Paris 09: Marche Marche Marche... A

I think I read somewhere that open air markets originated in Paris. Maybe I'm mistaken, maybe not. But these are everywhere, everyday. This particular one is the market at Bastille. Consider it your neighborhood farmers market on crack. A long strech of a fresh produce, seafood, cheese, eggs, and everyhting inbetween, including buttons.

Paris 09: Going to the Chapel

For a long time I never understood why my mom and my aunt felt the need to visit every church we passed whenever we took a trip to Europe... or anywhere. Isn't it all the same? Altar, candles, artwork, shrine?



I later learned that visiting churches was something my mom and my aunts and uncles did as kids growing up in the Philippines. On special holy days, they would go from church to church in their neighboorhood and adjacent areas. My grandparents were very adamant about this and made sure they received (or asked for?) their blessings.







Take a seat. These chairs were in about 90% of the churches we visited. An intresting contrast to the church pews we sit in every Sunday.





It took me awhile to get into taking pitcures when we first arrived in Paris. It wasn't really until we got inside the Notre Dame Cathedral that I was enthused about shooting away. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was the light or lack thereof. Or the fact I knew I wouldn't get separated from my cellphone-less family. Or was it because everyone else in there was a foreigner just like me?

Paris 09: Bonjour

I've been back for a week now. Finaly sorting thru hundreds of photos. Here is day one. We had a very early start and did a lot. After day one I thought we had seen it all. My body sure felt that way. We covered a lot of ground on foot, something our Los Angeles spoiled feet were not used too initially. But I loved not having to drive anywhere and I miss the walking.















We paid a visit to the world famous Laduree. I have to say I was unimpressed with their store space. It was very dark in there. Their packaging, however, is awesome. I love every box they have. Their macarons on the other hand? La Maison du Pain wins. The cookie wasn't crisp enough, too soft for me. Though that might be the Parisian preference. I'm also going to have to favor Piere Hermes macarons over Laduree. No pictures of the Piere Hermes cookies, they didn't make it to their photoshoot, thats a good sign.