Not surprisingly, this puppy didn’ t last long. I can leave Bordeaux now at peace … Oh wait, what about the Paulliac …

Get there early, expect to wait and wait and wait to pay lots and lots and lots, prepare to rub shoulders (hips, knees, any and all extremities) with your fellow humanity. Once in a lifetime, meaning never again.

Go figure …

W was chopping celery to make a soup stock – the aroma caught my attention from across the room. The produce here is bursting with flavor – the garlic has a musty tone that’s just … just … slurp. We have a butcher 3 doors down on the street, W was buying beef for Boeuf Bourguignon. The butcher was getting frustrated, we realized after the event, because W was trying to buy too good of a cut of beef. He relented and took what was proffered. Eating it was a light-bulb moment – despite being the cheapest cut of beef the butcher had – it just melted in the mouth (ugh cliche). I could live in this town … if W’s cooking …

Le Marais has seen a resurgence of the Paris Jewish community of late, alongside a strong Chinese community in the northern part and the growing Gay community in the southwestern portion. Great people watching from just about any cafe you care to park in.

Honest, no Photoshop ! The windows of the museum have a treatment to lower the interior ambient light – it plays games with digital cameras.

If you don’t have a European “Chip ‘n Pin” debit card, coins are about the only way you can buy a Metro ticket at Gare du Nord, and if you don’t have coins, go buy a box of tic-tac to break a bill. At the end of a very long day of traveling it’s hard to be philosophical – but this is my effort …

The mothership for steamer trunks … Is there anything more satisfying than a battered piece of high end luggage ?

Rue du Rivoli was closed to traffic because of the various Mayday parades and demonstrations. Stores are all closed since Mayday is a labor holiday.