Bonjour

Greetings from Paris, where the keyboqrds qre funny, the food is great at the weather has been pretty good.

The Eurostar was amazingly quick! And we were entertained by the little kid sitting in front of us who we named French Doug because we imagine he was exactly how my dad was when he was young...didn't sit still the entire time. Funniest moment was when he got a new Transformer like toy and was flying it around the train saying stuff in French other than his quick break into English, singing "I believe I Can Fly."

We ran along the Seine this morning to the Eiffel Tower and then it was off to lunch at a cafe in Saint Germain and a walk up the Champs Elysee.

We ended the day with a walk through Notre Dame and and afternoon dessert at an outside cafe on the island that adjoins Notre Dame (name escapes me at the moment) (Katie, pretending to look French)

Looking forward to tomorrow I am surviving with lots of mercis and bonjours, Katie is trying to learn how to say, "I speak not a single word of French"

Dispatch #5: great weekend

Katie finally arrived and we've wasted no time taking in lots of sights. Here are some pictures. More details when we get to a computer we aren't paying for by the minute. Off to Paris in a couple hours. Ta, ET and KT

houses near Portabello Road market, our first stop on Saturday morning after a run through St. James and Hyde Parks


Look who we ran into at the market!

See we made it:-)



As sunset approached, we decided we needed a little snack. Imagine our excitement when we came around the corner and found this ice cream truck...and imagine our disappointment when the truck pulled away 15 seconds after this photo was taken! Seriously!

Spittalfields Market. Katie got a purse, I bought a jacket and we enjoyed a lunch of pide and what we think was raw food salad...sounds gross but was actually quite good.

Took a day trip to Cambridge. We were amazed at how many colleges there were as well as how many modern and posh stores there are. Here's Trinity College.


A ride on the Eye.

Dispatch #3: random stuff

I've been struck by 3 things on this trip.

1. London at 8am in the morning is chock full of bikers, security and maintance staff wearing neon yellow clothing of one sort or another. I think it must be the unofficial national color. Brits tell me this is because you are required by law to wear reflective clothing when riding around dusk and dawn. This picture isn't the best example but you can see what I mean. Trafalgar Square is spinning in yellow!

2. Experienced a lot more vaguely anti-US comments this time than on any other recent trip to Europe. Lots of positive B.O. comments too but I have just been surprised that B.O.'s election hasn't stopped the ribbing.

3. Seems that Londoners like to kiss on the escalators in the Underground. Every time I'm riding the escalator you can spot at least 2 couples.

Another Big Ben picture, just because it's cool:-)



CAN'T WAIT for Katie to arrive tonight. Sure she'll be exhausted...but perhaps not too tired for a pint?... ;-)

Dispatch #: Crisps

Let's keep this posting simple: crisps. Potato chips for all you Yanks;-D

Simply put, I love them over here.

Flavors tried so far:
Prawn cocktail
Roasted Chicken
Thai Sweet Chili
Chocolate Chili
Onion Bhaji

Don't worry, I haven't eatten a bag of each, just sampling...well except for the prawn cocktail because that's my favorite.

Walkers Crisp company is even having a crisp contest at the moment. Check out the other flavors...Cajun Squirrel...OMG.

Dispatch #1: A Ride on Dolly and From Jubilee to Millenium

Arrived safely on a plane named Dolly and had the best kind of row-mate for the overnight flight...a non-existant one.

After a quick lunch, I went for a jog across the Jubilee Bridge, along South Bank, across the Millenium Bridge and back along the Victoria embankment. While packed with Sunday afternoon strollers, it was a great route filled with street performers and London sights. I reminded myself a little of Bridget Jones as I jogged across the bridges...but with fewer bad habits.

A much needed shower and nap later, I was back out in search of a great Indian place for dinner. Anyone have a suggestion? I was one for two on my last trip. Sunday night I found Rasa in Fitzrovia. It wasn't quite what I was looking for but the black-eye peas and tomatoes in cocounut sauce with lime leaves was delic.

Down to business today and tomorrow...and to find a cheddar and spicy pickle sandwich:-D

p.s. picture is of the London Eye, Big Ben and Parliament. Not the view from my hotel window, but from the bridge right next to the hotel...not bad.

Got to keep on moving

It's been a whirlwind since I last posted-- from the Culinary Institute of America to the floor of the NYSE the week has been busy! And now, it's off to Europe for 2 weeks. Stay tuned...

Birthday Boys

(not New York adventures but I couldn't resist)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE DAVE AND new baby Quinn!!!

The family has officially grown to 17, what a blessed day!

Congrats Steph and Don!!

Urban Snow Angel #2

The snow sparkled tonight like the fairy dust that lightly covered the gingerbread houses that Santa's elves would leave when I was little.

Although the storm was another bust in terms of accumulation, it was still quite beautiful and put a smile on my face.

I strolled up and down the Promenade and couldn't resist making some more urban snow angels.

Now that's some good motivation

As I mentioned last weekend, the plan for yesterday was to run to Donut Pub at 14th and 7th in Manhattan. I made it!! Don't think I've ever had such a wonderful raised glazed and cup of hot tea (likely both because Donut Pub rocks and because I was hungry and freezing cold.)

It's the kind of place where you expect a police officer to visit for a cup of joe (in fact I have seen NY's Finest in there before.) You sense that one of the waitresses has been there forever...quite a New Yorker but genuinely nice.

Here was my route (map courtsey of Captain Carnivore who also dutifully met me in the city and drove me home:-))