people would discover what we already knew.

We strolled through the Christmas market and walked through the neighborhood, up and down, up and down. We needed lunch and found the restaurant we wanted,La Part des Anges but it was closed, SH--!

After reading menu slates at several restaurants we settled on Le Saint Jean. Julie is trying to call Josephine Chez Dumonet and is getting frustrated because the calls won't go through. She has an info card and she follows it to a "T" but can't get through. Julie had the ham and cheese sandwich that was very long and the top piece of bread was like a grilled Asiago cheese. The cheese on the inside with the ham seemed like a Swiss. It was very good, had a bite, a true cheese lovers sandwich. I wanted to try Steak Tartar and I did and loved it. It came with fries or frites and I must say, anywhere we have had them they have been very good. I guess that's why they are called "French Fries"

We really wanted to reserve a table for lunch for our final full day at Chez Dumonet so we hopped on the metro and headed for the restaurant. We were able to get a table for 1PM the next day. We heard and read so much about this place that we were saving it for our last day.

Strolled around the Montparnasse area for awhile and then to the metro, back to the hotel, and our little nap time.

Back on the bus and we arrive at Champs de Mars 10 minutes before the hour. Time to film the Iron Lady as she twinkles.
Our mission is a success and we head for Sacre Coeur area for some night shots and a visit into the church.

We had read about a funicular that takes you up towards Sacre Coeur. We had been here before to enjoy the views and listen to some very good folk music on a previous trip but had no idea where this was. DOH! Up the steps to the metro entrance and there is a large sign pointing towards it. How could we have missed it?

We get on and of course I am as excited as a little kid on a carnival ride, you know, I take the tripod that I have been carrying around at night off my back and set up shop for a night shot of the church. Julie then asks me if we can go inside. I was dumbfounded. "Didn't we go in last time"? No! Why we didn't I'll never understand. We entered and it took my breath away. The most beautiful church I have ever been in. We stood and gawked at every inch, Gorgeous!

Tonight's restaurant is La Romantica which is also located in Neuilly. I have been listening to the song on their website off and on for over 6 months. I think it is a beautiful love song. Have a listen some time, funny story about that later. Metro to Neuilly and then the GPS comes out for the last time. It led us right there. I knew it was a good idea to bring this, Never again! The restaurant is very elegant , warm and cozy. All Italians in here. The waiter helps us with a wine selection that was affordable. They actually had some wines for over 700 euros listed. Do you get a better buzz for that much? Julie had Tomato and Mozzarella as a starter, Fettuccine Alfredo done table side with a liquor fire show. Very cool how they do it and very tasty, filling. I had Smoked Eggplant Parmesan, the very best meal I had in Paris. I also had the Veal Wellington and again, it was unbelievable. This place is excellent. We asked the head waiter what the song was that was on the website, he came back with a card that had the name "Le Parain". When we got home we looked it up and it was "The Godfather". Searched the internet and listened to every song from the 3 CD's and it wasn't there. My son is a genius when it comes to the internet so I forwarded the info to him and it turns out that it is not from "The Godfather but "Emmanuel", a porno movie!

Very tired, time to go home, more sweets and then we dream.
Au revoir

December 28

Not a good day for me. I drag myself out of bed, feeling like SH--! I have a craving for coke, not coffee. I find a magazine store that has a refrigerated machine and I grab 2 cokes, warm, SH--! Stop at the corner for Julies coffee and I feel like I am going to drop, not sure what's wrong. Over pay for coffee again because the boss is behind the counter, I'm getting suspicious of this guy. Back to the hotel and I barely make it in the door when all hell breaks loose, and I mean loose. Had some kind of 24 hour flu and ached from head to foot. I couldn't keep anything in, from either end (TMI?)

Julie offers to go to the pharmacy to get Imodium and some comfort food. I can't eat anything. Lunch at Josephine Chez Dumonet is only a couple hours away and I can't even stand.
I try and sleep but can't, I just lay there. Asked Julie to go shopping or something, entertain yourself, I'm not going anywhere for awhile. No lunch for us. We will hit Chez Dumonet next time. She is worried about me but finally goes out on an adventure. I sleep for awhile. Decide to watch TV but we only get CNN and BBC in English. BORING! Back to French cartoons, not funny. Long story short, Julie went to the concert and I stayed home. I don't know what I had but it paralyzed me. She brought home some comfort food but it didn't work. I think I lost 10 lbs that day. Julie came back from the concert and said it was fabulous, SH--!

My wife saw some things she liked but figured it was available at home and less expensive. Didn't buy anything. Gotta love that girl. She has had a cold for 5-6 days, has a leg that is yellow and purple but never complained and being the gamer she is, just kept going. I get sick and act dead. I suggest she take me to the Catacombs and leave me there. I get "The Look", but she laughs and says "It might not be a bad idea, SH--!

Lot of train travel tomorrow, I have to get better, until then..........

Your trip is eerily similar to ours cuz we got colds the day after Julie and my husband got very ill during the night of Dec 27 and into Dec 28...the bad news is that we were travelling on the 28th. Thankfully, he didn't "lose his lunch" again but he was feeling so bad!

I was so focused on getting us checked out, into the cab, out to CDG, checked in and on the plane that I had no time to feel bad for him until we got on the plane! Naturally, we left over an hour late, plus 9 hours of flight time, customs, blah, blah...he went to bed when we got home around 5pm and slept all night! It was a few days before he bounced back. We were in biz class, thank goodness, or it would have really been awful and we had a very attentive flight attendant.

We can laugh now, but at the time it was bad. I thought about having to stay in our very small room all day if he weren't able to travel at all.

Aww I'm sad you didn't get to go to Chez Dumonet, I was just reading up on it online. Next time!

Do you have pictures uploaded somewhere for sharing?

You poor thing to have a virus like that on hols, not fun.

France just decreed an epidemic of the intestinal flu last week, but obviously it has been rising in prominence for the past 15 days or so. I am waiting for my turn.

December 29

" And now, the end is near, I face the final curtain"

Woke up early and it's gone! I'm weak but feel a lot better. Time to head to Eric Kayser for some of those delicious chocolate cookies and brownies for our trip to Switzerland. I walk in and only bread is out, SH--! I leave dejected and notice several homeless people going through the cans out front taking the bread that Kayser must have just thrown away.

We did see more homeless on this trip because of the cold. They were scattered throughout the metro. Most we saw there were sleeping with many blankets or sleeping bags. We witnessed 4 police officers, I think, trying to get one up and out but he would have none of that. Several were out on the streets just siting there with there cups out for any spare change. Very Sad.

Went to the corner Brasserie and there was a woman behind the counter, not the boss and I ordered the usual and she says "3 Euros", I ask "each"? I get 'The Look" from her and she says "No, total"! I knew it. The boss was charging me more because I am an American. If you go there and he is behind the counter, he looks like Peterman, Elaine's boss in Seinfeld, avoid him, crook!

Back to the hotel and we quickly pack for our upcoming adventure in Switzerland.

We had some bread and cookies left and decided if we saw a homeless person, we would offer it to them. I knew where a woman hung out because I saw her each morning. I walked up and asked if she wanted them and SHE gave me "The Look" and said NO! I wondered if I offered a bottle of wine, would she have taken it? (disclaimer)

To the bus and we arrive in plenty of time and are told by the info lady that our train will be boarding on the Blue lines, WHAT? All I see are numbers and letters. She laughs at the look on our faces and points to the sign right behind me. I'm an idiot. We purchase a couple of sandwiches and another coffee for the wife and head to our track and board. I look at my pedometer and it reads 133.4 miles. That's a lot of walking. Can't imagine how many miles we road on the metro and bus. I am sentimental wherever we go when it's time to leave. Double that for Paris, our favorite city. With tears in our eyes the train pulls away from "The City of Lights"

Once again we would like to Thank all the Fodorites who contributed to our successful trip. Special Thanks to kerouac for all his knowledge and pictures, I admire you and am glad you enjoyed this. Would love to meet you someday. We have been reading trip reports and other posts for almost a year in preparing for our journey. We could not enjoyed it as much without you. We are working on the picture part of our vacation but if you remember we are electronically challenged. It might take a few more days. I will post our trip report under Switzerland and title it, "11 days in Paris, On to Switzerland" in case your interested. Did anyone think any of what we wrote was "Rude and Crude"?

Our opinions of the restaurants we ate ate. 5 Stars being the highest, DAH!

Julies list: Terry's List:
Mon Vieil Ami***** La Romantica*****
La Romantica***** Le Florimond*****
La Jacobine***** Chine Massena*****
Le Florimond***** Sebillon****
Chine Massena**** La Jacobine****
La Petit Bordelais**** La Petit Borelais****
La Petit Prince**** La Petit Prince****
Sebillon**** Mon Vieil Ami****
Le Saint Jean*** Le Saint Jean***1/2
La Tarrasse*** La Tarrasse***
Zango*** Zango**
Cafe du Marche*** Cafe du Marche**

Au revoir

I'm glad that I could be of assistance and/or inspiration. However, I note that you stayed in the main tourist areas this time and that I have not yet managed to entice you to some of the more unusual sights. ;-)

Nope not rude and crude. Any pictures? Will look forward to the Switzerland portion.

kerouac, We did have a lot of places you suggested on our list but with it being winter, it seemed like we weren't out as much as usual. When we arrive next time it will be different. Got all the "touristy" stuff out of the way. We are not museum people and that contributed to eating up our time also. It dawned on me that I never went to your area to check out the futuristic carousel, SH--!

Hi all,

This is Julie. Have been looking at uploading our photos and have belonged to Snapfish for a while. I can use them and provide a link but everyone would have to sign in with a user name and password. I signed up with Kodak Gallery and the quality of the photos look good, but I only can see that you share with email or Facebook. Can anyone tell me how to provide a link on Fodor's when using Kodak Gallery? Sorry, this stuff is all kind of new to me. Thanks for any help provided.

I think Kodak gives you the option to send a link to the photos to people. Sent the link to yourself--at the bottom of the e-mail there will be a direct link to the photos. Should work.

And thanks--looking forward to Switzerland.

WOW!!!!!!!! Loved your report, Travelbound44! I can't believe how much you did. I walked a lot in Paris, but I can't begin to think it was close to 133 miles!!!

I feel for you on the bathroom thing. Had something similar happen a few years ago in an airport. And your wife in the subway...OMG!

I'm happy to hear you had a productive "sticking out of the tongue" experience. Liberating, isn't it? I'm currently angry with my college age son who's still home, and I stuck out my tongue at him the other day.

Loved your report, and now I'm certain that my next trip to Paris (who knows what year that will be) should be during Christmas.

Happy new year!