Marci and Steve Go Back to Europe

An Abbey with a View Although not on our agenda for Paris, we could not ignore everyone who implored us to see Mont St. Michel.  So out went a day trip to Fountainblue and in went a trip to Normandy's unique island Abbey. If you are not familiar with this architectural wonder, years ago, make that ten centuries ago, there was an Abbey built at the very top of a rock island, off the Normandy coast. At the time the only way to get to the island was to boat there, or walk across at low tide and wait until the next low tide to return to the Mainland. The quicksand was perilous but worth the crossing and the pilgrims came in droves. The tides are reminiscent of the Bay of Fundy where the water can change 50' from low to high, or at least it used to.   (Above is professional photo - I couldn't get a helicopter on short notice...Steve) Then they built the causeway, then the tourists came, then the souvenir shops opened, then the causeway stopped the water and built up the silt and...

July 4 on the Champs Elyssee Fireworks will have to wait another ten days for Bastille day, nothing special about July 4th in Paris.  We had managed to snag a reservation for dinner at Le Baratin up in the 20th arrondissement, just a bit above Belleville.  I had cut out two articles about this little hole in the wall place run by an Argentinian chef and her grumpy Martin Scorcese look alike husband but had not bothered to call for a table. Then by chance, a foodie waiter at the Chapeau Melon wine bar where we had stopped for a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie a few days ago,  added this to his list of recommendations for us. They squeezed us in with  a 7:30  table, too early for most Parisians but early enough to turn the table again  at 9:30 .  A half hour to metro there, a half hour to dress, a half hour to pick up some wine and snacks and a  half hour to get home from wherever we were during the day, minus the time we got up, plus coffe...

Here we go on round two of America's favorite game.... Guess What This Is! First responder with correct answer will receive a Paris Fashion accessory. REMINDER: You can NOT just hit REPLY on this blog! You can post your answer below for all to see, or write me on my e- mail:  sjs123sjs@gmail.com Thanks for playing! Here's the clue - And for those fans of FOOD PORN - here's yesterdays lunch:

BLOGGER ALERT-For those of you loyal readers who subscribe to our blog by email, you cannot write us by replying to your daily blog email. It is a Donotreply address. We miss all of our friends and family and we are missing your emails too! We would love you to write so either go to marciandsteve.blogspot.com to post a comment on the blog for all to see or better yet just write us at our email addresses, the old fashioned way. Now onto today's blog entry. Paris Trends - or, 'What to blog when yesterday was filled only with a bit of shopping, Le Corbusier and a good movie'. Let's start with this caveat. I am not an expert on France or Paris or the French or Parisians. I am not even the best observer of my surroundings. But as of today, I have spent a solid month in France and so, at least among my friends and readers, I am guessing I have the most time spent in France in one visit. I also have no doubt I win in the category of most metro rides in one visit, going through...

Georges Hobeika I could see every bead. I  could see every seam. I could see every piece of netting. I could see every hair on every eyebrow. I could see that no one wears underwear. That is how close we were. And it was all MAGNIFIQUE! Haute couture in Paris, it doesn't get much more chichi. Standing in line while waiting to get into the show with our standing room tickets, getting seats and then voila getting moved to the front row. Eyeing the crowd of press and designer wannabes and gawkers. The lights go down and then the lights go up and the show begins. The models are the tallest and thinnest there are, staunchly walking the runway, pale makeup and perfectly middle parted hair pulled into a knotted bun with just the exact amount of muss (ala Laurent Phillipon). One amazing dress or coat or gown after the other. Starting with deep roses, moving through peaches, pinks and yellows and ending, of course, with the bride in white.  The lines were stunning, The beadwork unique ...