Kate and I are heading for Paris tomorrow afternoon. She is super excited about it. She tells me she is looking forward to time with only Dad and no one else. She is looking forward to the crepes, and going up to the Eifel Tower when we first get there.

I admit that I thrive on being in uncomfortable situations. But going to Paris is like coming home in a way. I don’t speak a word of French, but the shop owners are friendly when I try a few words. I feel like I know the city very well now but there are also areas I would like to explore more.

I have my own agenda for going. I would like Kate to think of Paris like a second home for her. I’m preparing for the day when I would be living in Paris and she won’t feel like anything is odd about that. So, unless something doesn’t work out, I’ll be in Paris every summer with Kate.

For those who have not made it there yet or just miss Paris, please go and watch this movie Paris Je T’Aime. It’s 13 short films set in Paris. After watching it, it’ll make you long to be in Paris.

.. is when it’s raining outside, my apartment is filled with bright day light at 6:00am.  I open up the windows and smell clean air and hear the shops getting ready to open up.  I walk 5 minutes to pick up the best pain au chocolate and bring them home to eat with coffee.

So far the most memorable moments/facts in Paris, most of the adventures are in not  knowing how to speak the language and trying to get everyday things taken care of.

1. I’ve gotten my first hair cut in Paris, trying to tell the lady that I wanted short, layered hair.  Cheveux coupes en degrade, court, superposé. It turned out just as good or bad as the ones I get in the states. I won’t take a picture until it grows out  -)
   
2. Riding my bike everywhere, I have not taken the metro in 2 weeks.  Paris is very friendly to walkers, runner and especially bikes.  Bus/Taxi/Bikes get special lanes pretty much everywhere
3. At 11:30pm, I could still find lots of places to eat, not necessarily the best, but hey I am in Paris, I could get a capucino and a crou  monsieur, I’m happy
4. Me trying to speak French to a Chinese waitress while she speaks English to me until I realize that I should speak English after 5 exchanges
5. I was in Chinatown and just started speaking Chinese to the vendors.  Realizing that Chinese is the common language for me and not English.

Finally made it to 13.3 miles today.  I’m getting slightly tired with only 4-5 hours of sleep and this running, but I promised myself to sleep a bit more.

Today’s run covered 18 stations for 13.87 miles .  Highlights were the 2 farmers markets that ‘forced’ me to stop and eat some fruits

Run #4: 12.58 miles june 10th
Run #3: 12.85 miles june 8th
Run #2: 10.56 miles june 6th
Run #1: 10 miles june 4th

For 200 photos of the metro city life

When dining in the U.S, I have the misconception that whatever the special of the day is something that the restaurant is trying to give rid of.

Here in Paris, the ‘eating’ books recommend that I always order the plat du jour because it’s almost made from what’s fresh at the market.

So I ventured out last night at 11:00pm with my Brompton and visited Crêperie de Joselin.
It was on Montparnasse, famous for Breton crepes and has more than 15 of them on one single street. Some are tourist traps, but this place was supposedly very good and cheap.

I parked my Brompton at a seat and ask for Gallette du Jour (zucchini, oeuf, cheese, bacon crepe), vin rouge, un cafe. I butchered it a bit but they all understood what I wanted.  The crepe was very good, I think I’ve found my favorite dining area, but  gotta get out of the comfort zone and try other places :-)
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Gallette du Jour: ?? of the day courgette: zucchini
oeuf: egg
fromage: cheese
lard: bacon
un petite vin rouge: small glass of house red wine
un cafe: espresso