Thursday, December 25, 2008

Holiday Festivities

View from Pantheon
Latkes for Hanukah
Joyeux Noel!

Christmas Visitors, part I

Braving the crowds at the Christmas market on the Champs Elysées
Moi et ma mere
Christmas market at Saint Sulpice
Beverage of choice: Vin Chaud
Picasso Museum
My mom and sister are visiting for the holidays, so we are in high speed tourist mode. We see approximately three important sites per day, which have included museums, cemeteries, restaurants, important monuments, etc. Lot of pictures. Get ready.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

My two favorite Tongans come to Paris.

Tonga and I.

Avenue de l'Opéra

What Keli's face looks like when you take him to a jazz club jam session

Eating falafel, Parisian style.

I don't even know what to do with this crepe. Wait, yes I do.

Keli and I being blown away by the wind on Pont des Arts

On the coldest night, at a little hole-in-the-wall somewhere in Oberkampf...


Shrine where cutlery is stashed.

Moi et Melissa.

Keli, delighted by the desert choice...

All I know is that it had "big mac" in the name and involved chocolate.

Chicken, tropical salad etc. 
I think it classifies as Brazilian/African/Afgani.

Strolling in Oberkampf
 The Experience.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands.



Someone was kind enough to give me free tickets to this three day annual food event in Paris. There was an overwhelming amount of food products from the different regions of France, which included a million different varieties of olive oil, honey, cheeses, spices, and meat in disturbing shapes. Oh, and did I mention samples? My personal favorites were something that seemed like foie gras but made from apples (is this even possible), and a lime flavored aperitif.
C'est delicieux.

Cirque d'Hiver.






You know what's super cool? The circus. 
Even though we were sitting in the third balcony, I had a serious connection with le tigre blanc. Also, our seats put me at eye level with the trapezists, which, little did I know, meant that I got a full view of their thong baring asses. That's right, it's French style, which means there is an abundance of thongs, erotic dancers, and even a cheesy singer/songwriter performance. They serve champagne at intermission, and have white cats that jump through hoops of fire. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Sainte-Chapelle.



Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th century architectural masterpiece. Built by Louis IX, it is a fabulous example of Gothic architecture (and conveniently located right around the corner from Notre Dame). But it's all about the glass, really. There are hardly any walls, just expanses of the most amazing stained glass windows you'll ever see. Poor Louis built the built to house the Crown of Thorns and other fake relics that he paid more for than even the Chapel cost.