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.editorial.

random thoughts and musings

Paris Recommendations Paris is one of my favourite places on the planet. I've gone twice in the past two years and here are my recommendations:
General:
Walk as much as you can. and if get a carnet of tickets for metro for the metro and the buses. the buses are really easy to use, just read the instructions on the bus stands. you can buy tickets on the bus too. to buy tickets for buses, look for a map on the bus shelter that will tell you where the nearest tabac that will sell tickets. some bus stops will also have electronic signs telling you when the next bus will be arriving. (love that) 
Metro is easy to use, but stops are close together like London, so you can walk most of it if you are up to it.
Get a "plan de Paris" at a newsstand. it's well worth the money, it's the BEST map book and lists everything. It's my bible for Paris. Not a guide, but you will never be lost with it.
Food: (in no order)
In general, I've not had one bad meal in Paris, but the following were the ones I really enjoyed and have gone and will go back time and time again)
restaurant at Theatre du Rond-Point, 2bis av Franklin Roosevelt metro. 8arr
Latin St. Jacques - for Marmite casseroles. (St. Severin & St. Jacque) 6th
Le Grenier de Notre-Dame , 18 rue de la Bûcherie, 5e.  (vegetarian)
Les Cinq Saveurs , 72 rue du Cardinal-Lemoine, 5e. (vegetarian)
Les Jardin des Artemis -  rue Mouffetard (cheap eats street in 5th, lots of fixe-prix)
Les Deux Margots (cafe) - famous and of course you should go.
La Procope (oldest restaurant) http://www.procope.com/ (behind the restaurant is a covered passage way that's got nice shops, cafes)
Alcazar 62 rue Mazarine, Paris, France. 6arr
6arr. st. michel metro area. St. Andres des arts is a great street for food. lots of great places for crepes!
Patisseries:
(ranked)
Pierre Herme - 6th, 72 rue Bonaparte  (heavenly and a must!)
Laduree http://www.laduree.fr/ (Madelaine)
Fauchon (of course) http://www.fauchon.fr/fr_home.aspx (Madelaine)
Dalloyau (closer to Champs Elysees)
Shopping:
I prefer St. Germain area in the 6th because it's more chic and has many of the same designer stores.  st. sulplice area.
Herve Chapelier
Petit Bateau for good tees
There's the shopping centres, but walking on the streets is so much more interesting so that's what I do.
there's a kitchen store on st. Andres des arts that's very nice.
Museums:
Louvre (of course) (http://www.louvre.fr/) I love the pyramid entrance. There's also a shopping mall underground attached. And post office.
Musee d'Orsay is worth a visit. Impressionist art. The restaurant on the second floor is a good spot for food and is a great setting.
Musée National D'Art Moderne: Pompidou Centre. But the view from the top of escalators ( I think it's free as you haven't entered the museum yet) is great for a panoramic of Paris.
Sights:
Eiffel Tower (of course, get there before 7pm and you can mail postcards from the post office, which will stamp it with a special stamp cancelling stamp) Jules Verne Restaurant is very nice (and you can get up on the tower for free on private elevator without the line) but the place books up fast, worth a try for a spot for lunch they have more openings for lunch.
Arc de Triumphe - getting out at the CDG metro stop will give you the best view coming up to the site. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Grand Arc at La Defence as well. and of course, the champs is right there. Fun street to walk down.
Jardin du Luxembourg (6th)
Market: Place du Maubert and Place du Monge for two good ones. I think the mornings are Saturday and Sunday respectively. But should check it out first.
You should definitely take a night cruise on the seine. Great views.
Notre Dame (of course) (the street behind it heading towards the river has some of the best priced souvenirs)
Walk around Ile St. Louis, very small and quaint. There's a famed ice cream place there: Berthillon
Place Des Vosges
Pantheon (5th)
Walk along the Seine. Messing About So Inspired by Jenny and Nicole, I've taken up to doing my own blog. Taking the first chance to mess around with the html design etc.
Fun in a way, but also some what interesting to actually be programming of sorts at home while I spent the whole day at work doing it. It's by far, way too much. I can so see why I won't be really able to do a proper blog of any sort until I can manage to quit my day job and find something else.

Elections
Tomorrow is the US elections, I can't vote because I'm not allowed to. I am not a citizen. Interesting though. I've always thought politics in the US were a lot more interesting than back in Canada. I do hope everyone who can vote does make the effort, I'd like to think that if I could I'd take an active interest and make sure I get informed and go out there and vote.