A Quiet Day in Paris

New Year's Day is always quiet. Here in Paris is no exception. However, lots of tourists (like us!) were out and about doing nothing. We were out of the apartment by noon, took the Metro to Pigalle----looks less like "pig alley" than in the past---and rode the little Monmartrebus up to the top of the hill. The day was very sunny, but windy, and everyone wanted to see the view on a clear day.

We walked down the steps and around the neighborhoods. Our friend, Roth, recommended a restaurant, Le Sancerre, so we found it and stopped in for late lunch. It wasn't anything special, but, you know, every meal can't be wonderful. We walked all the way to Opéra, caught the 27 bus to St. Michel and walked home.

I spoke with Michael and Doug using the Quick Cam---what astounding technology---and then read for a while.

The New Year's Eve chicken was the best chicken I've eaten in a long, long time. Absolutely delicious. Normally, I only eat fish or beef here in France because the chicken I've eaten before was awful. As tasteless as the others were, this was superb. So we enjoyed leftover chicken on fresh French bread. Yes, the bakeries are open. (They were open on Christmas Day, too.) No respectable Frenchman can be expected to do without fresh bread. I believe this was a lesson learned by Marie Antoinette many years ago.

Jeff wanted to go to the movies tonight, but last time we looked out it was raining again. And colder. I lost my umbrella last night, and I'm a bit like a cat anyway: I don't like getting wet. So I think we are chez nous tonight. I finished Snow and I'm now reading Three Junes by Julia Glass: an OK book, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

A slow, lazy day. Home beckons but not for another few days.

Food, not fashion

New Year's seems to be all about food in Paris. Oh, yes, and champagne. Even though today is Sunday, nearly all the specialty food boutiques were open in our neighborhood. We are eating chez nous tonight---too busy and too crowded to go out. The menu St. Sylvestre for us includes: paté, four or five different cheeses, roast chicken with roast potatoes, fresh green beans, lots of wonderful French bread, and la buche Keyser for dessert.

This little buchette is a delightful concoction of chocoate cake, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream. You might not be able to tell from the photo, but it is about 3" long and about 1.5" tall--not counting the garnish. Just enough for one or two.

We've already had the first course of paté and cheese. I'll heat up the chicken and potatoes, and cook the green beans in an hour or so.

Our current plan is to eat slowly and late (for us!) then go outside, walk up, and stand on one of the many bridges to watch the fireworks. However, we aren't 100% sure there will actually be fireworks. The Pariscope (clever name, eh?) lists nearly everything going on in town for the week but no mention of fireworks. Since we are located right on the river, it doesn't require too much effort for us to go out and watch. If nothing lights up the sky, we can be back home in minutes.

The weather is a bit iffy, too. The sun I hoped for today has been blown away for another day. If it is raining, we'll stay in. No promises about staying up until midnight either. You know, been there, done that.

May 2007 bring prosperity, happiness and good health to all!