Best of...

1.  Emmy having run of the hotel when we were in Burgundy.*

 

2. Taking Emmy to a 1-star Michelin restaurant and having her fall asleep on the banquette.

 

3. Playing soccer with a balloon with a guy the night the Nouveau Beaujolais was launched.  We never talked, just passed a balloon back and forth.

 

4. Meeting Russians and Poles and French people when Emmy engaged with their dogs.  And having them take an interest in us as a result.*

 

5. My favorite beer bar in this city, Trois 8.  French bartender who spoke English with a Scottish accent, served great beers AND wines, and hand made the charcuterie plates.

 

6. Thanksgiving among 20 French people who welcomed us into their group, largely because they were welcoming, and because I've known their host for 35 years.*

 

7. The fact that the French better understand my speaking French to them than ever before.  Even to the point that twice I was asked to speak more slowly.  We're getting there!

 

8. Being recognized by the bartender at Sherry Butt.  An artist of mixed drinks, we talked about old school rap (Snoop) and I was in awe of the pride he took in his work.  I felt honored.

 

9. The Segway tour of the city.  We had the time to take many more exhaustive walks through Paris, but for an overview, on a warm day, this can't be beat.  Despite the fact that you're virtually waving a flag at everyone to declare the fact that you're a tourist.*

 

10. Christmas Carols at Shakespeare & Co.  United together in sight of perhaps the most awe inspiring church anywhere.  Singing badly.  Experiencing the holiday in a new way, in a new place.  In sight of ground zero of my aspirations to live in this city.

 

11. Celebrating Christmas with people who see us as family and treat us like family.*

 

12. The fact that in this country, even a non-foodie like me, is dragging into paying attention to food.

 

13. Saying, "We're here for 3 months", and being treated differently as a result.*

 

14. Hearing a voice from the apartment above say, "Bon Annee au chien" on New Years Eve.

 

15. The various aspects of this trip that reminded me of parallels to our visit 30 years ago.

 

16. The lights and decorations of Christmas.

 

17. The Bateaux Mouches dinner cruise with our friends.*

 

18. The musicians at the Chatelet Metro station.

 

19. Hugo Desnoyer.  Raw meat and great wine.*

 

20. Juveniles. Spending 20 minutes talking to the owner.  Her saying to call next time and check to see if it would be a good night for Emmy to come too.*

 

21. Reliving our youth by going to the Cat Stevens concert.*

 

22. The Philosophy Meetups because on the one hand what could be more French than to debate philosophy where the existentialists used to hang out, and on the other, they're nothing about food or beautiful buildings.

 

23. The Salon du Chocolat.  Twice!

 

24.  Reading a little of The Hunchback of Notre Dame inside of Notre Dame.

 

25. The weather was very rarely as bad as I feared it would be from my California perspective.*

 

26. There's always a festival or an event to go to!

 

From Maxine  -- I starred the items on Tom’s list that make my best of list.  Here are a few additions:

 

1. Participating in the march against intolerance and terrorism with 1.5 million other Parisians.  It felt good to be a part of the event and to make the statement in common with the French.

 

2.  The food.  Not just in restaurants but in the local bakeries, butcher shops, pastry shops, epiceries.  The standards are so high that it was fun just to window shop.

 

3.  Walking.  One of the things I love most about Paris is just walking around neighborhoods.  I always discover new charming streets, beautiful buildings and interesting shops. 

 

4.  Feeling more comfortable speaking French.  At the beginning of the trip, I was reluctant to speak and asked Tom to talk to storekeepers, waiters, etc.  By the end of the trip, it was natural to speak French, not that my French was fluent but I felt like I could make myself understood.