Love Is In The Air – Or Locked To A Bridge!
Twenty Years in Paris – Part IV
Let’s face it. If you have been to Paris and liked it enough to return for another visit, you undoubtedly know the two biggest draws to the city. The visual eye candy comprised of amazing monuments, spectacular churches, ancient architecture, gardens, fountains, the River Seine and the cobblestone streets is reason enough for repeat visits to the crown jewel of Europe. The other reason is, of course, the food!
A sumptuous Raspberry Macaroon Tart from Eric Kayser, Paris.
Clearly, the French can sculpt a statue, paint a canvas and design world class buildings. They can also create the most amazing, mouth-watering food I have ever seen anywhere. (more…)
A Perfect Evening in Paris
Twenty Years in Paris – Part III
We arrived in Paris at the Gare du Norde train station and took a taxi to the Marriott Champs-Elysees where we discovered our room was not yet ready even though it was 4:00 p.m. and check-in was at 3:00. We asked if another room was available and after a few minutes of feverishly pounding his computer’s keyboard and making phone calls, the front desk clerk was able to change our room so we could unpack and get ready for dinner. Knowing that we were celebrating our 20th anniversary, the hotel manager kindly sent a celebratory cheese plate and bottle of white wine for our enjoyment. Abandoning all dietary common sense during our trip, we dove right in.
The manager sent us a cheese plate and a bottle of white wine for our anniversary.
After such an elaborate appetizer, we had to think twice about heading out for dinner. Well, not really! We knew what was in store for us and finished dressing for dinner. This night’s destination was a small, left bank restaurant serving classic Parisian dishes. (more…)
Being Freshly Pressed
I am interrupting my weekly blog post to comment on something unique that happened to me yesterday. My blog is hosted by a website called WordPress. Each day they choose a few blog posts to feature on their home page in a section called “Freshly Pressed.” Yesterday, my post 5 Days in Paris: Love Locks was chosen to be featured. After just a few months of blogging, I was Freshly Pressed!
The morning started with my receiving a few comments on this post, which was 2 weeks old. My new Wednesday morning post had just been published so I thought it odd that people were commenting on an older post and not the brand new one. A few minutes later, when I received a couple more comments, I knew something was up. After thinking about where this publicity could be coming from, I checked the WordPress home page and sure enough, there it was!
I had no idea what a ride I was in for. Every time someone clicks the “Like” button at the end of each post, I get an email telling me that someone “liked” my post. I also get an email each time someone leaves a comment. Almost as fast as I read each email, new ones appeared in my in-box. They were coming from all around the world and the comments were so complimentary and flattering. A few of them really touched me.
5 Days in Paris: Love Locks
It took me nearly 20 trips to Paris to venture off the beaten tourist path and explore other photo opportunities the city has to offer. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t previously discovered this bridge, but crossing the Seine from Ile Saint-Louis to Rive Gauche, I found something I have never before seen. The entire fencing along the bridge was covered in padlocks and colorful streamers. Upon closer inspection, most of the padlocks had names, initials or other writing on them.
Like the colorful pairs of lace-tied sneakers thrown over power lines in some cities, these locks formed a latticework of color and texture spanning (more…)
Brad Bell Photo 