luxemblog: Paris Day Two: On Bikes

Our second full day in Paris was spent riding all over the city, using their AMAZING public bikes system, called "Velib". For 1 Euro you get access to one of these bikes for 24 hours. The only catch is that you have to return and get a new bike every 30 minutes. It's not too hard to do this since there are Velib stations (racks of bikes with a kiosk for signing in) all over the place. The bikes are total tanks. Three speeds, a comfy seat, and front and rear lights. They were a saving grace after the first day of walking gave me terrible blisters.

Nils, always dapper, even on a bike:

Alejandro, also always dapper, and in front of a cool car in a cool color. Shortly after i took this photo, a man came up to us and spoke rapidly in French about the car. Nils only caught bits and pieces but he said something like how much he liked the car, and how it was rare, even in Italy. It was a really old FIAT. Nils was very good at faking the total comprehension. We escaped any awkwardness, and the feeble "Je ne parle pas Francaise" which i can't wait to stop having to say.

I got a kick out of this site - 3 men gazing up at a giant phallus–the column of the Place Vendome–Napoleon's tribute to the Battle of Austerlitz. I imagine Napoleon intended for this structure to evoke such awe in men.

Dave, looking very happy on his bike:

The 3 men sitting by the pond , near the Louvre:

Okay, so this was the only shot i could get of this amazing patisserie called Laduree. It's well-known for its "macrons". I'm not sure of hte spelling, and if they are related to what i think of as macaroons, but these did'nt have any coconut. they had meringe like shells with a soft, delicious filling in flavors like "cassis-violet", "mango-jasmin", pistachio, chocolate, burn caramel, etc. DEE-LISH! Oh, the reason why this was my only shot was because the woman on the far left, scolded me and told me that photos were not allowed.

This photo turned out to be more interesting than i thought it would be because of the older gentleman looking at me. I didn't notice him when i was taking the photo. i was just admiring the red lamps from the outside of the restaurant.