Catching Up 3: Thanksgiving Trip
I left for my 4-day Paris Thanksgiving trip on Tuesday, 22nd November and returned on Friday the 25th. I had a great crew for this one and we had some fun plans. Unfortunately neither Una nor Nancy joined us on the trip so it was just me and my pals on the crew. Paris was really cold and yet perfectly sunny for most of our layover.
On Wednesday Kim and I took our afternoon nap and then headed over to our champagne place (the 2-for-1 happy hour deal). Unfortunately the antics of a certain crewmember that tagged along with us the week before made it very uncomfortable for us to be there--so we won't be back again. We had our two coupes de champagne and then left. Lesson: never take someone you don't know to a place you like on a layover. Had a satisfying and inexpensive Morroccan dinner at the wee place by the Beaugrenelle then came back to my room where we played cards and drank wine until late.
Was wide awake at 9 am and ready to call Kim, but wanted to let her sleep awhile longer. Mika was also awake and called me. We agreed to wake the others and meet for lunch at 11 am--or at least head out to look for lunch then. Only Kim and Everett (aka Passion Flower) joined us--Oscar wanted to go for a run instead. We were going to the Musee du Vin but decided on a great little bistro closer by that I knew, Au Comptoir du 7ieme. There, I had a delicious confit de canard for my Thanksgiving lunch. We all exchanged stories about how our families celebrate (or don't celebrate) Thanksgiving. Passion Flower's family celebrations sounded like the best, Hawaiian style.
Kim and I headed off to the rue de Passy for some Christmas shopping; Mika and Ev opted for Zara on the rue de Commerce instead. An Algerian selling Eiffel towers by the Eiffel Tower propositioned me along the way. Hmmm .... not sure if that was a compliment or not. We began our shopping spree at Franck & Fils where we did more looking than anything. We got stuck half way between two floors in a glass elevator and then I dropped a 50 euro mirrored picture frame on the way out. Not such a successful start.
A few hours and many shopping bags later, we were pooped and hailed a cab back to the hotel. I had bought some champagne for the pre-dinner drinks for everyone but we were running so late that there was no time to drink it. A quick clean-up, a change and a rushed powdering of the nose and we were in the lobby again. Our reservation was for 6 at Dans le Noir?. (Yes, the name of the restaurant includes a question mark). This has to have been one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. Myself, Kim, Passion Flower, Rome Odom, Oscar and Mika were who went. We started out in their bar having a much-needed cocktail to calm our nerves. Mine was an interesting Cosmo Violette; Kim's was a Mojito au Jasmin. A few minutes later we were led to our table.....
Kim led the way behind the waiter (the lovely Toni) who, like all the waiters there, was blind. The dining room was literally pitch black. I am not kidding--there was no difference with the eyes open or closed. It was rather freaky at first but such an experience in all. We sat at a round table in the order that I listed above, so I was between Mika and Kim.
On Wednesday Kim and I took our afternoon nap and then headed over to our champagne place (the 2-for-1 happy hour deal). Unfortunately the antics of a certain crewmember that tagged along with us the week before made it very uncomfortable for us to be there--so we won't be back again. We had our two coupes de champagne and then left. Lesson: never take someone you don't know to a place you like on a layover. Had a satisfying and inexpensive Morroccan dinner at the wee place by the Beaugrenelle then came back to my room where we played cards and drank wine until late.
Was wide awake at 9 am and ready to call Kim, but wanted to let her sleep awhile longer. Mika was also awake and called me. We agreed to wake the others and meet for lunch at 11 am--or at least head out to look for lunch then. Only Kim and Everett (aka Passion Flower) joined us--Oscar wanted to go for a run instead. We were going to the Musee du Vin but decided on a great little bistro closer by that I knew, Au Comptoir du 7ieme. There, I had a delicious confit de canard for my Thanksgiving lunch. We all exchanged stories about how our families celebrate (or don't celebrate) Thanksgiving. Passion Flower's family celebrations sounded like the best, Hawaiian style.
Kim and I headed off to the rue de Passy for some Christmas shopping; Mika and Ev opted for Zara on the rue de Commerce instead. An Algerian selling Eiffel towers by the Eiffel Tower propositioned me along the way. Hmmm .... not sure if that was a compliment or not. We began our shopping spree at Franck & Fils where we did more looking than anything. We got stuck half way between two floors in a glass elevator and then I dropped a 50 euro mirrored picture frame on the way out. Not such a successful start.
A few hours and many shopping bags later, we were pooped and hailed a cab back to the hotel. I had bought some champagne for the pre-dinner drinks for everyone but we were running so late that there was no time to drink it. A quick clean-up, a change and a rushed powdering of the nose and we were in the lobby again. Our reservation was for 6 at Dans le Noir?. (Yes, the name of the restaurant includes a question mark). This has to have been one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. Myself, Kim, Passion Flower, Rome Odom, Oscar and Mika were who went. We started out in their bar having a much-needed cocktail to calm our nerves. Mine was an interesting Cosmo Violette; Kim's was a Mojito au Jasmin. A few minutes later we were led to our table.....
Kim led the way behind the waiter (the lovely Toni) who, like all the waiters there, was blind. The dining room was literally pitch black. I am not kidding--there was no difference with the eyes open or closed. It was rather freaky at first but such an experience in all. We sat at a round table in the order that I listed above, so I was between Mika and Kim.
posted by Debs at 5:54 PM
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