I got to spend my weekend in Paris before heading to Barcelona for the Mobile World Congress. I headed out early and got back to my hotel a little before sunset.
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Left: It was a beautiful day when I left my hotel at Rue Cambon.
Right: When I found Rue Cambon. |
In the morning, I did a little of the the tourist-y stuff and ended up in Champs Elysees. I walked around to look for a Lebanese restaurant and I was so delighted to find Al-Ajami at Rue Francois, not far from the center of Champs Elysees.
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| My main course is the MASHEWE. Inside this pita are the grilled trio of Chawarma, Kafta and Taouk. With their specialty Hummus, it's perfect! |
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| Baklawa and Chamomile Tea |
After that great meal, I headed to Avenue Montaigne. I braved this loooong walk just to check out Prada S/S 2012 literally flaming hot shoes and the heel-less collection of Giuseppe Zanotti. I got daunted at first but went ahead walking...
There was not much of the Prada shoes that I wanted to see but I got my shoephoric reward when I saw these from Giuseppe Zanotti!
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| Giuseppe Zanotti Embellished Turquoise Suede Adele Sandals |
I wish I can bring them home but 37 1/2 is a little small for me. The 38 is only available in Milan. But even when it was available in my size, it's worth EUR 1500.00! Hello Adele, you're now added to my Shoe Envy!
I decided to head back to my hotel and pass through Rue St. Honore so I can ogle at more shoes. I thought it would be nice to take a different route to St. Honore and that I really wouldn't care if I get lost since Avenue Montaigne and St. Honore are near each other anyway and I'm a tourist. It's good to be lost sometimes. I probably got distracted by this bear that I didn't notice the street where I should have turned right.
I kept walking and walking only to realize I've reached the street where Musee Jacquemart Andre which is a 15 minute DRIVE from my hotel. Gosh! I panicked a little but still went ahead walking. I was so impatient to read my map so I followed my instinct haha :)
Here's how i got lost:
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You see the red route? That's me getting lost.
The green route was supposed to be my way to Rue St Honore then to my hotel |
I also couldn't believe that I walked that much!!! At Bd Haussmann, my first realization that I was lost, I thought of already looking for a cab but the stubborn me said I'll find my way.
I was drawn to enter a park. You see Parc Monceau in the map? I dont know how I got there but my instinct told me to enter the park then my Egoutina had a heavy beating!!! and there's no turning back! POOR SOLE indeed!
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| Parc Monceau, No turning back! I was so desperate I see the carousel as the lighthouse! :) |
After getting out, I immediately looked for a Taxi stand... none... walked again and walked... looked at my map... impatient to understand the streets... asked a bystander... told me to go straight saying I'm near St. Honore.... no signs... asked again... Just one more block and you'll see Plaza Madeleine, turn left when you see Ralph Lauren...
Finally I saw Ralph Lauren and a lot of taxis waiting... do I give up now? I didn't. Saw Rue Duphot and sure enough... I saw Rue Cambon!!! I walked for 4 hours!!!
I think I got lost by purpose. Paris and its weather today are conducive to getting lost. Somehow I can say:
"GET LOST AND ENJOY THE FREEDOM!" (at your own convenience)
Despite that long walk though, I still want to go to the tower but my feet were so sore already and it was raining too. For dinner, I just looked one block and I found a little quaint restaurant that squeezes its guests so they can sit 26 people in a balcony size dining area. The food was so good though and the whole 3 course meal with half a bottle of good red wine only costs Euro 20.00!
I forgot to take a picture of my Tomato Salad. I swear it's the most delicious tomato slices that I've ever had with bits of chopped onions, pickles, parsley and a dash of vinaigrette that's just perfectly sour and salty.
I had the most tender Beef Bourgignon!
And custard cream with flavorful vanilla inside, a whole bowl of it!
Life's good! :)
