No matter how many times you have been to Paris there is always something to do. If you have never been before the must-do list includes; Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, The Opera, Bateaux Mouches, L’Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and St Michel. After you have hit the must do list there are endless museums, galleries, great shopping and fantastic neighbourhoods to explore.
Nutmeg’s favourites include:
Nutmeg and Ginger are staying in the Novatel in Paris, needless to say it is not the Four Seasons nor the Ritz. What is interesting is the coffee service, or lack thereof at breakfast. The hotel serves a breakfast buffet and in an attempt to cater to international tastes, serve everything from croissants and baguette to powdered scrambled eggs. Generally speaking they do a decent job (stay away from the eggs). The two “coffee” waiters for a room of 60+ have the following task; to serve coffee. Nutmeg is amazed how these guys (she has tested her theory on both of them) have the classic Paris waiter attitude often found in street side bistros…. just because you are seated in my restaurant in my section and look like you might want a coffee does not mean you deserve one. When you finally do get a coffee you are so darn thankful you drink it.
Out on the streets of Paris it is good to know the following (because you can be sure your waiter will not help out):
Nutmeg and Ginger are in Paris for Gingers’ school trip. The great thing about Paris in February is the hordes of summer tourists are absent. This does not mean there are no crowds but rather that the crowds are made up of more locals, French tourists and Asian school trips. The weather is pleasant at about 5 degrees Celsius, however, it is not spring so requires a good heavy jacket, hat and gloves. There is no snow on the ground so the ladies are all strutting their boots. Nutmeg, as some might agree has a boot fetish so this is a bit like being in a candy store. The boots cover all styles although there is a higher percentage of the black flat sole, zippered, laced or both. Nutmeg packed light so must be content with the one pair she did bring along.
Nutmeg is off to join Ginger on a school trip. She really hopes that a school trip in your mid-40’s looks a lot different then it might of in high school. Anyway, watch for updates from the coffee and chocolate capitals: Paris, Vienna and Brussels.
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