Three Things I loved about Paris

Paris, FRANCE. Not Idaho or Texas or one of those other poser Parees. When we do a girls' trip, we do it RIGHT. Airline connections and a love of French garden literature helps.

Sitting down for some hot cocoa

1. Everywhere you turn is picturesque. Seriously. Art in the parks. A cathedral every few blocks. The whole city kind of feels like it's glowing white (is it granite??). Americans like walking around Paris because it feels like you're walking in a historic postcard. This city is just as beautiful as everyone thinks it is.

The original Bon Marche!

Not even a site listed as worth seeing. Just on the way...

Famous art in the city park. No biggie

Peek-a-boo. This is a real photo. I'm not kidding.

I'm in a postcard!

2. Quick snacks. The real fast food. I've often lamented that the only way to eat in America is a packed lunch, a sit-down restaurant, or crap food on the go. I'm on the go a lot (or I'm too in a hurry to spend time just eating food and not doing something else at the same time. I'm trying to learn from France on that one [and most places in the world], but it's a hard habit to break when my options are so awful), and I don't usually think far enough ahead to pack a lunch (and Porter always eats my leftovers!)(but he makes up for it by cooking for me all the time)(I might starve without him). Wouldn't it be nice if there was a nice crepe shop for when you're not starving, but a granola bar just won't do? Or pre-made baguette shop (Subway is not fast, I'm telling you). Or falafel stand. Or all of these everywhere, between the cafes where everyone seems to find hours to breakfast lunch and dinner. Who needs to sit when you can eat on the go?

A freaking baked potato vendor. Seriously!

I'm a Perrier wino

3. Bike lanes! Who'd have ever thought I'd count anything cycling among my favorite things in a historic city? We did a lot of bike rentals to get around - you pay a few bucks for access for the day, then its free for the first 30 minutes. The whole system is pretty amazing; a huge feat of logistics. But what I was most excited about is that I didn't fear for my life while riding the bikes. People saw me. Vehicles saw me (even busses!). The bike lanes were (mostly) well-marked. No neon necessary. It wasn't the ride for your life of even Seattle-level urban cycling.

Alas, no cycling photos. But I've got more to say about Paris, three things later.