Even though we’ve been walking an extraordinary dinary amount every day I wouldn’t do it any other way. It’s the best way to experience each neighborhood.
The vestibule leading to our apartment on Rue de Lille-
Yesterday was calling for rain at noon for an hour then clearing. So we took the umbrella but didn’t use it on our walk from our apartment on Rue de Lille, next to Musee D’Orsay, down Rue de l’Université through the Esplanade Des Invalides and further to the Eiffel Tower. (Please forgive all the spelling mistakes the last few days. It takes a while and I’m trying to bang out the daily journal before Kate wakes up).
It was a little chilly after we stopped walking and were waiting on cue to get tickets for the car ride to the summit of the Eiffel Tower. Originally we were going to eat on the second floor of the tower but it was sold out for 12:30 and we didn’t want to stand around in the cold til 1:30 for the picnic at the restaurant “58”. As it turns out because we didn’t advance purchase tickets and we waited past the 1:30 in cue for the summit tickets so we could have done the picnic on the second level and it would have been less time waiting. At all the other attractions on this trip we purchased online tickets while we were en route with no problem but the picnic option was a bit confusing if it also guaranteed a seating so that was the deciding factor for us to pass.
The line was long but I’m glad we waited. The views were spectacular and the cart that brings you up was an experience in itself.
We were pretty hungry as it was about 2 PM when we finished up at the Tower and we hadn’t eaten so we started to make our way back to the neighborhood just south of Pont Neuf in Saint Germain Des Pres. That was one of our favorite neighborhoods -Rue de Buci on the left along with Rue Montorgruel on the right bank.
Along the way one of the many artists that particularly caught my eye was the gallery of Claude Boullé. His work reminded me of our friend Regina Piantedosi’s caustic work.
Late lunch was at Cafe De Paris, Kate got a salad and I got the fourth Entrecôte of the trip. Kate’s found a love for an Aperol spritz. I got to try a new bourbon that I read was a good one, “Monkey Shoulder” and it was great. I’ll be looking for it back home. People doing the no carb diets that are all the rage in the States should not come to Paris. The bread is just too good to resist and the incredible bakeries are on every street.
Cafe De Paris scene-
After lunch we walked across Ponte Neuf to the right bank so Kate could do some more shopping. She got another sorta retro jacket and we walked in and out of a bunch of shops along Rue Rivoli. I tried on a Stetson flat cap at one of the shops and passed on buying it because it was a little pricey and I’m regretting it. I could of course get something similar in the States but I liked the feel and color and material of this hat and it reminded me of the brown wide corduroy flat cap which was the only thing I took of my a Grandfather with the wharf (Captain Joe) when he died. I still have that cap and it still smells like him. I miss him and early this morning I woke up and was thinking about how great a man he and my grandmother Felicia were. How their house was so loving and welcoming even though he was such a larger than life guy. I shoulda got that Stetson flat cap and maybe somebody would have kept it after I die sometime down the road.
Anyway, after shopping we were close to 8 miles on our feet and we headed back to the apartment to freshen up before our last dinner in Paris.
Dinner was at Le Flores and looking across after dinner and laughing with my beautiful Kate I couldn’t believe how lucky I am to share this trip with her.
Day seven 9.1 miles walked.
Time to pack.
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Join us next week to help us celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary! Visit our website to view our special throwback menu and daily specials that we are offering for March 11th through March 15th. 🍾
Warm up with a Jazz Brunch at Feather & Wedge this weekend. Ipswich-based guitarist Harry Wagg. Harry will be performing a variety of traditional jazz, contemporary classics and original tunes!
Reservations highly suggested! 978.999.5917
Sunday, March 10, 2019
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Feather & Wedge, 5 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966
After the storms, there was plenty of beauty to go around. If you were careful taking your steps! Imagine how different it will look in just a few weeks.
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The Metro really is awesome, especially using the Citymapper app. It takes the fear of getting lost right out of the equation. The Citymapper app asks you where you want to go, determines your location and gives you roughly ten different options-walking, bus, train, Uber, and others. It shows you on the cellphone map as you go along the route with the direction you’re headed. I highly highly recommend it, even if you’re just using it walking around Boston. It will always be downloaded on my phone. Available for iPhone and Android.
We took the double decker train from Musee D’Orsey straight into Versailles. Easy-peasy. Especially considering the the station is a couple hundred yards from our apartment. From there it’s a short walk to the opulent Versailles. Stopped off on a side street for a quick gyro from one of the many restaurants and then got to the gates of Versailles. The line looked outrageous, as if we’d never get in but it went pretty quickly and we chatted with some American and Canadian students that were studying in Berlin and they had a couple of months to travel Europe. God bless them for taking this time of their life to do what they probably wouldn’t have a chance to do until they’re really old. Grabbing life by the horns, love it. I’ve now been to Spain, Italy and France in Europe and can’t wait to see more of the world.
The palace is so over the top it makes you wonder where the wealth came from. Floor to ceiling marble, gilded woodwork everywhere, statues, enormous gardens, it must have been wild living in those days if you were royalty.
When reading travel guides and listening to Paris travel videos on YouTube before we came every single guide said to watch out for pickpockets. I’m talking probably 30 different things read or viewed and they all mentioned pickpockets. When that many people mention it, you gotta figure it’s a thing to be aware of.
This was day five and occasionally you’d see a sketchy person but NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER BIG CITY including Boston. In Paris most people walking around are people of means and dressed very nicely. Up to this point we hadn’t had any experience with the pickpockets.
So we settle in on the train back to Paris. Kate keeps her handbag zippered and in front of her and I keep my wallet in my front pocket. By the way there’s no need to carry large sums of money abroad. I’ve used my debit card everywhere.
Anyway, we’re settled on the train for the ride back to Paris and the car where in starts to fell in. We start to chat with an Iranian guy who I wouldn’t have known he was Iranian if he didn’t tell us, I’d have thought he was French. A group of teenage girls probably 18 years old starts to pass through our car. They looked like any other teenage girls would look. Not dressed any differently than my own daughters. The Iranian guy who was very nice to talk to suddenly erupted and started yelling at the young girls to get out the car. He started yelling”Gypsies! Get out of here! Pickpockets! Pickpockets!” It was startling to us and the other passengers. The band of regularly dressed clean looking teenage girls turned the other way and left our car. At the next stop he told us to look out the window of the train, that we would see them. The train starts pulling away from the stop and the pickpocket girls we’re running along side the train smiling and giving the Iranian guy the finger. The entire train car gave the guy that just startled them a big round of applause.
he told us,if you’re not aware and don’t take simple precautions like keeping your bag zippered and in front of you and not open your wallet in front of them to give them a Euro or two you can be safe with precaution. But if you’re dumb they are professionals that have never gone to school and all they know is this life. I understand that this story will turn people away because it’s a scary thing to think about, but in my opinion this is a non factor if you just use common sense. Cities like Paris or Rome are so beautiful and full of beautiful friendly people. We’ve had such great conversations everywhere we’ve been and all we’ve talked about is wanting to go to more places.
I can see someone reading about the pickpockets and saying to themselves “I’m never going there.” But you’d be missing out on so much and all it takes is a little precaution.
It’s the same way about traveling to Mexico. I feel safer in Playa del Carmen than I do on the streets of Boston but there a shooting in Mexico and the press makes it seem like there’s people on the street ready to kill you. I bet there’s more murders in the a City of Boston and it’s not going to deter me from traveling there.
So he headed back to Paris, specifically Rue de Montorgruiel, the pedestrian street with all the markets and cafes. We stopped at Bianco Pizzeria and got the most incredible antipasto plate ever with roasted vegetables, cheeses and bread.
After stuffing ourselves with the antipasto and doing some shopping we took the Metro home to freshen up and later headed to the Champs-Elysees for dinner and a bottle of wine.
One more full day.
7.8 miles walked on day 5
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Begin Your Reiki Journey With Thorough, Supportive Training Steeped in Japanese Tradition
First Degree/Shoden (Beginning Teaching) – 2 day, 15-hour training.**
2 Upcoming Opportunities:
When: Saturday, Sunday. March 23 and 24 and May 18 and 19
Where: Peabody MA
No pre-requisite necessary. Come with an open-mind and open-heart!
Contact Us for Details and to Register – 978-283-4258 or Email: info@dreamtimewellness.com
Usui Reiki Ryoho – a Japanese Healing Art/Method that originated in 1922 with Founder USUI Mikao Sensei of Japan. Komyo Reiki System: A Keep It Simple system of reiki as taught by Buddhist monk INAMOTO Hyakuten Sensei, based on Japanese aesthetic – Less is More.
Learn Reiki (ray-kee)in this traditional apprentice-style training. Class is offered in beautiful, peaceful settings surrounded by nature. Includes instruction, discussion, practice, meditation, attunements (Reiju,) manual, ongoing mentoring and much more. Learn the history of Reiki Ryoho, techniques for self-reiki and self-care, potential…
Where: Gloucester High School Field House, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester
Who: Gloucester families and kids of all ages. Admission $5/family at the door.
What: The Power of Play Festival – a fun day of art, games, slime-making, gymja, legos, obstacle courses and so much more!
Research shows that play helps kids develop the critical thinking, communication, problem solving and collaboration skills that prepare them for life-long success. So let’s move, build, climb, create and have fun together!
Gloucester Education Foundation works with parents, teachers and community volunteers to drive innovation in the Gloucester Public Schools. We support programs ranging from music and theater; to literacy and art; to technology, math and science. www.thinkthebest.org
Hosted by Gloucester Education Foundation and Sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank…
The Virgilios began making St. Joseph rolls in the early 1950s, for the Feast of Saint Joseph, and today, they make them year round. Back then, there were so many families that celebrated Saint Joseph traditions that even as young kids, Joe and all his cousins had to hurry to the bakery after school to help their grandfather fill the St. Joseph roll orders. Now the bread is made with state of the art equipment but in his grandfather’s day it was all made by hand. Joe smiled thinking about how his grandfather would love today’s mixing and baking machines. I went home with a camera-full of stories and bag full of Joe’s bread, both generous, and much-appreciated gifts.
Virgilio’s Saint Joseph rolls are super yummy plain, with a touch of butter, or olive oil, and are even more super delicious made into one of their world-famous sandwiches!
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On Saturday, March 23rd, Glousester’s very own Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken will be hosting a one-evening-only, roaring 20’s themed murder mystery benefit you won’t want to miss!
Come donned in your 1920s best, ready for an evening of intrigue and amusement. As you enter Cape Ann Brewing Company, you will be transported back to the jazz-age where socialites, artists, flappers, and musicians mingle at the swankiest event of the year. You will receive your role in the play and join in the festivities. The party is full of laughter and flirtatious fun… until someone is murdered. Don’t trust anyone – you must figure out who the murderer is before you’re next.
But don’t let a little blood spoil your evening! As you solve the murder, take a moment to savor the four small plates crafted by celebrity chef Wheeler del Torro, paired with four delicious Cape Ann craft brews you know and love.
Tickets are a steal at $75, a portion of which will be donated to our local branch of Crush Cancer and Alzheimer’s. The tickets include includes 4 beers paired with each food tasting, a role in the murder mystery game, and a chance to win the grand prize. There’s a limited number of tickets available, so book your spot today!
PLEASE NOTE: In order for chef to provide the most exciting and fulfilling experience possible to his guests, it is important that everyone in attendance has no food allergy or restriction. If you have a food limitation, please refrain from purchasing a ticket to this event.
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This is my daughter Allie Rose Nicastro, she has been painting on her own for years… she is only 14 years old and is an excellent artist.
She was recently awarded an art scholarship from Bishop Fenwick and sells some paintings, saving her money for Fenwick next school year.
She is the sweetest little girl and I’m honored she is my daughter. I thought maybe you could use this on your page for the Art Spotlight section.
The Portrait of my father (Jerry ) and the painting of his former lobster boat “Rosa Lee” were given to my father this past October when he retired after over 50 plus years in the lobster/fishing industry at 72 yrs old.
ART OPENING at GLADSTONE in MANCHESTER on SATURDAY
In Absentia, an exhibit of photographs by Dale Goffigon will be on display at GLADSTONE jewelry and art gallery at 36 ½ Union Street in Manchester from March 9 – June 8.
The images are dreamy architectural portraits of old world elegance. Goffigon’s art is about perception. These are powerful glimpses of light, color, texture, and form, frequently of forgotten spaces. She layers her fascinating travel experiences on her background in textiles and weaving, sharing views that range from decay to opulence All is bound together by the artist’s sensitive ability to frame and capture haunting beauty.
Goffigon’s work has been published in The Redstone Book of the Eye and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens. She studied at Parsons School of Design, the International Center of Photography and the Center for Alternative Photography in New York.
Two different days in two different harbors the resident ducks happily gather to be fed by their favorite human. Thanks to my husband for the photos from Pigeon Cove and Paul Horovitz for the photos from the Annisquam.
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Annisquam Lighthouse Snow Dusting
First Degree/Shoden (Beginning Teaching) – 2 day, 15-hour training.**
Where: Gloucester High School Field House, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester
Good Morning Gloucester 