And We're Back

Les Deux Magots Cafe

Hey fellow readers....and we're back. Yes, along with us, our blog has had a bit of a vacation itself, but it's time to start chapter 2 of Hoop Dreams  with year 2 abroad (uh, yeah, I think we totally slacked on trying to even think of a new title after all this time. any thoughts?).

In a nutshell the past 4 months have been a serious blur full of the known medical fun, wedding planning, moving back to France, touring the country, heading back to the Mayo for more tests (all's well!) then off to Greece for two weeks with a group of 6 of my super fantastic friends. Adam was unable to make it to the land of Gyros, worry beads, and Frappes (sad face), but instead stayed in Paris to fire up a new year at the school. I was able to join on a recent field trip to Lille and got a great impression of the students. I think it's going to be a good year.

On top of all that fun, for the past two weeks our apartment has been run like a hotel. We've had two rounds of visitors so far, and are about to host number three....adam's parents. And in the middle of all that, a long lost girlfriend from high school just got married and came through Paris, willing to meet up with Adam and I for drinks on the first night of the honeymoon. We felt honored ; ) and had a great time showing them around, feeling like we actually knew something about this city. Nothing beats a beautiful night out sipping a glass of Pouilly Fumé (a great white you all must try!) at the famous Les Deux Magots followed by swanky 1920s cocktails at our fave, Curior Parlor, the only place you'll find a stuffed raccoon by an unlit shady entrance, a peacock, and a stuffed fox with a bow tie above the bar. Ah, we love visitors as it gives us the excuse to splurge a bit : )

More to come soon, I promise, but for now, need to prepare for playing hostess for round 3!

The Trinhs Leave

VP and Martha finished their two-week journey through Switzerland and Italy, stopping by Paris again for a couple of days before flying back over the ocean. We wish them the best on their adventures ahead (say hello to Washington!).

Two happy campeurs!

Tourist attraction #24: check.

Rent a boat?

Heading to work.

6:17pm.

Visitors!

Yes, Adam posted some pics of some delish picnic eats, but little did he mention, this was from our Versailles Gardens day with our first guests of the year, VP and Martha Trinh. It's VP and Martha's first time in Europe, and they decided to drop in for a few days before Eurorail'n it through Switzerland and Italy. We had an awesome 3-day visit with a whirlwind tour of Paris including a stop at the big sights, many pics, and of course, an introduction to Paris' outdoor gear shops. VP was in search of a new daypack. I think the sight of our Au Vieux Campeur stores blew their minds as one can find dozens of shops sprinkled all throughout the 5eme. Being that this company has so much stock and that real estate space is precious, they have rented out a multitude of storefronts within a few blocks radius, each with their own theme; backpacks, maps, climbing gear, scuba gear, snowboards, you name it, there's a shop for it. It's an outdoors lover's dream.

In general, though, everything seemed to fall right into place with VP&M's visit...perfect weather, Eiffel Tower twinkling right as we arrived, gardens in full bloom....and it just so happened that the day we visited Versailles was the first day that the gardens were playing music throughout. Ah but alas...the hordes of tourists! And apparently now that it was 'high season', the gardens were no longer free. We had a couple walking back from the palace warning us to turn back, the line would take hours. blah. We weren't in the mood for this, so Adam and I dug into the coffers of our student-day memories to figure out how we used to get into the garden sans charge. We walked along the side of the garden walls and found a side gate with a worker unlocking it; it was worth a shot. And somewhere outa nowhere, the courage came out and I walked right up to the man and asked in the best french I could if we could enter here for a picnic. He gestured that we could picnic somewhere outside the gates, but a simple puppy dog face and a "mais pas les jardins, monsieur?" (but not the gardens) melted his authority. First he fidgeted with his cell to ask his superior, then simply waved us in and kindly directed us to the gardens. I guess the french really does work sometimes when you want something. Needless to say, we got in and had a magnificent spread of fresh market eats and wine along the canal followed by a full day of promenading throughout the grounds.

Just hours after arriving, we all took a stroll though town and stopped at each park along the way for a jet-lagged snooze

Coffee break before heading off the to outdoor gear shops. 

Look at the WOW face with these pop-up tents!

Along the Seine for sunset

Introduction to French Cider. I think we found a winner.

La Tour Eiffel

La Tour Eiffel, a photo by Archigeek on Flickr.

I took a long Sunday walk yesterday evening with no intention of walking far enough to end up under the Eiffel Tower. This city is so dang gorgeous that you just keep walking, staring at awesome buildings, immaculately manicured parks, and billowing clouds rolling in. Before you know it, you've gone too far, and you have 6 guys trying to sell you miniature Eiffel Tower souvenirs in the middle of a mass of tourists. So I gave in, went into tourist mode, and took some pics.

This photo is of the real thing, not the souvenirs. ;-)

Paris Intro Walking Tour

Friday afternoon I had the privilege of escorting the class of students from Versailles into Paris for an introductory walking tour. We followed the RER to Saint-Michel, which pops you up onto the streets in front of Notre Dame. I kid you not, 35 students whipped out 35 cameras and started furiously shooting.