Ladee's Travels

I am really doing things other than eat.  We stopped by the nearby favorite for a light snack. Had red wine, ravioli in a fragrant broth, and topped with cheesecake. All amazing as expected. Encouraged to try these treats at home.  Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard I can't retire.  I'm 82. It's too young...Frank Gehry

Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard I can't retire.  I'm 82. It's too young...Frank Gehry

New for me with the Paris Museum Pass is the requirement to get a free confirmed reservation time. This made the entry quick and easy.  After visiting the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory, plus everything in between, a much needed stop at Angelina was next.  Angelina Chocolat Chaud (Real hot chocolate) plus eggs Benedict.  Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard I can't retire.  I'm 82. It's too young...Frank Gehry

Simple and simply fresh.  Baguette and butter.  Orange Pear Peach In season figs.  Just what was neededs Below for figs, peach and butter. Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard

After encountering all of the steps in the Metro on the way to the train station, I didn't want to return the same way as I was already exhausted from the Giverny walking.  I decided to take the bus although I was not real experienced with the public transportation in Paris...but how different could it be?  After some research in the train station, we found out that Bus 29 would take us directly from the train station to our neighborhood, and was a much more scenic route.  A shop owner told us where to go to find the buses and once we spotted the BUS sign, we followed the arrows to the outside area. There were a gazillion buses, going in all direction.  We looked at the wall map showing the bus stops, found stop 29 but couldn't find the bus. Kim found it on the other side of the building, what a traveler she is! She didn't panic and looked around to figure it out.   (I had asked a tall dark and handsome security guy and he helped too.) The bus was direct from Ga...

After the garden visit we stopped at a local Bistro for a late lunch.  There were many Normandy selections and I opted for the quiche, enjoyed the scenery, and then returned to the bus for the four mile ride back to Vernon and the train station.  The decision again was to stand in line or buy from the automated machine.  Of course, we chose the machine! We were experts now.  A few quick decisions and we were on our way, tickets in hand.  I've included some memories of train travel and the look when pulling in to a large station (Gare Saint-Lazare).

More photos coming...

This trip started at the local Metro station 1/2 block from the apartment.  The Rambuteau station is all steps.  Steps up.  Steps down.  What a pain!! We had our Metro tickets and slid them in the stand and took them we as they popped out of the top.  We took line 11 towards Marie des Lilas and disembarked at the next stop Arts et Métiers to connect on 14 Saint Lazare.  The Arts et Métiers station was packed and there were guards to make sure that just enough people got on board and the rest had to wait for the next train.  Crazy.  We made our way up and down stairs to find 14.  The car was packed also and we couldn't sit together. Disembarkation was hectic because Saint Lazare is adjacent to the Gare Saint-Lazare station.  We didn't need our tickets to get out of the station. This is always important to remember because sometimes you need them and sometimes you don't. I knew from research that we just needed to get to street lev...

This was a visit to the birth place of French Onion Soup. Eating it is a must do for me and inspires me to perfect my own version.  Shout out to the warmth and kindness of the French: a staff person brought me a chair so that I could sit while waiting. No reservations, I know better!! The meal started with cassis and a pork spread on bread. I will think of the word later. Then the French Onion Soup and a Cobb Salad. Cute little sugar meringue pigs decorated the delivery of the bill - l'addition.   Soon the table area filled up. A man and woman from Hong Kong sat at the next table and we had a conversation about what is happening and the concept of "One China".  I found it inspiring to have this type of discussion between citizens while the leaders of the countries are making big decisions. 

Adorable little place in a great location. Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard

One of my favorite churches. There is a free half hour concert on their fabulous pipe organ on Sunday night from 5:30-6:00. Arrived right as it started and barely found a place to sit!! They must be advertising because it wasn't as full the first time I saw this.  Stayed for the full evening mass. Beautiful. I did get a "pas pas Madam" when I took a photo of the priests walking as well as an eye roll from one of the younger ones. An eye roll!!!  Ok, so no photos during the ceremony. We stayed for the actual Mass. The music was beautiful and the voices filled the space.  I was astonished when the collection plate was passed and there was a regular money one and a digital one! Very high tech. Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica....

My go to tea stop. I met Kaleigh several years ago and fell in love with her teas and her expertise. Amazing. The recommendations were a white bud Puerh and the Oolong from Vietnam. Both were amazing. The Puerh paired with a lavender blueberry slice was perfect.  If you are new to my postings, expect pricing at the end of a post (if I remember to take a photo). I am often asked about the price of things and honestly, I never remember. I buy what I want and enjoy the journey.  Ladee Travel info and photographs:  ladeetravels.blogspot.co m   "Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport." Fun stuff here:  http://www.vivyxprinting.com/pros/ladeetravels http://fineartamerica.com/artists/ladee+rickard I can't retire.  I'm 82. It's too young...Frank Gehry

I was surprised at the number of buses that were lined up, ready to take people back to hotels, ships, homes outside of Paris.  The restaurants were full, streets were lined with cars and motor bikes.  We walked north on Rue de Renard and turned left on Rue du Cloitre Saint Merri to see the Stravinsky Fountain at night.  It was running...so nothing much to see.  But we did see a light inside of Eglise Saint Merri as if a night light show was shown.  I think that the Pompidou Museum was free because the line wrapped around the building.  It was crowded so we enjoyed looking at all of the activity and then turned right on Rue Rambateau and went home for the night and the end of Day 1.  Stravinsky Fountain with Eglise Saint Merri in the background, lights included.