The morning after our fancy pants, Parisian dinner (which I would love to say that we followed with cocktails and dancing until the wee hours, but I can't because we're old fuddy duddies), we met The London's for breakfast.
We were having a proper big breakfast, because upon rising, my mother declared that she would like some eggs for breakfast; no more croissants, no more pains au chocolates. She was up to her gills in breakfast breads and pastries she said. And that's when Gregory said that that was fine, he'd pick her up a baguette instead. Once a Frenchman always a Frenchman I guess.
So yeah, we found a brasserie a couple of doors down from the hotel that served omelettes. That would do. They also served coffee that was more expensive than a glass of red wine. True story. I've never been so tempted to have a glass of Côtes du Rhône at 9AM in my life... but I didn't, we had Parisian streets to explore!
First stop... the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées! And more importantly, a Vanilla Latte and a chance to add to my Starbucks mug collection which I did with this beauty. (It's funny, because since I've been back in the States, I've gone to Starbucks only once, but old expat me would have sought one out in every city I stepped foot in. It's amazing how important 'a little taste of home' can be.)
My caffeine and sugar rush in check, we headed further down the road to see what we could fine (this being Paris and all, you're bound to bump into something fantastic sooner rather than later).
Et voila... l'Arc de Triomphe! Which unfortunately for us was under construction, but is still an amazing site to see, even if it did look like it was wrapped in a big, bubble wraped, band-aid. However, its less than stellar appearance didn't disappoint this guy at all...
Look at that smile! Of all the places we've traveled together (which in fairness, isn't a whole lot), visiting the Arc de Triomphe, has been the thing Gregory has been the most excited about. (OK, he may not look overly enthused, but if you know Gregory, then you know that this is a happy face).
Besides seeing important sites like the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées, we had another landmark to see that was just around the corner...
Yes ladies and gentlemen, The Penthouse Club. No, we didn't go in, we merely stood outside while Gregory regaled me with stories from when he used to work there. I would love to repeat some of them but I have always liked to keep this space a PG kind of place. (I bet some of you may be re-thinking your 'Ask Gregory' questions right about now, aren't you...)
Laughing at naughty stories sure does work up an appetite and luckily for me, Gregory and The London's, I knew the perfect place to go for lunch... Chipotle!
Now, now, I know that it's about fifty shades of wrong that we were in Paris and not only did we go to Starbucks but we were eating at an American fast food place too... but I'd eaten lots and lots of French food... four years worth of French food, and sometimes a girl just needs a burrito. It's not like burritos were easy to come by in Le Petit Village, because trust me, they really weren't.
So yeah, we stuffed ourselves full of beany, burrito goodness and it was so good... SO GOOD. But then a few of minutes later, I was out on the sidewalk saying goodbye to Mr. & Mrs. London and I was so sad... SO SAD.
