Last night, I tasted the ice cream that my cooking classmate had told me about - framboise a la rose - and it was wonderful - it really did taste like a rose. My ice cream addiction is in full flight.
This morning, I discovered that I had been the victim of a crime ..... some ___________ stole my bicycle seat! The fellow at the bicycle shop has assured me that it could not be taken off - and when I went to see him with this problem it appears that he neglected to add that this was so unless the thief had an allen key!!! Anyway, I am back in the saddle, so to speak, after having paid to replace the seat - with hopefully a more secure locking system than before.
So, today was another day for exploring the city - it was hot and sunny today - I think a high of 29C.
It is called the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and is located in the northeast - and hilly - sector of the city. It is a former quarry and now is a great green space with lakes, waterfalls, footbridges and a Roman temple. A lovely morning spent reading by the lake - with Canada geese near so it felt just like home!!
Off then to the Opera House - which Alan and I had visited some years ago - but I think we just had a peek inside. I did the self guided tour and wow, is this building something else - Eyewitness Travel Guides are correct when they say that sometimes this building is compared to a giant wedding cake. Apparently, there is a lake beneath the building.
After the Opera House, it was time for lunch. This time, I took the recommendation of my friend, Kelly and went to the Cafe de la Paix, a grand looking cafe fitting to be next to the opera since it was designed by the same guy!
Also on my list for today was a visit to La Madeleine, which is something new for me.
This was built by Napoleon in the style of a Greco-Roman temple and was originally meant to be dedicated to military glory. Anyway, it is now a church dedicated to, you guessed it, Mary Magdalene.
Last stop, Place Vendome which is a lovely square just to the north of the ritzy shopping areas on rue Rivoli and rue Saint-Honore near the Tuileries gardens further along the right bank. Napoleon has a statue in this square - this guy is everywhere in this city!!
It was a brutal commute home after Place Vendome. No matter how I plan it, I always seem to need to go in the opposite direction of all these one way streets. Rue Saint-Honore was wall to wall traffic - I suspect from people and goods being delivered for Paris Fashion week, which is starting around this time. Lots of fashion shows in town - but impossible to get tickets unless you know someone or unless you are in the fashion industry. I will just have to pick up some fashion tips from the numerous tall and skinny women who seem to everywhere now. Only unfortunate thing - it seems like most of them smoke (like a lot of other people in this city) - which is too bad since beauty is already fleeting - assuming that they survive the lung cancer to see the results!!
