A Baguette for your thoughts

Perhaps the single best and worst thing about Paris was the food. The best because the French blend food and art like no other culture I have yet seen. The worst because my appreciation of pastries is very much ruined, maybe permanently. Let's face it, how could any other pastry really stand up to French baking? Having a bakery that was voted the best baguette in Paris in 2004 right outside my front door has made me realize that those sorry concoctions of flour and sugar that I used to enjoy are just pitiful imitations of true pastries.
I believe that my baguette consumption while in Paris averaged slightly over 1 per day, and my pastry consumption about three times that. But who can fault me for doing my level best to sample as much of French culture as possible? I'm saddened to report that even my rigorous cultural enlightenment regiment left much out. In order to complete my education, I must return to Paris for no less than a month. Not only is my knowledge of pastries sadly lacking, but I have only begun to dabble in such fields as Entrecote (a French version of steak and frenchfries that has apparently overcome its modest American roots to become high cuisine in Paris), crepes, and escargo. So much to do. So little time.

Even food aside, I believe Paris is the most beautiful city I have spent time in. Prague is magical, Lucerne is quaint, Rome impressive, and Vienna is stately. But Paris is beautiful. My impression of the city was probably somewhat influenced by the incredible hospitality of John Watson and Betsy Blackwell, who warmly welcomed us into their wonderful apartment and enthusiastically supported our exploration of the city. But there is still something about Paris's wide boulevards, graceful monuments and old buildings, and matching architecture that make it special. If only I spoke French (and maybe had a hefty bank account to put up with Paris prices) I would love to spend more time there.



p.s. Rosalie's blog is http://rosalie-bateson.blogspot.com
Unlike me, she has already figured out how to post pictures easily, and has some really great ones up.