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!