Jeudi

Another wonderful morning in Paris! We got a late start, being up late last night after our epic day in London. I went to the boulangerie for a café a porte and to the grocer for some supplies. After making my café purchase, I leaned against the building, sipping it, next to a woman eating some yogurt. Yes, a well-dressed, attractive woman eating yogurt on the street. She did it with such grace and poise, too. I love Parisians! We watched them try to sort out the delivery vehicles, cars, motor cycles all clogging the tiny 5 way intersection at our feet. There was urgency but no real swearing and anger. The sun bathed us in light and every where you turned your head, there was Paris. We met a man on the street the other day who lived just a few doors down for 55 years now. The hotel is in a business district so there are few tourists - they have left the area hotels hours ago for the sights. Au revior!

I bought our supplies and on the way back, strolled thru the 2 block long enclosed arcade right next to us with all sorts of shops and booths. The locals shop here, or the folks that work in the area – there are a lot of office workers here. Went back to the hotel and dropped off part one of the purchases. Chatted a length with the guy at the desk and went back onto the street. I was riding my bike and just smiling so hard my face hurt. I could tell I was smiling as people would look at me and smile. People walking, shopping, talking on phones, talking to friends, eating on the sidewalk, standing and munching on a snack. Wow.

I went to get lunch at the small Mediterranean shop next to the grocer. Giros, lamb chops, hamburger, fries with a wonderful spiced mayonnaise, spicy rice. Way too much food and yummy! 9 euros! Nestle Chocolat Noir for me. I just took my time, riding around, enjoying the day and activity! They park their motorcycles on the sidewalk, which sure redefines everything, as you see them drive them up ONTO the sidewalk and park them. Sure makes a bike on the sidewalk insignificant! I love Paris!! Have I said that before? I took some photos of the streets, where there are often more people walking than motorized vehicles!

Got a great shot of a well-dressed woman in a hair salon, eating her baguette. Parisians understand food so well.

We headed off for the Thursday ride at Longchamps in Bois de Bologne. It is daily, really, but we were mimicking our normal life. What do you ride past on your way to your Tuesday or Thursday ride? I rode past the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Trucadaro just to name a few. Oddly, we rode past them on the way back! Did I forget Place de a la Concorde? The Obelisk? The fountains? Riding through Paris is always a wonder and a joy. Overshoot your street? Get turned around? NO problem! There are always a wonder to make you feel better. An Art Deco apartment building. A Frank Lloyd Wright style fieldhouse with very long Roman bricks in a fabulous dark red, stepped on the sides with curved Deco-style railing running up the one story high steps. A massive 70s stadium! Ripe chestnuts on the pavement, crushed from the traffic, their golden orange-leaved parents above lining the boulevard. The boats floating quietly on the Seine. Wow.

Yup, we saw new things today as we overshot our street!

The large groups of riders is quite a sight! Maybe, 120 or more, total. In several groups and several speeds. The 2.2 mile course is completely enclosed and blocked from traffic. You do have to negotiate crossing by the racetrack entry, but they seem to know what is up. Again, amazing. I have seen SO many oblvious people at the local races in the States that to see people quuietly paying attention is very cool. I hooked up with a faster group but soon had to drop off. I was not warmed up and my asthma was a bit bad after the oddly poisonous air in London. I actually had to use a 2nd rescue yesterday. Anyway, the other group was slower and dropped my on the back half – not warmed up. I knew the small downslope was coming, so I tucked in and hammered hard. I could not beliver how much strength I had in my legs!! I rolled up to them and actually past them, having hit 30 mph my myself. I looked at the computer with a bit of disbelief. But soon I was antsy = they just ride one pace, round and around and around. Finally, I could not take it and sprinted off on a faster group as they past us. They finally faded and I jumped for a lone rider just ahead. No one followed. I then jumped hard for another lone rider just ahead again. I continued this, being surprised and very, very happy the strength I had! Very cool. I finished and Ric soon joined me. We had our wonderful ride thru Paris to the hotel.

But dinner first! Darkness had set, so Paris twinkled and glowed all around us. The blanket of darkness was surprisingly comforting. We rolled over to the Pompidou Center area but did not like the commercial, fast food atmosphere. We decided on Clovis Café, right at the entrance of Les Halles! They are gone but the church is still standing, massive and impressive. You really can't go wrong on a choice, where I had a 1664 beer, French, with preserved duck that was so tender, moist and delicate you could not believe it. Even the skin was completely edible! I had read about the preserved duck in my Culinaria France book I read in preparation for this trip. I could not wait to try it and it was wonderful. The pomme de terre frites were lightly seasoned and a perfect companion. Ric wanted to try the French sausage, which there was a whole section on in my book. It came circling a mound of lovely mashed potatoes flavored with French butter, of course. It was wonderful, especially enhanced by the Dijon mustard they brought in a mustard jar, of course. I was very full as the duck was leg and thigh and of course, the wonderful bread. No dessert for me but a nice Bavaria 64 while hanging out. Ric went to Haggen Daz and I rode home along Rue de Rivioli. Had to take pictures of the Metro station light up at night.

Another wonderful day in Paris!

Bonsior!