'Allo from Parise.

Hi again,

We have been in Paris four days now and it's another great spot to visit. It gets 4 VSA's (Valenti Stamp of Approval).

The main thing to hit you is the number of Cafe's, Pasticherie's and Chocolatier's.
The Chocolate shops in particular are amazing. They are set up like fancy jewellery store's and their merchandise costs about the same! We could eat their baguettes (sandwich subs) all day long, their bread is just to die for, it is really amazingly good stuff. Croissants, Brioche any type of bread. It's all heaven. So many breads, too many kilo's and so little time, sigh......

We have really been busy getting around to all the "tourist" sites which have included The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Invalides, many museums and of course The Arc de Trimophe with Champs de Elysees and all its shopping. There are many more spots we visited but can't think at the moment. We will be going on the Batobus tomorrow to see France from the river point of view.

Only downer for me so far is all the smoking the French do. It's by far the worst we have come across so far. Once again, it's impossible to get these guys to make a latte let alone a half strength one! I think I'll be changing to orange juice...

Tomorrow will also be another opportunity for Connie and I (Tessa) to shop in no doubt one of the top fashion capitals of the world. We will be heading to a large department store close to where we are staying. Hopefully it will be nothing like the "Printemps" shopping centre we visited just a few nights ago. Although it was filled with many many expensive designer shops it was truly spectacular in having three buildings interconnected by bridges. The day tomorrow however should be fairly relaxed as we all hope to sleep in... well, to at least 9am.

Driving looks pretty crazy in Paris and although we haven't been to Italy yet, you would definitely need to do an apprenticeship here. Their parking is also something to be seen to be believed. They park so close that you cannot walk between the cars sometimes. We even saw cars touching each other on many occasions. I don't want to think of how they get out! Lots and lots of big scooters here and Honda Goldwings. Not many "traditional" motor bikes as we know them to be. The 3 wheeled scooter is also very popular (2 front wheels and one rear). Copy link below into browser.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/05/11/piaggio-3-wheel-mp3-scooter/

Once again we hope you enjoy the photos and videos.

By the way, does anyone know why a "Quarter Pounder" is called a "Royal with Cheese" at a French McDonald's store?

Paris by Video

Paris

Good night for now from Frank - Connie - Louis and Tessa.
:-)