Paris..for all size pocketbooks
April 2nd 2007 23:00
PARIS....
Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, this city above all epitomised romance, excitement, and style. When I finally arrived for the first time it was as if I stepped into every postcard and movie scene.. In a strange way I almost hoped to find something else..but there it was, each famous landmark, the impressive boulevards, even the exasperating winding lanes that led onto more -until you were finally lost!
The Paris I enjoy the most is on in which you don't have to spend up, yet enjoy twice as much as 'living in style'. I remember on many occasions flying, or 'ferrying' or 'hovercrafting' to France and making my way around by metro or bus to, and then around Paris.
You are certainly spoilt for choice in accomodation, little family run pensions tucked into a myriad of side streets, usually a few floors up and probably overlooking the traffic. I like to go out early in the morning to buy a crusty baguet, or some pastries and sit in or outside of a coffee house to drink my huge mug of steaming hot and strong coffee or chocolate. On my lazy days, I go down to the breakfast room to join other guests in a simple repast. Then it is off on my daily walks to explore the streets (or town when I go to the countryside).
I am a glutton for punishment for little fairs...why? because I love tasting the delicious home made products so often showcased at these (sometimes regular) events. Point me to the nearest cheese stalls and I am in heaven. Nothing beats a tasting of the tart, sour and tasty rounds (or squares or rectangeles) of chevre. I LOVE CHEVRE or goat cheese. There are so many kinds from the small creamy white spheres, to the charcoal covered harder variety, to the marinated balls in olive oil and herbs, to the larger camembert-type wheels...you have got me! My other favourite is boudin or blood sausage...whether it is the delicate white or dark variety...they are both worth trying. Best of all, you find so many flavours wherever you travel, and amongst different shops. How about a couple of boudin grilled till crisp outside, topped with a poached egg and shaved goat cheese and seved with a hot mug of your favourite coffee in the alice-in-wonderland sized cup- of course you have to include half of a freshly baked baguette to tear away at!
I love to try out different charcuteries, tasting various morsals of smoked and seasoned
meat and poultry, and buying containers of assorted marinated salads and seafood, purchasing a few bottles of local wine and visiting the bakery for a little dessert- all to picnic with.
There are so many bar/restaurants to eat at. Rather than consult the menu, I am one of those people glued up to the window pane looking at what the diners are having. That way there are no surpriises.
I have to admit to an abnormal love of moules or mussels...forget the large variety of also good oysters..but it is the tiny (french/belgiian style) mussels that excite me.
Poached gently in white wine,. a little onion and butter- and that's all you need besides the obligatory baugette to mop of the moluscs juices.
I always track down the best place to have Pot eu Feu...beef boiled and simmered in assorted root vegetables and its own jjuices for hours...served as two separate courses- the delectable soup to start, then the meat with vegetables...simple yet scrumptious!
Paris is a wonderful place for collectors to track down old art prints and books..wherever you walk you will come upon a vendor with a stall selling an assortment of collectables.
Of course you cannot visit Paris without going to its many famous clothing factory outlets...need I go on?
Well I am running out of time again...but please 'tune in' again so I can share my traveller
experiences with you.
Au revoir! till next time.
Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, this city above all epitomised romance, excitement, and style. When I finally arrived for the first time it was as if I stepped into every postcard and movie scene.. In a strange way I almost hoped to find something else..but there it was, each famous landmark, the impressive boulevards, even the exasperating winding lanes that led onto more -until you were finally lost!
The Paris I enjoy the most is on in which you don't have to spend up, yet enjoy twice as much as 'living in style'. I remember on many occasions flying, or 'ferrying' or 'hovercrafting' to France and making my way around by metro or bus to, and then around Paris.
You are certainly spoilt for choice in accomodation, little family run pensions tucked into a myriad of side streets, usually a few floors up and probably overlooking the traffic. I like to go out early in the morning to buy a crusty baguet, or some pastries and sit in or outside of a coffee house to drink my huge mug of steaming hot and strong coffee or chocolate. On my lazy days, I go down to the breakfast room to join other guests in a simple repast. Then it is off on my daily walks to explore the streets (or town when I go to the countryside).
I am a glutton for punishment for little fairs...why? because I love tasting the delicious home made products so often showcased at these (sometimes regular) events. Point me to the nearest cheese stalls and I am in heaven. Nothing beats a tasting of the tart, sour and tasty rounds (or squares or rectangeles) of chevre. I LOVE CHEVRE or goat cheese. There are so many kinds from the small creamy white spheres, to the charcoal covered harder variety, to the marinated balls in olive oil and herbs, to the larger camembert-type wheels...you have got me! My other favourite is boudin or blood sausage...whether it is the delicate white or dark variety...they are both worth trying. Best of all, you find so many flavours wherever you travel, and amongst different shops. How about a couple of boudin grilled till crisp outside, topped with a poached egg and shaved goat cheese and seved with a hot mug of your favourite coffee in the alice-in-wonderland sized cup- of course you have to include half of a freshly baked baguette to tear away at!
I love to try out different charcuteries, tasting various morsals of smoked and seasoned
meat and poultry, and buying containers of assorted marinated salads and seafood, purchasing a few bottles of local wine and visiting the bakery for a little dessert- all to picnic with.
There are so many bar/restaurants to eat at. Rather than consult the menu, I am one of those people glued up to the window pane looking at what the diners are having. That way there are no surpriises.
I have to admit to an abnormal love of moules or mussels...forget the large variety of also good oysters..but it is the tiny (french/belgiian style) mussels that excite me.
Poached gently in white wine,. a little onion and butter- and that's all you need besides the obligatory baugette to mop of the moluscs juices.
I always track down the best place to have Pot eu Feu...beef boiled and simmered in assorted root vegetables and its own jjuices for hours...served as two separate courses- the delectable soup to start, then the meat with vegetables...simple yet scrumptious!
Paris is a wonderful place for collectors to track down old art prints and books..wherever you walk you will come upon a vendor with a stall selling an assortment of collectables.
Of course you cannot visit Paris without going to its many famous clothing factory outlets...need I go on?
Well I am running out of time again...but please 'tune in' again so I can share my traveller
experiences with you.
Au revoir! till next time.
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