Change of Pace: Paris

Taking a break from the hostel world to stay with a real French family for five days was wonderful. I think I could get used to their way of life - baguettes with every meal, true appreciation and respect for free time, drinking wine while cooking, a certain nonchalant attitude...

Some of the more notable dishes made by Katie (mostly) and I (a little) included: zuchinni/leek/blue cheese soup, potato salad (recipe courtesy of the Old World Deli in Bellingham), apple crumble (with apples from the country house), walnut pesto made by mortar and pestle (with walnuts from the country house),  and stacks of eggplant, roasted tomato, mozarella and basil.

Katie picking out produce in the Vincennes farmers market 

Of course I did all the tourist sites (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomph, Jim Morrison's grave, Notre Dame), but also got to do non-touiristy things (shopping for produce at the market, mushroom exhibit, fire show/outdoor concert, 'clubbing').  Clubbing, by the way, is extremely expensive. 'm not sure if it's worth spending 12 euros on a gin and tonic (that's like 17 USD, I only had one) and wasting the next day by sleeping in until one.