Zali may never speak to me again.
Non, eye weel not! You go to ze Paree witout ze Zali? Quelle domage! Va tu fait cuire un oeuf! You do not luff your Zali!
We never really go anywhere that does not involve work. But this year that all changed!
Hud wisked me away to Paris after Christmas to celebrate the New Year! The first day we arrived late, so we went to a nearby deli recommended by Zahir, the manager at the Etoile Trocadero. We had a split a tasty ham and cheese crepe and a salad, had a little walk and tumbeld into bed to sleep off the jet lag. In the morning, we boarded the Metro and headed for Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cite.
We made our way through the streets slowly. Hud was taking pictures of everything. And I do mean everything!
Each and every alley was documented on our journey. We approached Notre Dame from the rear. I thought he knew what it was already, but as we turned the corner, I was waiting for him to suck in his breath at its beauty. I said, "There it is..." And he just stared across the park in front of the cathedral and said, "Where?" So I turned him to face it.
His face glowed with wonder. His eyes wide and child-like. He whispered, "Oh, my..." We winded our way throught he crowd and entered Notre Dame on the left hand of God as the pilgrims did in the 1100s when it was built in the honor of St. Denis. St. Denis is the patron saint of Paris and the first bishop of Paris. Sent to spread Christianity, he held mass in nearby caves and was later martyred.
Several other churches were built on the site , but removed for the emergence of Notre Dame in 1163. It will be celebrating 850 years in 2013. And I have to say the old lady is lovely.
They were saying mass as they do five times a day. Seven on weekends.
There is beauty everywhere you turn and Hud was seduced by it. This frieze surrounding the nave and choir details the days of Christ.
All the walls are painted with allegorical scenes, repaired after the revolution destroyed quite a bit of its original glory.
And exqisite sculptures of abound.
Not even the ceilings escaped decoration.
Hud asked if this really were Heaven.
And thinking that it might be, as we passed by Mary's alter, I lit a candle for Evelyn and her family. I turn to the Virgin when I am struggling or in need of aid. She answers most of my prayers with assistance and hope.
*for Evelyn, in loving memory*
The Christmas decorations are left until the Epiphany, so we got to enjoy those as well.
"But we still haven't seen the best part!" I told an astonished Hud. And we made our way outdoors.
The exterior is covered in scultures and bas relief, telling the woes of saints and the history of the bible. On the right hand of God, as you exit, just above your head on the door jam is Adam and Eve and the Serpent. Love the way the tree modestly covers their privates.
And how the half human snake gazes adoringly at Eve.
We made our way past gargoyles and spires.
To my favorite part of the cathedral.
FLYING BUTTRESSES! I think that deserves a Ta Da! Don't you?
This place is so cool the public toilets in the back are faux bois. Faux bois toilets, people!
Hungry, we crossed the bridge to get lunch to find it was covered in locks and bits of plastic on which were written the names of lovers who had been to the historic site.
And we vowed to return with a lock of our own.
The restaurant we chose was the A.O.C. They use local fresh ingredients. The name is a nod to the French form of the FDA.
I'd rarely seen Hud happier. We had blood sausage salad and warm goat cheese salad to start.
For mains, the A.O.C. serves French comfort food. I tried the rich fricassee de rosingnols and Hud had a succulent pork stew.
All of it was divine. But my favorite was the blood sausage salad. I think we surprised the waiter with our choices. Having read Thomas Keller's The French Laundry, I believe in utilizing the entire animal. If it gave it's life for your sustenance, then you have a responsibility to use all of it.
Lunch was at three, so by the time we got to Sainte Chappelle, the queue was too long to make it in by closing.
Sainte Chappelle is the home of the Crown of Thorns. But we would have to see it another day. We strolled on to the Pont Neuf.
And shared a kiss, as is tradition when visiting Paris.
The Seine roiled swiftly below us. It was a great way to wrap up our day on the Ile de la Cite.
We said adieu to the Pont Neuf Parc and caught the Metro back to the Trocadero.
Okay. Maybe I did browse for a few antiques along the way.
I ahm Freench, Dammeet! Eye leek to rahde on planes. Everyone has a doog. You could ave taken moi. Je pout maintenant.
