Goodbye Paris !

Spoon Restaurant, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Day three started with having to get up at a reasonable hour to check out. We went downstairs to check out of the hotel and Sophie handed the man the certificate to let him know that she was a secret shopper. He said in a very thick French accent, “you are in-spec-tor?” It was pretty funny. It reminded me of Steve Martin playing a French man in one of his silly spy roles. They gave us cookies and tea bags for our home bath tubs (too bad mine doesn’t work!!).
We then headed out to the Four Seasons. Upon arrival, they greeted us and knew our names as they were helping us out of the car. I was completely amazed. How the hell did they know who we were? I mean, I am sure we weren’t the only guests scheduled to arrive that day? We walked into a marble floor lobby filled with stunning lavender roses and Purple orchids. The place was covered with them. I was in awe and couldn’t stop looking at all the flowers. The pictures I have don’t even do it justice.

The staff was very friendly – it was Madmoiselle this and Madmoiselle that. We were told that our room would be ready at 4, but that they would keep our luggage for us and we could use the spa until then if we wanted to. We had already planned to go to the Louvre. It was raining and cold.
The Louvre was a whole other adventure in itself. I had a few choice things that I really wanted to see – the Mona Lisa and Aphrodite. Sophie, Ed and I made a plan that if we got lost, we would meet at the information center. Literally, 2 minutes into being at the museum we got separated. I didn’t know it at the time, but they got stopped at the ticket entrance because of a bag Ed was carrying. I waited at the top of the stairs for a while but never saw them. I knew they were headed to the Mona Lisa, so I went there to find them. Along the way, I quickly passed by some Raphael, David, and DaVinci works. And then, I came to the room with the Mona Lisa. I walked in and was immediately filled with emotion. I don’t know if it was just because I had PMS and my hormones were out of whack (I mean, I can cry at a stupid commercial in that state), but I got teary eyed when I saw the painting and then turned around to see the depiction of the Wedding at Cana. It took me several minutes to become normal again.
Still no Sophie and Ed. So, I went to our rendezvous spot at the information desk. I waited for about 20 minutes and there was no sign of them, so I figured they had just planned on meeting at our leaving time. I went to go back in and couldn’t find my stupid ticket. They wouldn’t let me back into the exhibits. I even tried showing them my credit card receipt. I was soooo annoyed!!!! I knew we would be leaving in about 45 minutes, and I didn’t want to pay again just to spend that short amount of time there. Then, I got tired of standing and decided to sit up against a wall. I sat there for a few minutes until one of the security guards came and made me move. Then I was really annoyed. It was right then that I took a picture of my irritated self.
Soph and Ed were there after a little while and I lost all of my irritated-ness as minutes after reuniting with them. We headed back to the hotel to get into our room, change to nicer clothes, and experience the European tradition of High Tea, a first for me.
High tea was expensive, but definitely worth the experience. I ordered the Complete Francais high tea – it came with Champagne, my choice of tea, Lobster, Caviar, Crab, Éclair with Gold, Rasperries in Grapefruit Mousse, Lemon Tart, a Madeline, something similar to a blueberry muffin, and an apricot pastry type thing. We sat on velvet furniture in front of a very expensive lookin tapestry while listening to live piano. The funniest part was when the piano player did his own rendition of Pink Floyd – “The Wall”. He also did the Beetles. The whole experience took about two hours. And, for the first time in France, I tried out some French that was more than a Bon Jour, Bon Soir, or Par le vous Anglais. After being coached by Sofie and Ed, I asked for the bill. It was very exciting for me.
Ed and I hung out down in the lobby for a while longer while Sophie went to the room. We went to the bar and each had a Dirty Martini and chatted with some of the other hotel guests. One man in particular, we had a conversation about liquors with Birds in them – Fowl Liquors. Famous Grouse (which we were unable to determine how it was famous and we never heard of it), Grey Goose, Wild Turkey, and Cold Duck. All of this conversation was much to the dismay of his stuck up girlfriend who was annoyed that I was talking to him. Ed and I thought it was funny though.
We headed back up to the room at 9 and decided to all hit the spa. Bathing suits in tow, we went straight to the Jacuzzi. Not sure if there is a temperature issue in France, but the Jacuzzi was a little on the cold side. After we all turned into prunes from the Jacuzzi and Steam Room, we raided the juice bar of “spa juice” – a concoction that was a murky green but tasted pretty good, and apples.
Back in the room it was a sad evening. My last night in Paris. I packed up a few things and then hit the sack. Time to say Bon Soir Paris. Until next time….

Paris Day Two

Me Eiffel, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Day two started with breakfast on the Champs de Elysee. We stopped at “Paul”, a bakery that had all kinds of pasteries and sat outside on the sidewalk tables enjoying our breakfast. The day was cloudy, but at least it wasn’t raining anymore. We decided at breakfast that we would do the total tourist thing and get a double decker bus pass.
After breakfast we wandered around and stumbled upon the Eiffel Tower. All of the sudden, we went past a building and there it was. It sounds corny, but it gave me goose bumps. We walked over to the Siene and took a few pictures, and then we saw the bus. We figured we could probably catch the bus somewhere around there. So, we tried to find the bus stop without any luck. We even tried to follow one of the busses to see where it stopped with no luck (the bus was too fast!). Eventually we got frustrated and decided to go back to the hotel to figure it out.
After getting directions to a bus stop at the hotel, we hopped on the bus but there were no seats. We got tired of standing up and decided to get off and wait for the next bus. That bus was full too. So, we got on anyway. The tour was really cool… I swear I will never make fun of the NY tourists again for taking those busses. Because of the short amount of time I have here, it was ideal because I got to see a lot of things that I wouldn’t have been able to see, even if it was from a distance. We decided to get off at Notre Dame. The cathedral was immense and ornate. I am learning that everything in Paris is ornate. They really care about making things look nice here – and CLEAN. For such a big city, I was surprised at the cleanliness. I guess I am so used to dirty New York .
The cathedral had a mass going on and obviously it was all in French and I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. I liked it when they got to the parts where they would sing (music has always been my favorite part of the mass).
After Notre Dame, we went to a sidewalk café again. I had a really yummy French bread, brie, tomato and cucumber sandwich. It was here that I was introduced to my favorite French food – Croque Monsior. Sophie ordered it and I got to try a bite. I put this on my mental list of things to order for myself before I leave. It’s basically a ham and cheese sandwich and they toast it and melt a few different cheeses on the top. Not fattening at all. Croissants and cheese, how do these people stay thin? It was at this restaurant that I also noticed a uniquely Parisian thing… Dijon. I had noticed it at the other restaurants but thought it was a fluke. But now I know, that no table in Paris is complete without a little jar of REALLY HOT Dijon mustard. I began to put Dijon on everything. It was sooo good. French fries with Dijon, French bread with Dijon, Croque Monsior with Dijon. Ummmmm.
We headed back toward the hotel and after getting off the bus we ran into a parade. I am not sure what it was for but they marched with a band and flags up the Champs de Elysee to the Arc de Triumph. I kind of got stuck in the middle of the street so I got a good view of all of it. What a nice surprise. I know it is totally nerdy but I like that kind of stuff. Did a little shopping, where I saw a man who was taped to a tree. I don’t know why but it was probably one of the strangest things I have ever seen. Then I was approached by a man wearing a blue baby outfit and a woman (who I think was his wife) wearing a pink baby outfit. For some reason they wanted me to “kiss the baby”. They were talking up a storm to me in French but again, I had no clue what they were saying. I said “anglais” and they. Back to the hotel for a while to rest. I took a bubble bath – something I can’t do in my apartment in NY since the shower thing-a-ma-jiggy that converts to the bottom spout doesn’t work. It was very relaxing after touring around all day. And then it was time to eat…. Again! We headed out to a place called Citron but it was closed (on a Saturday night?). Went to plan B – Femmete Marbeuf, but it was stuffy and we encountered a rude woman who shushed Ed when he asked for a table for three (in French!), then spouted off something that I am sure wasn’t nice but couldn’t understand. And then the last word “reservacion”. Ok, I get it now. She didn’t have to be a bitch about it!!
So, we ended up eating at another choice down the street. The place was not as stuffy and it ended up being a much better choice. They had Sangria after all.. who could go wrong with that. It made me want to whip up a batch of my own sangria when I get home. I ordered a prawn and Andalusian rice dish. It was the first time I have had prawns served to me with the head on it – little black eyes looking right at me. I peeled off the heads and ate the shrimp the way I am used to. This was after having half a basket of bread with Dijon spread all over it. The waiter gave me a free glass of sangria – said it was the last glass in the pitcher. I didn’t complain.
And then it was time for dessert! I had a Grand Marnier Flambeed Crepe. Soph had Crème Brulee and Ed had some mix of chocolate gelato stuff that was really good. It was quite a nice evening and I felt like Violet in Willy Wonka (the one who turns into a giant blueberry and rolls away). Food coma overtook my body and I went to the hotel and went to bed after doing a little midnight shopping – which I found to be really fun and slightly crazy that the stores were open.

Bon Voyage

My Room II, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Today I left for Paris. It has been a busy week. Work was a little crazy with this new type of deal we were working on. We were short staffed and it was stressful. I had very little time to do anything… couldn’t even get to the store before it closed to get dog food. So, it was rush rush all week long until Thursday, then rush to get home to get to the airport.

My friends Sophie and Ed had the driver swing by and pick me up. It was a long trip to the airport. We left at 5 and got there around 6:15. We waited in a horrendous line to get checked in. The line was so long that it got to the point that we had to be called up to the desk because it was getting close to our flight time. We got put to the first of the line to go through security though, so that was nice.
Our flight finally left at 8:30. I am a horrible flyer. I don’t get nervous or sick or anything like that. But, I can’t sleep. And, for those of you who know me, I don’t function well on little sleep. It’s like I am in the twilight zone. So, I ordered two of the little bottles of wine to try to make me tired, but I still barely slept.
We got to London early in the morning, then hopped another flight to Paris. After getting here, we got a little lost in the airport trying to find the train. Then, we found the train and took it to our stop and ended up on the Champs Elysees. With suitcases in tow, it looked like the hotel wasn’t far from our stop. We should have just needed to walk toward the Arc and then turn right one block and be there. Somehow we missed the street we were supposed to turn on and spent the next half hour trekking around downtown Paris with our suitcases. It was fun to see the streets but I do imagine we looked a little silly. We stopped a few people on the street along the way and asked for directions. They were all very nice and tried to help.
We finally got to our hotel around 5pm, and the hotel was beautiful. The man at the front desk was very kind. When he realized that Sophie and Ed were a couple and that I was there alone, he offered to split our room into two rooms for the same price. Then, he personally took us to each of the rooms and showed us around – down to pointing out where the hair dryer was. I have never been to a hotel where they do that for you!
After settling in, we took a short nap then headed out for some food. We ended up at a place on the Champs de Elysee, a sidewalk café. French bread and quiche along with some Pinot Noir got me off to a good Parisian start. Half way through the meal it started to rain. We were under cover, but the wind was blowing the rain onto us, so we went inside. Then, it started to pour. We had no umbrella, so couldn’t really leave. We sat in the restaurant for quite a while, then ran store to store, dodging in every few feet to get out of the rain until we eventually got back to our hotel.
One of the things I have noticed since I have been here is that the men here are different. They smile at you a lot (unlike men in the US). It’s really nice!
Got back to the hotel around 8pm and I was completely exhausted. We decided to take another nap before heading out. Needless to say, that was the end of the night for me. Sophie and Ed called about an hour later to see if I was ready to go out but I was probably barely comprehensible on the phone. They went out and went to dinner.
I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to a traffic jam below my window. Apparently the police start to ticket the cars around that time and it backs up the traffic. It was worse than New York with the horns. I didn’t realize that there was this whole ticketing thing going on and I couldn’t understand why these people were laying on their horns for 30 seconds at time. I was laying in bed and getting so frustrated! Finally, I went down to the front desk and asked what was going on and the man told me about the ticketing and traffic back up, and then he gave me ear plugs. He warned me that the same thing would happen again tomorrow.
Back up to bed…I couldn’t sleep so I cleared out my email in my blackberry while laying in bed. How fun.

Goodbye Salt Lake- Back Home to NY

Bob and Maggie Bday Cookie, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Birthday Number Two for Maggie
So, we were invited to a party at my friend Big Schlomboski’s house on my last evening in Salt Lake. My dad, Maggie and I headed out to Draper to drink and be amongst friends. After eating, they broke out a cookie that said Happy Birthday Bob (on the left) and Maggie. Was so thoughtful of them to remember her. I tried to make Bob stick out his tongue too for the picture but he didn’t do as good of a job with the instructions as Maggie. I think we should have given him more booze but he said he had to go to the gym or some crap like that! Maggie and I put a big dent in a bottle of Captain Morgan after a really tough day at work. Just what we needed. Played pool in the basement with the guys – we both had a great time. And now, it’s back to New Jersey and my long lost friends there. Will miss my times in Utah but can’t wait to see my pals!

On a much sadder note...the pimp cup mentioned below in the last post broke during my trip home. I was distraught.

Pimp Cups

Melting Pot Pimp Cups, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Happy Birthday to Maggie. Tonight, we went out in style. I made pimp cups. We were supposed to have a joint birthday party in the city but I got sent to Salt Lake. Originally, the plan was to have us be the stars (or pimps) of our own party and we were gonna have the pimp cups sportin in NYC. But, that didn’t work out and I made them anyways. Mags and I took them out for her bday in Salt Lake City instead. We went to the Oyster bar and these two people next to us bought us a drink right away (they loved the pimp cups too). It was a really strong shot and we were both on an empty stomach. We got toasted in about 15 minutes. Then we headed to the melting pot, donning our glasses at both locations and drinking from them and just being the cool people we are. BTW, Maggie and I fought over who weighed more but we weigh exactly the same amount to the half pound. Random information.

Happy Sumo

Happy Sumo, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Today, to finish up my last week in Utah, I went for sushi for the first time since I have been here (minus ordering in for lunch one day). We went to the Happy Sumo. Maggie asked, what is SAKE (as in heaven’s sake) and why is there so much of it on the menu. She was serious. This is why I love her.
We had a nice ensemble… some Tuna Tataki, Sake, some rolls with crab, eel, octopus, tuna, and shrimp. Yum. And the pounds keep a comin.

This is Why I'm Hot

Maggie Golf, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

So, Maggie and I went golfing today at South Mountain in Draper, Utah with some friends. This was Maggie’s first time and she did a pretty damn good job. I am proud of her. It was really too cold that day though so we bagged it after the 7th hole. Still a good time!

As a side note, we went out for Cinco De Mayo the night before, got up and went to breakfast hung over, then to golf, then to work for several hours. Went to the hotel to check Maggie in and saw this big tour bus parked outside. It was for Mims – the guy who sings “This is why I’m hot”. He happened to be staying in the same hotel and Mags and I saw him there. Then, later that night, we were walking back from dinner and ran into him in a parking lot. We looked like CRAP – sweatshirts, jeans and tennis shoes. He asked us if we were “comin to da club”.. we laughed and said something back to him and his friend. Then we turned around to walk away , still within earshot, and Maggie grabs my arm and leans over to me and says, “This is why we’re hot”. I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard.

Cinco De Mayo

Corona, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

Happy Cinco De Mayo
So, cinco de mayo is not really cinco de mayo unless you have some tequila and corona’s right? So, that’s what we did. Plus, as an added bonus we have a sombrero picture.
Mags and I went out to Port O’Call in Salt Lake City again to celebrate with some of our co-workers (Anne-Marie, Ellie and Landon). We danced to the disco drippers, got some free drinks, broke some corazones. It was fabulous.

Fondue - Melting Pot

Fondue - Melting Pot, originally uploaded by quimerizar.

So, I have developed this routine with all of my coworkers that have come out to help train the new team in Salt Lake. I pretty much take them to all the same restaurants. The Melting Pot (or, The Pot for short) is one of those places. I love this restaurant. It is a four course fondue dinner that starts with Cheese, then Salad, then a main cooking style, then chocolate. We all loved it. Check out the dessert plate. This is why I have gained 10 pounds and can no longer fit into some of my clothes. When I get back to Jersey this is all coming to a screetching halt. There is no way I am keepin this ten pounds!