Papera Gialla va Napoli

The duck is in Naples and your are not. Sorry about your luck. I have heard about the weather in Klumbus and elsewhere. I was out in a light sweater today. Nya nya (quack?)

Unfortunately for me my luggage is still in Rome. Score: Alitalia 2, the duck 0. It is due this evening at the hotel. If it doesn't arrive I will have to buy some clothes and such. Next time I won't check luggage. I have become trusting because it has been a long time since my stuff was delayed. There is such a long list of contraband for carry-on that I decided to check my bag. A less frugal (read "cheap") traveler would just buy what he needs at his destination. On the return trip delayed or lost baggage is less of a problem as I have all I need at home. I've become complacent.

I've decided to abandon this blog, the Alaska trip and Camino de Santiago, and return to Lachan Bui.
which can be found at; http://lachanbui.blogspot.com/.

I'm new to this blogging and this is apparently the preferred protocol.

souvenirs

I have not offered to bring back any souvenirs this trip. There is a reason. I will be packing a few rounds of Camembert cheese. Everything in my luggage will smell like feet, albeit the feet of angels. The one Harley Davidson Bastille t-shirt should have an appropriate air. For everything else there is immediate laundry.

The Duck airs an opinion.

Thoughts

Food at the street markets in Paris is priced in Euros per Kilo, not Dollars per Pound and the description is in French. Try to keep this sorted out while assuring he doesn't place his thumb on the scale.

On a mild day along the Seine you will occasionally encounter a woman sufficiently beautiful as to momentarily stop your heart. (So far it has restarted reliably)

Camembert cheese smells like "The feet of angels".

French bread. Why doesn't anybody in Klumbus make it the right way? (Okay, I know the answer, because it only stays fresh for about 4 hours. Klumbus bread is good for at least two weeks.)

Running and bicycling are social activities. You can carry on a conversation while doing either. Motorcycling, even with friends, requires that you "Be happy in your head" as you close out the rest of the world when you don your helmet.

"Anything worth doing is worth overdoing" Mick Jagger

So says the Duck

Yesterday I went for a very long walk to La Defense. I discovered that all the fuss about the Grand Arch and all goes back to a monument commemorating the defense of Paris from the Prussians in 1870-71. There is a gimungous shopping center there. I've never been to Mall of the Americas but this has to be on that scale.
Because of the narrow streets and very tight parking it is unusual to see a car towed. This driver's offense must have been severe!
Part of my walk today was to observe river conditions. This was the first truly seasonal day since I've been here! The snow is melting and there must have been a lot of it upstream. When the Zouave has wet feet the river is in full flood. He has only about half a meter of freeboard. Some of the river cruises as well as Batobus have suspended operations.
I've taken a lot more pictures but don't want bore anyone. The weather was tolerable but too cold to go running in. Tomorrow I will try to run with the Hash. Monday most of the museums are closed and Tuesday I fly home so this trip is pretty much over. If I have any notable adventures I will report them.

Quack! said the Duck

Today I went for a walk. Again. The temperature was still about 33 degrees but the sun was shining. I stopped at perhaps the best ice cream shop in Paris. Certainly the most expensive. I had two scoops of Chocolate Noir (Black Chocolate ice cream). They were very small scoops but well worth the extravagant price. My Seasonal Affected Disorder was momentarily in check. This is perhaps the best ice cream shop in Paris. It is on Isle St Louis.
Today I walked routes I have done many times. The sun made a welcome addition to every view. This view of Tour St Jacque is better than most. The church that was associated with this bell tower was the starting point for many on the Camino De Santiago. I direct your attention to
Quack!

Walk walk walk Espresso, repeat.

Yesterday and today I did some serious walking. My legs were sore at the end of both days. I would have accomplished the same in years past by running for an hour in the morning. The temperatures are not conducive to that. My favorite venues are muddy too.


Here is an amusing monday morning phenomenon. The green ball is a receptacle for bottles. When it fills up, as it is prone to do over the weekend, the environmentally conscious (and conscientious) drunks pile the excess bottles around it.
Here is a sculpture next to Eglesie St Eustacie. The church is one of my favorites. It was built in `1223, about the same time as Notre Dame. In some ways it is better preserved than Notre Dame. I've no explanation for the sculpture. It must have something to do with Le Halles, the underground shopping center which is beneath it.
The snow is an indication of the weather we've had. It started out cold and grey then after few hours the snow began. I was admiring the Christmas lights at Printimes and Galleries La Fayette when the sidewalks became "Slicker 'n snail snot". I walked on for an hour or so then gave up and took the Metro to my room.

This is the coldest November in my fifteen years of spending the month here.

The Duck

The morning after

No pictures with this post, alas!

I had such a good time at the party last night I didn't get to bed until about 3:00. The food was exceptional and there was a lot of champagne and wine. I may have made a date with an attractive British woman. As soon as I have renewed my membership at the Circle National de Armees I shall call her and see if she would like to have lunch or dinner at the French "Army Navy Club". Rather impressive in my opinion.

Today I had lunch with a Sri Lankan friend. His first two choices of restaurant were closed so we tried his third. He seems to know everyone involved in food service in Paris! He is an interesting fellow.

Life is tough here in Paris!

I'm still
The Duck

H3 Xmas dinner

The Hash House Harriers had a christmas dinner. In typical Hasher fashion it was "Rude Crude and Socially Unacceptable". We all had a great time. I had to leave early as the Metro stops running at about 0100 hours. Alas!There was dancing and other misbehavior. Next time I will bring a tie. The dress code specified "Something from the nice side of your closet". When you travel "Carry on only", you have only one side to your closet. I still had a great time and was not too under dressed.
As ever,

The Duck

I've been chastised severely for not posting more often. I just haven't a lot to say!

Here is a photo of a new traffic sign in Paris. This is a one way street for cars with a bike lane that runs counter. Something more for the pedestrians to watch for when crossing the street!
For the last two days i have been wandering the 16th Arrondissment more or less lost. I prefer to do that. I find new things that way.

This is a TESLA. It is an electric car produced in the US. This is the first one I have actually seen...on George V (Shorge Sank)...in Paris! Go figger!
This is a replica of the flame on the torch on the Statue of Liberty. It is not a monument to Princess Diana who died in the underpass beneath it. It was here long before she bit the big one. The tour guides would have you believe otherwise.
This is an interesting building on Avenue Rapp.
Okay, this says but does not mean "Privy" The toilet is behind the adjacent door!
In my wanderings through the "City of Lights" I stumble on a few interesting sights. I hope you enjoy my experiences as much as I do. I wish to add "IT IS COLD!" (Shouting intended)

I remain,
The Duck

A subfreezing walk through Paris

Yesterday, as I was walking past the Invalides I saw this Citroen truck. I think it is about 50 years old.
I continued on to Luxembourg Gardens. There was a photo exhibit on the northeast fence of the garden. It was of views from train windows over the past hundred years or so. A few were interesting. Some were complete with sound effects.

I then went into the garden to see if the pond was frozen. I am intrigued by the little houseboat for the ducks!
I continued on to St Sulpice and then to St Etienne du Mont. I just like these churches and I had an hour to kill before the Irish Center opened. I then went to the Irish Center to see their exhibit. Photos of the Peat Bogland of central Ireland were rather dismal. There were a couple that appealed. Then I went to the Natural History Museum to see the gardens.

Monet painted something like this. I did it in a picosecond and there are no brushmarks!
FedEx has a very small presence in Paris.
And it was very cold in Paris.

Duck out.

Place Saint Michel

This is the fountain at Place Saint Michel. This is where Parisians have a romantic rendesvous. It is Paris's version of the top of the Empire State Building. Since there are no romantics in Klumbus there is no equivalent.

The Euro version of the Mercedes Smart is about 8 feet long. The Toyota IQ is about 9.6 feet long. This example is mounted on the wall at the Toyota exhibit on the Champs Elysee.
Here is a prototype of the car I want. It is an actual working, functional car. The pretty girl who showed it to me seemed to think it is a pure mockup. I couldn't convince her to go for a spin in it. Alas! Now the question is; Is there any connexion between the naming of the Toyota answer to the Smart the IQ? Gee, do ya think?!

Pondering these and other thoughty thoughts, I remain,

The Duck

Things to ponder

In the distance you see the Grand Palais. The blue mini buses in the middleground are of more interest. This is the park between Invalides and Pont Alexander. There are few people around. What's with five vans full of French Riot Police?
This is a French sandwich shop. Does it use Submarine (Italian) buns or proper french baguettes. I'll never know.

I remain, your faithful correspondent:

The Duck

Paris Freezes

It is cold and grey in Paris. I've been out for seveal walks and a ride on the BatoBus which is a river boat/bus. While on the Batobus it began to snow. The wind was blowing the snow horizontal. It was cold. I rode the boat for one and a half circuits of its route. That is permitted as it is "Hop on Hop off".

Here is a panoramic view of the Grand Palais. This was taken from the front steps of the Petit Palais, which is by no means petite. The Christmas Market is open on the Champs Elysees.
There are also Christmas Markets at St Germain De Pres and at least two of the train stations. The Christmas lights on Rue Commerce are lit. I'll try to get a photo of Galleries Lafayette and Printemps. The skating rink is in place at Hotel de Ville. It is truly winter in Paris.

Yesterday I made onion soup. I tried at least fifty versions over the years and I swear that mine is as good as the best I've found over here! I can't make Escalope de veau. At least I'm unwilling to try.

I sit here nibbling on a true baguette and remember why I prefer French cuisine. Why can't Merkin bakers make a baguette? Why are there sulfites in wine? Why do we call it a building when it is already built? Shouldn't it be a built?

With true apologies for not posting for a few days I remain;

The Duck

Today I walked up to Avenue Le Grand Armee to see the motorcycle and scooter shops. The Motorcycle shops were as before. There were large displacement bikes and overpowered bikes galore. On past visits there were an abundance of 200cc motorscooters. In the US these have been displaced by 250 and 300cc scooters. Here they seem to have evaporated and the 125cc scooters prevail.

Of course there is always the Fiat 500 or "Chinkwe Chento" which has experienced a revival. This is a sport model. They are about as much like the original as the BMW Mini is like the Morris Mini.Toyota also makes a Smart car competitor called the IQ. All are at least a foot longer. None is very "Smart" in that they have no substance to them. Of course, I have never seen any drivers over here with a cell phone pressed to their ear. Driving over here is a full time job.

The Big Mac Index

The price if a Big Mac here is 3.30 Euros. That is about $4.42. Since it costs about $2.89 in Klumbus Ahia, we now have a better comparison for the relative value of currencies. This is still far from perfect but may be better than the exchange rate. Using this comparator the true exchange rate is about 1.52 Euros to the dollar.


It may also be of interest that the beer at MickyDees costs 1.90 Euros a glass. I've bought beer at McD's in Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. I am ashamed to admit that I entered the reviled place but I wanted a photo and the receipt. This time I will settle for a photo.


I assure you one and all that I will not cross the threshold of a Starbucks.

Duck out

Monday in Paris

Today was a much more pleasant day. I went for a long walk, looking for a specific restaurant. I found it. I then went looking for motorscooter dealers and other restuarants and hotels. There is a severe shortage of scooters bigger than 125cc. My Beverly 250 would be a monster scooter here.

Tomorrow I will visit the motorcycle dealers on Le Avenue De Grande Armee. There is a row of motorcycle dealers that consumes about four blocks. I will try to show some photos.

The infamous HHH

This is the Hash after the run. In the rain. Before the Down Down. I was punished severely for wearing too new shoes. I was also punished for beating the hare back. Also some of us for wearing shorts in 45 degree temps.

Punishment consists of gulping down about half a cup of beer.

There were twenty runners and about 25 showed up for Thanksgiving dinner. I had a delightful time.

Sunday in Paris

This is a vender at the Marche Grenelle (Grenelle Farm Market)It's no wonder the food is good here. Here is a mushroom vender with more varieties of shrooms than you would think there are. They are here for about six hours and will be somewhere else tomorrow.


There is a nursery on Isle de Cite (the island where Notre Dame is). They sell bird houses there. I was wondering if Vince could copy the third one from the left.

It is a grey and dreary day here with a misty rain. But it is a dreary day in Paris! I'm off to run with the Hash House Harriers! OnOn!

CANARD JAUNE DANS PARIS

That is the proper french translation of "Yellow Duck in Paris" I screwed up. I am so inept as to be unable to retitle the blog so I will live with it and suffer the abuse.

Enough! I am now in Paris. I arrived yesterday. Charlie Smith and I are sharing a "Studette apartment" in the 15th Arrondissment. The last two days were spent escorting friends of his to a very nice restaurant and to the Marche Puces or Flea Market near Saint Dennis.

I have discovered that I may know too much about Paris. It seems that I feel compelled to explain nuances about the culture, the architecture, and the history of Paris that others find boring. I may know the place too well. Alas!

Today I spent most of the afternoon at the big Flea Market near Saint Denis. If I had the inclination, this would be the place to spend several weeks. I also went to Shakespeare and Company with Charley's friends. I am about to look into a local restaurant that I have read about. I must away!