Une Promenade
I’ve clocked in 99,027 steps from February 4 to February 5. 17,925 steps consisted of walking to and touring le Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération. Built under the rule of King Louis XIV (Marie Antoinette’s unaroused husband), l’Hotel de Invalides was originally a haven for disabled soldiers, completed with an infirmary and the royal church. Eventually, Napoleon Bonaparte acquired the building to aid his soldiers. Prior to Bonaparte’s death in Saint Helena (1865), the short king desired to have his remains kept under the domes of Invalides. If I didn’t think Napoleon was an insecure, power hungry twat before, his obnoxiously large oak coffin - for his ashes - confirmed this inference.
Strolling back towards St. Dominique, we popped into a tres chic restaurant, Le Campanella, for a snort (beverage). I’ve noticed many of the restaurants in Paris are small or have so many square tables for two it feels almost cramped. My first thought was How did Julia Child fit in any of these eateries? Anyways, there's an undeniable allure to these intimate settings, where I savored a delectable gin and tonic while my mother opted for her beloved chardonnay.
For dinner, we ventured to Le Dome, conveniently located beneath our apartment. Though not quite reaching the culinary heights of Champs de Mars, the neighboring bistro, we were greeted warmly by a gracious waitress who was patient with my French. I was half expecting for the Parisians to immediately disregard my French grammar. Not my accent I am actually proud of my French accent. Mom did say, we are in a highly tourist area so the French workforce is probably use to different people from different countries speaking their language.
After a subpar dinner of escargot and beef pâté, mom and I returned to the apartment to watch an all time favourite movie of mine, Julie & Julia. I was shocked to learn, Julie Powell, Amy Adam’s character, died in 2021 due to a COVID-related heart attack. In addition, I learned that Julie, and her husband Eric, both partook in extramarital affairs after the publishing of the Julie/Julia Project. I felt cheated in a way, because the Norah Efron version of the Powell’s seemed destined to have a fruitful love affair like Julia and Paul Child.
Day three, we embarked for another stroll towards le Pont Alexandre III, the famous bridge where Carrie Bradshaw is reunited with Big. Walking along the Seine, with the Eiffel Tower in view was truly picturesque. Le Pont Alexandre III is a very gauche bridge with the biggest stone cherubs I’ve ever seen. We returned to Le Campanella for une dejeuner. Mom got the boeuf bourguignon and I got le poulet supreme.The chicken was delicious, I loved the light but diverse taste of the mushroom reduction.
