April in Paris

I know ... I know .... I know I have jumped way ahead.

I will get back to London in the next few blogs. Briefly, we visited the British Museum; the Tower of London; the Crown Jewels; rode down the Thames; the British Library, the Royal Mews, the making of Harry Potter; saw a musical play on the West End; the National Gallery again (with expresso and mocha - but no commentary); Buckingham Place for full hour changing of the Guard; ate Ramen, Pizza and greatest cheeseburger alive; rode the Underground extensively and took the Chunnel to Paris. I should also mention back to Covent Garden and about 14 miles of walking in one day.

That is Wednesday through Friday. And on Saturday we rested and travelled to Paris.

So I have a lot to tell. But, not right now.

We are in Paris. We arrived this Saturday afternoon via the Chunnel. Okay, it is cool to travel under the channel. Italian trains have these trains (the return trip to London was much better) beat on cleanliness, comfort. They were just cool. Italian seats have a table between them so you can talk to your party: the seats can face forwards or backwards and the Italian trains have in the middle a elevated digital sign informing you the speed of the train. It simply is no fun to be going a 160-180 miles an hour if you do know you are going 160-180 mph.

Security at St Pancras station is airport tight. I was pulled out for inspection and check for explosive residue. It took about 10 minutes. The young lady was very polite and I was very polite. Politeness is a good thing in a security area.

I do have a recommendation. I noted too late that in London and Paris ATM ask if you want Euros or Pounds. I now know why. Before boarding the train/plane, you obtain the monies appropriate at your destination. I know "simple" "makes sense". You're ahead of me right. Yes, that was me walking in front of the Gard de Nord trying to find an ATM for cash to pay for the cab ride to the apartment.

The apartment is great. It is small as you expect. It is on the fourth floor which is actually five floors up. It is a challenge. There is an efficient elevator (again, small - one person, maybe two)which helps.

The apartment is laid out on two floors with the kitchen and living area at the top of the building. The view over the roof tops is Norte Dame central right from the windows and the rest of Paris before you.

The adventure is that the single bathroom is on the level below with a rail-less narrow stairway as the ingress and regress. Further complication is that this bottom level also has the larger bedroom and entry so more narrow steps to climb and descend - but, at least, it is a short narrow stairwell so if you fall you will bounce off the walls on the way down breaking your fall and limiting injury to head and shoulders.

It is worth it. In the "Movable Feast", Hemingway's apartment was on the top floor. I am inspired.

As is my custom (see already I sound literate), I take a walk to familiarize myself with area. I find Les Deux Magots ("Two Chinese Men") and Café de Flore within a 5 minute walk on the Blvd St Germain. Obviously, tourist populated. Rick Steves says so. But, you are never sure if or when you may return. The tables are inviting. You have to sit somewhere and have a drink - why not here. The people are interesting and it is Paris.

It is 21:30 or 9:30 PM. It is time for supper. Honest, the restaurants are full and lines are outside waiting for their reservation. Some of this is that it is Saturday night.

Caroline leads to Moutarde Street Burger. First the English, now the French. Both attempts at the American Classic are excellent. The American gourmet burgers chains in USA should be embarrassed. The burgers have great size, taste and well prepared. When you say medium, you get medium.

The buns and toppings are exceptionally. They enhance the burger, not overwhelm because they are free.

It is the fries. Again, you would think. Come on, guys -you buy the potatoes, cut the potatoes and you fry the potatoes. Yet, the French, particularly, and the English do it better. They are crunchy. Well, not exactly crunchy, but close. The English fries (chips) hold up to mayo, salt. malt vinegar and ketchup. The French are just great. Yes, there is Heinz Ketchup on the table.

The waiter is very cute and he lived in Victorville, CA for eighteen months on a student exchange. I apologize for Victorville. He says he enjoyed his stay.

It is close to midnight by the time we leave and stroll back to the apartment. Crepes are the constant for the street vendors. Street vendors occupy small ""off the street stores". Long and narrow, they are walk-ins. The food is popular fare - this year it is crepes.

The kids order Nutella filled crepes and enjoy. Betty and I head home. The kids spend a little more time walking.

It is Saturday. Tomorrow the Eiffel Tower.