For Those Without Facebook Access ...

In this world so filled with technology, it's hard to imagine that some folks aren't on Facebook, but yes it's true not everyone is there. So for those folks who have tried to view the posts I did on FB, here's a repeat.

From Saturday, 20 October 2012

There's nothing like finding a brief respite in Paris when it's been raining all day long.  The skies have been cloudy and grey today, but after braving the crowd of rue Cler and rue du Bac, I wandered over to my favorite place in Paris for a spot of lunch and some peace: the garden of the Musee' Rodin, not far from the apartment I'm staying in this trip.

Musee' Rodin Gardens

Even in the rain - the gardens are beautiful, and to sit in the cafe, enjoy some warm fresh made soup and salad and gaze across the gardens - to me it is heaven on earth. Once I've done this - Paris at last begins to feel like home to me.

Strolling through the gardens after a pleasant meal and taking time to think like Le Penseur (The Thinker) and view some of Rodin's most exquisite sculptures that dot the garden - there's just nothing else like it. The next time you are in Paris - for just one Euro, you can enjoy this amazing escape from the hustle-bustle that is often Paris!

Walking down
rue St. Dominique, 7e

From Facebook, 20 October 2012

Here's the view down my street as I walk toward the apartment from the Musee' Rodin - you can see what a grey and rainy day it is - but La Tour Eiffel is managing just fine!  Me, too!

Saved By My Own Ambivalence

Sometimes, we are saved by our own ambivalence!  There is so much to do and see and eating is often one of the things I struggle with here. Sometimes, I just want to eat on the street, sometimes in a restaurant, and sometimes I need an old friend, like the cafe at the Musee' Rodin on Friday. As well, being solo in a city that screams duo/couple/deux at every cafe along the way makes me pretty ambivalent about restaurant selections, and sometimes, I can wander aimlessly trying to decide, which I had been doing this Sunday for about an hour.

As I strolled through Le Marais, I knew better than to eat at any of the places that surround the Place des Vosges.  Most of them serve pretty ordinary food at prices that are simply not worth it.  I've given them my share of francs, and now Euros, over the years and was determined not to succumb, even though my stomach was rumbling pretty loudly after my trek from the Islands.

Norm

My feet were screaming so I paused briefly to rest in the beautiful Place des Vosges and began to think about in which direction I should head to get some decent food. I remembered that Chez Janou, a wonderful little cafe/bistro that my friend and colleague, Norm Rubenstein had introduced me to when our paths crossed in Paris a few trips ago, was nearby.

For the life of me, I couldn't remember exactly where, nor could I remember the street. Pulling out my handy map of Paris, I began to skim the streets of Le Marais hoping that the name would jump out at me. Voila - the rue de Roger Verlomme - just down the street and around the corner from the Place des Vosges.  Off I went in the hopes that a raucous Saturday night did not mean it would be closed on Sunday, as many restaurants and shops are in Paris.

I turned onto the Rue des Tournelles heading toward the restaurant and hoping to see a chalkboard outside as I came out of the curve that blocked my view. Hurrah!  A chalkboard and people - Chez Janou was open!  Another old friend was there, and I was indeed, saved by my own ambivalence!

Now Chez Janou serves hearty Provencale fare and I was thrilled to find myself once again charmed by this lively cafe. The bartender and waiters played with me unlike many restaurants in Paris that often ignore you if you're a solo diner.

The food was excellent - a beautiful tender lamb shank accompanied by a red/green pepper/potato/cabbage mixture rolled in a cabbage leaf and grilled. I always eat lamb with mint jam or something sweet but moutarde (mustard) was what I was offered and so I tried it - of course, it was perfect!

While enjoying a chocolate tart with raspberries for dessert, the bartender treated me (shhh- don't tell!) to two small shots of ice cold Amande (almond) liquor made in Provence - he seemed determined that I have some fun! And fun it was!  Nothing ambivalent about Chez Janou, and I left feeling happy, satisfied and thrilled that Paris, once again, surprised me!