Le sigh

La Trou Normand

On our first day - date unknown, we don't count anymore - we checked into our hotel and made a b-line for Le Troumilou, the place Joel's parent's highly reccommended. It was great, upon hearing that we'd been refered the host sent us each a Kir on the house and took great care of us.

Joel's French is all coming back, we have been treated very well everywhere save the vespa-nazis but they can't be helped.

The Marais area where we are staying is very old with narrow cobblestone streets full of boutiques from various local designers. The clothes are beautiful though very expensive here. A little further from our hotel are some stores like Zara which are half the price of at home and we've both lucked out with our purchases.

The whole vibe is so different from London, more calm. Even though everyone is drinking all the time no one is drunk and no one down here is under 25. People are polite and as soon as Joel asks the waitress for the correct way to say something we've got a sure ally.

We spent part of yesterday in the Louvre though only just saw a few things. The galleries leading into the Mona Lisa, the Egyptian rooms and the Napolean Chambers a a whole lot of things that are all a blurr now.

We did the Saint Chapelle and Notre Dame today which was really beautiful. I have found a deli with the most amazing tapanade ever and a bakery with baguettes that just melt in your mouth. I think they add extra butter...

Joel's post missed the fact that we had a very romantic stroll for hours after dinner by the light of the river boats travelling up and down the Seinne. We ended up at the Eiffel tower after passing many building of note along the way. The Eyewitness guide borowed from Tanta and David has been invaluable. We use the Rick Steves for the hotel reccommendations but his maps are rubbish. Wish we'd picked up an eyewitness for London, maybe we'll get one for Nice.

OK, my post is long enough. We are going to La Trou Normand for dinner tonight near our place and will likely walk away the evening.