Yesterday the Louvre… Today, La tour Eiffel

Wow Wow Wow

Too tired last night to finish or even start blogging so we are behind a day. We had a big lunch at La Tour so have retreated to our quiet and cool cave to regenerate and this will give us time to blog.

Got going at a leisurely pace yesterday, ate in, then walked across…  “Wait wait” says Joyce “go back farther to dinner at Christine’s”

Okay we bought the groceries and had figured out the place and went back out to get dinner and ate 30 meters from our front door at a place that would be be the best restaurant in HB if it were there. We made an effort to read the menu in French since there was NO English and I actually got 90% of the dishes. Then we ordered in French and the lovely waitperson graciously helped us to an understanding. It was beautiful food in a tiny, 16 century room.  It was contemporary cuisine and very ‘fresh’. Joyce has declared at least 6 times since that if I learn to make the sliced veg salad and dressing she was served then I would have to make nothing more for her …ever….again … for… ever. Now that’s got to be good dressing because it was just regular zucchini, carrots etc. I had chicken in cream and mushrooms. We went back to the unit and fell asleep early.

Just a word about the bed, If Joyce could get it in the suitcase…….. We are having some good sleeps!

“Okay can I do the paragraph I started with?”  “Good to go!”

Got going at a leisurely pace yesterday, ate in, then walked across…  “Wait wait” says Joyce “have we described our little flat?” “Uh No”

So we are in the unit on the premier etage of Stair C. at 17 Rue des Grands Augustine. Most of the buildings in our area were constructed in the C16 and the streets are all still cobble stone. Close by were the Saint Augustine Brothers’ Monastery. Piccasso’s Parisienne  Atelier is two doors down, and Henri 4 was crowned in the building across the street.  It’s a pretty interesting area. That carries on today, in the evening the place is just packed with French folk out for dinner and or drinks.

The unit is recently redone in the very latest materials in side this 16 century shell. Which means everything is small. The toilet is so small you have to come out to put your pants up. There is a room with a couch, table chairs and two big windows on to the internal courtyard. This also has a small kitchenette on the back wall that includes the laundry, ¼ size dishwasher, and oven we can’t figure out cause its both a microwave and regular; and the sink, two surface hotplate, and a Nepresso machine. And big fridge sits over the washer so we are all set. Behind this wall is the bedroom with a queen bed, tiny wardrobes, a writing desk and window with miniature garden balcony over another internal courtyard . Off to the side of these two room bracketing the stair well are the tiny toilet and the salle de bain. All with the best facilities and materials. The curtains are as rich as you might expect from a 5 star place. The ceilings are about 12 foot high so it has a nice feel.  It’s just a bit dark cause there are 4 more stories above so the sun gets down here at high noon  on June 23 only. The light gets down but its just nice and filtered. It is nice and cool in here even now that the weather has warmed up.

“Okay?”

Got going at a leisurely pace yesterday, ate in, then walked across… 

“Still good?” “Okay”

…. The Pont Neuf to the Louvre. We entered the big courtyard at the east end of the whole complex and  were stunned at the size of the whole place. Its like two foot ball fields surrounded by building then the even bigger part is next door! Its wider by half a field and 4 time longer with building on three sides.

So I decide a 360 degree vid in required and as I get half way round Joyce is approached by a pleasant looking man who tried to pull the ‘gold ring scam’ I caught the end of it on the tape (vox only). Luckily the greeter had heard about our first Gypsy man story and gave us the gen on the Gold Scam. He pulled it like a pro. He palmed a ring but Joyce saw him do it and watched him pick it up off the ground. The mark is supposed to see him pick it up but Joyce saw the part where he dropped it first! Anyway he brings it over to her and says “ is this yours?” “No” says she. “well it’s not mine” says he “and look it’s real gold and stamped even”. At this point we say bye and march off.  Apparently it goes that he will barter with you to keep it, or gives it to you then later comes up asking for money, and some times it’s just a distraction to pickpocket you by an accomplice.  Thank You to Shannon our Greeter.

We went in to the Louvre  and then back into the ancillary area where the is a complete shopping centre underground related to the Louvre, On the surface there is this huge park and plaza and you have no idea that there is a huge complex underground.  We went to have a bite of lunch in the Louvre food court! What a hoot!  After Lunch we went back into the main part and headed for the Louvre history section and later the French painting. We were there for hours and saw a fraction of the place! It is seriously the biggest building I’ve ever seen. We just loved the experience. We saw so many images that Joyce had only seen in books and to see them for real was amazing. We had an afternoon coffee and sweety, then walked a different way back to our little cave.

We dropped into bed for a nap before supper and I slept for almost three hours! It was 9:30 when we got going and we wondered as we emerged from hibernation what we would find on the streets at this time. (voice switch)

The joint was popping! There were people everywhere!! And for us two, shy little Canuckaroos, it seemed like all eyes were on us! It is very Parisian to sit and watch; great when you are the viewer, a little intimidating when you are being viewed! We strolled past 100  restaurants, before we felt comfortable enough to go in. Once again, people were kind, we had a nice meal, and headed towards home, only to discover a 24 hour grocery store within 2 blocks from our flat.

Always curious, we entered to see how the locals live. Seriously the variety of interesting things – stuff we consider gourmet – sat everywhere on the shelves of the Paris equivalent of a 7eleven.

Today, May 20 was a huge day for us. It was our appointed rendezvous with the Eiffel Tower and the Jules Verne Restaurant. Oh, my goodness me! Chris has some learning ahead of him, and I am sure this experience will set him on the road to a Michelin star!

We decided to stroll from our flat to the Tour Eiffel. It took us about 2.5 hours, with some detours along the way.

For those of you that haven’t seen it, the Eiffel Tower is, indeed, pretty cool. It’s situation in parkland with a backdrop against the Seine allows it to dominate the landscape. Elevators and stairs are situated in each of the ‘legs’, and people enqueue to be able to go to the vantage spots. As guests at Jules Verne, we had the privilege of an express ‘no waiting’ lift to the top.

I was so worried going in. I thought we would be placed in some back corner and ignored. This couldn’t have been further from the reality. We were seated at what I thought was the best window seat in the restaurant. The waiters were friendly, and smiled at our attempts to joke with them. The food was BEYOND our wildest expectations. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our married life, and a tremendous celebration of our 25 years of marriage!

I cannot recommend highly enough that if you are in Paris, and have the time and the inclination, the Jules Verne is the experience of a lifetime.  Chris is going to pop in some photos of plates, because I cannot do justice to the food through a verbal description.

When I made reservations, the Restaurant had asked if there was a special occasion. I explained that Chris and I were celebrating something we never thought to achieve, our 25^th Wedding Anniversary. At the end of the meal, our deserts were presented with candles, and inscribed ‘Joyeux Anniversaire’. Very thoughtful and special.

Chris and I had several toasts to absent friends, to all of you who couldn’t be there, to all of those that helped us get there. In particular, I felt so ‘capable’ thanks to my darling Dad, who taught me how to read a wine list and source a reasonable drop at a good value. I knew I had made the grade when the Sommelier was impressed!

Jimmy Buffet says, “I wish lunch could last forever”. I couldn’t agree more. Three hours later, we were invited to go onto the 2^Nd Etage Observation deck. So very special! I don’t think I’ve ever seen more people kissing!

It’s half past six and we’re snug as bugs. After all the excitement of the day, we are planning a quiet evening. Chris is having a nap, and I have my feed up. Such an intense feeling of happiness and wellbeing….