With Love, to Paris. (or something like that)

Our first vacation since starting our school year was a 4 day weekend for thanksgiving (no, they don't celebrate it here, but we're working at American school, so... there you go).   The way we saw it, this was enough time to go somewhere that might feel "autumny" to which we could get a direct flight for a reasonable fare.  The short list included London, Paris, and/or somewhere in Spain.  Paris won out as the best on all fronts.  

Before heading there, I honestly didn't think I would like it all that much.  When you've been to one big city, you've been to them all, right?  They've got traffic... big buildings... lots of people... crime... a few attractions... and probably some good food, if you can find it.  And as one of the most iconic and romanticized cities in the world, I had no expectations that "Pear-ee" could live up to the hype.  

Sometimes it's so nice to be wrong.  Paris swept me up; the amazing food, the rich history, the stunning art and architecture, and the romance did me in, and I came out a Paris-lover like all the rest.  Some pictures below chronicle the affair.

You've got to start with a crepe, right?  Delic. 

Honestly, I don't know how this became widescreen style.  I didn't modify it in the least.  Apparently Paris decides how it wants its pictures taken. 

The metro was simple, fast, and reasonably priced. 

We took a great walking tour the first full day, starting here. 

Big ole' church.

We chose to visit the Museu d'Orsay (impressionist art) instead of the Louvre, but couldn't pass up the photo op. 

Joan.

What's that off in the distance there?

After a 4 hour walking tour in the chill, warm mulled wine was in order. 

Our digs.  Very nice, but not cheap (not  that much was)

I was so swept up by the ambience I even drank coffee. 

a bomb shwarma. 

"What's that sound?" says Jyl?  Oh, it's just an accordian player weaving romantic melodies on the bridge.

Word of advice: take the stairs!  It was way cheaper and no lines! 

We liked our walking tour so much that we took another the next night in the Montmarte district, up above old Paris.  Great views ensued. 

While waiting for our tour to start in Montmarte we stepped in to a cafe for a late afternoon snack.  Turned out to be the cafe where Amelie worked in the movie of the same name.  Awesome. 

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This seems to be a trend on our trips around Europe... but I again had one of the best meals of my life.  This time we ate in a place called Vivant.  Pricey, but worth it for 7 courses of organic culinary excellence.

In our tenacious quest for high quality refreshment, we found a local brewpup: frog & rosbif.  They should stick to wine.  

Portugal Photo Journal - Part 5: Fall Delights

Autumn is by far my favorite season, whether I'm in California, Washingon, Wisconsin, or, as I've recently verified, Portugal.  Here are a few ways I've been enjoying the change...

A Thanksgiving-style heap of food!  Pot pie, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, brussel sprouts, and salad with dried cranberries and pomegranate, with a homebrewed dark IPA to wash it all down!  Yum. 

Chestnuts, roasted to sweet perfection by street vendors!  So good. 

Ah, the filtered light of autumn...

While strolling around Cascais, we happened upon some of the most entertaining lawnmowers that you could hope to find. 

'Tis a great time for the smell and taste of roasted barley!  Here is my first taste of homebrew in Portugal. 

I added smoked french oak chips to my first batch. 

A fun new toy!  My first grain grinder. 

Street Art in Portugal

As you walk around Cascais and Lisbon, it becomes apparent very quickly that graffiti is something that is part of the culture.  Although some of it comes across as uninspiring tags, there is actually quite a good amount that draws the eye or makes you think.  Here's a collection of some of my favorites so far:

To understand this one, notice that the blocks below spell "troika," the consortium of European entities that are managing bailout money that comes to Portugal.  As a condition of these bailouts, many cuts have needed to be made in the country and additional taxes levied.