Left Bank Bonanza

Michel's and my ending our first Paris evening with a second stiff late-night caipirinha predicated a Saturday morning lie-in (British for "sleeping in"), also known as a mild hangover. Once motivated and clean, the group sallied forth across the 3rd arrondisement on a mildly cool but sunny day--unable to resist a neighborhood boulangerie stop for an absolutely stunning croissant--for a lovely outdoor café brunch. Not surprisingly, a Vélib station sat across the street, and after paying the check but before even wiping off our cappuccino moustaches we continued the previous night's city-cycling mayhem.

We cycled again into the 4th arr. past Notre Dame [links have landmark pics] and over the Seine, eventually discovering an on-and-off-again cobblestone path allowing a riverside ride; we abandoned the tour only after the bumpy terrain had incessantly jarred our teeth, hands and other seated body parts to an uncomfortably tingling numbness. We climbed the neighborhood hills of St.Germain (5th arr.) for a recovery binge at Michel & Celeste's favorite crepe vendor; the Nutella and banana crepes satisfied the day's requirements for both food groups, i.e., chocolate and fruit.

We remounted the bikes for a visit to the Latin Quarter and Pantheon before finally re-racking them (our extended bicycle usage cost an outrageous €3 apiece!) in the 6th arr. We sauntered through the inviting Jardin du Luxembourg, the greenery somewhat sparse pre-spring but charming nonetheless, and stopped for a much needed coffee break. Instantly weary of two-legged travel, we resettled for the two-wheeled variety, cruising into the 7th arr. past some old 17th century war hospital (Les Invalides), 18th century military school (École Militaire) and onto a wide dirt path in the Parc du Champs de Mars to gawk at some metal tower resembling a big antenna. Steph and I usually hang out more on the "Right Bank" (north of the Seine), but we certainly enjoyed our Left Bank (south side) tour. We briefly contemplated the long bike ride home until a cloud obscured the day's sun, the temperature dipped and we racked the bikes as quickly as possible at the nearest Métro stop.

After a much deserved nap, we hit a good local Italian restaurant for dinner (yes, Italian food is prepared in France) and--after much discussion of potentially going "clubbing"--instead fulfilled our dance fix at the local Bohemian seaside themed bar accompanied by additional caipirinhas and Mexican beer amidst a jovial cosmopolitan crowd. Here's a new blog feature...video!



Sunday morning, after bidding Michel & Celeste a wistful farewell, good journey back to California and thanks for the fun in Paris and Zürich, Steph and I rendezvous'ed for petit déjeuner (breakfast) with another friend in Paris, actually Steph's college roommate living in Essen, Germany (whom we've already met in Heidelburg and Zürich), but staying in Paris for the week with U.S. friends. During this rendezvous together we discussed plans for the following weekend's rendezvous...in Rome, of course, where she and her husband (M&M) have rented a villa. It's tough work, all this international travel, I'm sure hearts are bleeding...

Pics from Paris: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=2hd8fyj.1pnsqhhb&x=0&y=akkti5