My muse was on vacation

So I’ve been terrible about blogging. I owe so many of you huge votes of thanks for asking how I’m doing. And the answer is: I’m doing lazy. I’m doing old. But thanks to all of you, I’m doing fine. And I’m doing catch-up with the summer, like this trip to Paris when France was baking back in July. 

It’s Paris for the walk.

Like most great European cities, Paris is best seen afoot. Even though said feet screamed at the end of the day and my optimistically-set steps goals were left in the dust, I knew Paris was meant to be walked. Except for Tuesday…

My first stop was the Musée des Archives Nationales, Hôtel de Soubise, which I heard had both lovely gardens and a not-to-be-missed exhibition of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Revolution. Seeing the spectacular ceiling of Salon Oval de la Princesse of the Hôtel de Soubise was just going to be a little unexpected bonus.  Except, apparently, on Tuesdays when it turns out they are closed. [photo credit: Wikimedia Commons, because I certainly didn’t get anywhere near it…]

No problem. For years, I’ve wanted to see the eclectic Art Nouveau home of painter Gustave Moreau, supposedly crammed top to bottom with his historical and mythological-themed art. [Supposedly, because the closest I got was this photo from Wikimedia Commons…] as they also were closed on Tuesdays.

But when all else fails, we’ll always have Paris food. This time I looked first to make sure the incredible bistro I’d heard about was open. Of course, it was not. STILL no problem. This was, after all, PARIS. You can eat off the street and it will be one of the best meals you’ve ever had. Then I saw it. At first I just stared. A Chicago-style deli in the heart of Paris? Possibly, I could have resisted, but why would I? The hotdog (Nathan’s Kosher, of course) was nestled into a bun so fabulously delicious I wanted to commit indecent acts with it. Lots. [moans]

Emboldened, I decided to visit the Pantheon, the spectacular final resting place of famous French writers, scientists, and notables from Voltaire to Josephine Baker. Most of Europe was in the throes of record breaking heat, but I walked to the Pantheon. And no. The snake line of tourists waiting to get in wound back and forth under a punishing sun. And no. I’ve seen other fantastic mausoleums, but I didn’t want to become a candidate for one.

I headed back to my hotel, with it’s cool and shady courtyard.

Score? Hotdogs 1/ Paris museums 0.

What a great day!

For a different perspective on travel in Paris, check out my little dog Peri’s version in her new book Oh My Dog! by Peri Taub, Pandemic Therapist With Paws.

TRIGGER WARNING: this chapter involves the demise of the Hub’s beloved Classic, tow trucks, extortion, and dognapping. 

 

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