Paris

Before stopping at les Champs, and I am hungry, very thirsty, etc., but I want this, we go to the Eiffel Tower. It is sparkling. He drives up to it, turns around, then back to it 3 times, saying this is special for you. smile

I am so spoiled. This time I am! Usually people just kick me in the but so this is good.

Paris, le Tour Eiffel, la Seine, it is Heaven. I mean what else can you call this place!? the first time we came here with my family and this same kid was our tourguide, we went up on the Eiffel Tower. I felt as if I was in Heaven.

We didn't go up. Didn't have the time.
Monsieur had to be back for work at CDG at 0500 hours in the matin/morning.

So to the Champs and faire du parking.

Underground and then you hike up several flights of stairs. Outside it is cold, it is wet, but I love the snow. In Ohio I would go for walks in the snow. Though after everything settles, then it gets icky and slippery.

He said how cold it was, I explained this is actually warmer than London, if you can believe it. I can't speak for Frankfurt, I never got outside of the airport, laugh.

Our restaurant where we always go is closed. I am like, ok, he was actually sad.
Again, he only comes here when I come.
Dude, if I lived here, I would be here every weekend.

Oh and the women are to die for. Last time he dropped me off and I did the Champs and Virgin tour alone. Ah, the women, need I say more. What we American men call eye candy. Sweet it is.

Ok, so there is a Pizzeria, ristorante Italiano, sound good? He suggests it.
I am in France, should I not have French food? but I go for it. I love Italian food, but in France? Kind of ironic as when I go to Montreal they have the most incredible Italian food, something Angelenos can only dream about, with portions that Americans would sue over. No more supersize!

Up les escaliers/stairs and we get a table on the spot, which is a coup by itself.

The place is packed and crowded, yet very clean, intimate, and fun. You don't have the space that we have at our restaurants but at the same time, you can eavesdrop on everyone's conversations.

I love the French. I love to hear French.
I love to watch them. Their women are probably the most beautiful in the world. Yes, Italian and Israeli oh and Brazilian(not a kiss up, honey!) are up there, too. Actually, Brazilian women are wonderful and babes, whether it be a kiss up or not. LOL

It is fun to watch French people. No flight crew in the world impresses me more than Air France. I stand there like an idiot and I stare. They are so well dressed, very composed, and very good looking.

I stood there one time at Mirabel/Montreal and stared at the AF flight crew as they headed for security. One guy actually looked back, smiled, and waved. Awesome.

I get my coveted Orangina. It tastes better here in France than at home, even than in Montreal. Bread and butter, I have plenty.
How many Oranginas I order, I don't know. To my delight, le monsieur, who is part Italian, orders San Pellegrino, so I win on both counts. May I have some prego? Perrier is better, fyi.

We both get veal, mine is Milanese. It is Heavenly. The pasta that comes with it is Heavenly. The mousse au chocolat is to die for. Dieu benit la France. (God bless France)

Normally we would do the walkabout and Virgin Megastore(it is HUGE) pilgrimage, but he needs to be up at 5am and it is already late.

I will be back. ah duh. I was just here in November.

Back to CDG and this time we fly back.

Autoroute is empty. Even though I leave tomorrow, I see Paris for the last time tonight, always an emotional thing for me.

When we leave Paris it is like I am leaving a wonderful party. They are playing and I have to go. Montreal is the same. I hate it!! Though we in LA do ok.

I am already tired and I can feel it, le jetlag. My body clock is so off now.

I also am grateful for his sacrifice.

I get one last look at the Eiffel Tower.


Back to CDG I ask if we can please drive around Aerogare 1, one of my fav. places in the world, kind of like Heathrow's Terminal 4 and Frankfurt Terminal 1.

He does one better and we park. He brings his backpack, uh oh, I know what this means. Airport Shopping.

He says hello to colleages, as this is where he works.

Every timetable on the counter, some not on the counter , fall into the bag. There were some loose other goodies dans le sac(into the bag).

We tour everything. I get Icelandair Business Class luggage labels, yeah.

It is wonderful.

The woman is at the Emirates desk and he doesn't want to bother her, so I do.
I ask her in French for a couple of timetables and she smiles and hands them over. SFO Phil, see what I do for you!
He bought alot of dinners last time he was down here, so fair.

This was fun. I love this terminal and take one last look. They are going to remodel it. It needs a facelift badly, but I love it all the same.

I love that dingalingdong that goes off. So very French. Qatar Airways now boarding.

He shows me mercy and stops at a Total station for some drinks. Orangina which did me well at JFK and some waters. He even pays for them.

I never needed to exchange for one Euro.
I don't think I even used my bank or credit cards once while in France which was a good thing. I really pushed it.

BTW, when he comes here, his money is NO good and we have actually fought over a bill. I took he and another, who you will meet shortly, to my favorite Japanese restaurant near my university. The guy grabs the bill and pays it.

If you ever wanted to meet a wonderful Frenchman, here ya go.

He takes me to the hotel in the snow and it is all white now. A big hug and goodbye.

I am grateful that I didn't leave the window open as I would have had snow all over my bed.

I love the view of the snow falling past the old fashioned lanterns and it is just so beautiful. The planes in the yonder distance are all white covered in that pretty wintery stuff.

Some late night tv and some quick packing.

I am exhausted and so to bed.