Tag Archives: Paris

In Defense of Aperol Spritz

by Wendy

The recent debate whether Aperol Spritz is a good cocktail is a pointless and stupid one, which makes participation nearly irresistible. This combination of sparkling wine or champagne mixed with Aperol bitter orange liquor (a little lighter than Campari) over ice has been popular for a few years, around the time when trendsetters feel the need to take it down a peg. Sure, the drink can be saccharine if made poorly, or if you knock back too many in a row. But why the disdain? Why the controversy? Aperol Spritz can be wonderfully refreshing and delicious, and it looks so pretty in a glass. As my husband Jack said, Aperol is said and done, we love this drink. Continue reading →

Americans Drinking in Paris Part Two: Harry’s New York Bar

by Wendy
Bar Hemingway at the Ritz was brilliant, but it was not our favorite bar of this recent visit to Paris. Harry’s New York Bar has its own illustrious past and list of notable patrons, including Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Rita Hayworth, and even James Bond. Continue reading →

Americans Drinking in Paris Part One: Bar Hemingway

by Wendy
The weather is cool as Jack and I walk from our hotel to Place Vendome, a large fashionable square particularly striking as its lights glow against the evening sky. My heels click on the cobblestones and I pull on my trench coat, trying to channel a chic Parisienne. We are going to Bar Hemingway in the legendary Paris Ritz, one of the top luxury hotels in the world.

This well-known bar is on the Paris itinerary of many fans of both Ernest Hemingway’s brilliant writing and the drinks he loved. I know from research that it’s perfectly fine to visit the bar without staying overnight here, but am still impressed by the hotel staff’s cordial welcome as we enter through the revolving door. Continue reading →

Interlude at Invalides

by Wendy
We decided to go to Les Invalides because of rain in the Paris forecast. A museum day seems like a good idea, and none of us have been here before. It’s open on Tuesday, unlike The Louvre, and easy to access via Metro.

MJ, Sunny and Jimmy and I walk down a long tree-lined boulevard toward the entrance, as the sky wavers from blue to grey, bright to cloudy. Continue reading →

Synchronicity in Paris

by Wendy
Dreamy Paris. City of love and lights, destination for artists and philosophers, historical backdrop for world events, setting of literature and films, longtime muse for creators and students and romantics and travelers. Even when you are walking alone, all your Paris references keep you company. Continue reading →

Shopping in Paris

by Wendy
This is not a post about shopping at Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent on the Champs Elysees. This is a post about picking up a few interesting souvenirs here and there in Paris.

Shakespeare & Company Bookstore – If you, or someone you’re thinking of, loves books, this is the place for your souvenir. While not the original location of the shop Sylvia Beach ran in the 1920s, this is a seriously cool bookstore with its own literary history dating back to the 1950s. There are rows of used paperpacks in stalls outside, suitably portable for carrying to a nearby cafe. There is a maze of rooms with crowded shelves, chairs to settle in and read, and at least one cat. There is a program offering writers a place to sleep in exchange for work around the store and drafting a short autobiography. This is where the star-crossed couple Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) meet once again during the opening scene of the movie Before Sunset. It was a treat to visit this store, and I happily wandered around for awhile. Before I left I bought Jack a book of Apollinaire’s poetry with English translation, accepting the clerk’s offer of the special Shakespeare & Company stamp on one of the pages. Continue reading →

Overheard in Paris

by Wendy
It’s funny and endearing how many Americans will call out, “Hey, where are you from?” when hearing an accent similar to their own while in a foreign city. Sometimes they even stop to have a brief conversation. Or ask if you’ll take their photo.

When surrounded by another language and doing your best to understand, your ears do perk up a little when you hear a fellow English speaker, native or otherwise. Especially when you overhear amusing comments, like these in Paris. Continue reading →

Paris Transportation Tips

by Wendy
Here are a few transportation tips to consider when planning your visit to Paris.

Transportation to/from Charles de Gaulle Airport – Look into the Roissy bus. I’ve taken a train, taxi and shuttle before, but thought the bus option was super easy and efficient, especially if you pack light. The Roissy bus stop right outside the airport terminal was not hard to find, even in our jet lagged state. There is a kiosk nearby which sells tickets (about 12 euros). The Roissy bus dropped us off near the Opera Metro, and then we walked to our hotel. That’s the catch: the bus only goes to this stop and then back to CDG airport. If you are staying in a different neighborhood, you would need to plan a second mode of transport, such as Metro. During our ride, the bus was not crowded and only took about 45 minutes, but it was early on a Sunday morning. Continue reading →

A Walk in Paris

by Wendy
It goes something like this.

Bonjour Paris! Time to explore the city. Maybe visit Notre Dame and walk along the Seine?

Where do you want to go for breakfast? This cafe looks nice.

This cafe is the best! I could stay here for hours. Should we have another coffee?

Is Notre Dame this way?

Look at the dresses in those store windows. Tres chic! Which one would you choose? Continue reading →