My choice of coffee drink is a latte, which is an Italian word for ‘coffee with milk.’  Café au lait is French version of that.  At dinner this evening, I asked for café au lait to accompany my créme brulee.  The waiter asked me something in French, to which I looked at Noelle for help.  She explained that they don’t do that at night.  “What?  No coffee in the evening??” …continue reading

On the train ride to Chartres Cathedral today (1-hour trip), I rearranged some items in my backpack including my 18-200mm lens which I temporarily set on my seat.  I failed to put it back in my bag and left it there when I got off the train.  The realization of this tragedy didn’t hit me until at least an hour later.  Needless to say, I couldn’t really enjoy the rest …continue reading

I think I’m in love with the Louvre. What a magnificent and grand building! As I stepped into the courtyard this morning, which is surrounded by the museum’s three wings, I couldn’t believe I was actually there. I can only imagine what that palace was like during its glory days as a residence. I had two hours to kill before meeting Noelle this afternoon, so I took a tour of …continue reading

So far, I have not come across a “snobby” Parisian.  I believe that if you go into a situation truly expecting a certain outcome, then that’s what you’re going to get; it’s all perception.  During my first lunch in Paris, after the waiter proclaimed, in a comical manner, “Yes, I speak English!  You do not speak French?” the man sitting near me later leaned over and asked where I was …continue reading

Well, now that it’s past midnight, I have some time to write.  Noelle and I have just returned from a 3-hour dinner of which mine consisted of goat’s cheese mousse and fig chutney with bread, peppered steak (not tasting of the American variety), and a delicious wine. Previous, we took the Metro to Charles de Gaulle Etoile station to see the Arc de Triomphe all lit up.  We made it …continue reading