So I am in Paris. I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to go, so, well, I did. Decent package deal got me here - connecting through Chicago, but I not only had extra legroom (thank you, frequent flyer status on United!) but an empty seat next to me (I had the window seat, the aisle seat was empty - perfect!) on the Chicago->Paris leg made it all ok. I even slept some on the plane, though not as much as I would have liked. I'm staying in central Paris, near the Louvre and Notre Dame. It's a strange neighborhood - kinda upscale, kinda tourist-trash all at the same time. My hotel room is fine - no clock and, more weirdly, there's no shower curtain and the shower itself consists of a handheld spray thingie, but other than that, no complaints in the least. I've got Internet access, obviously.

I just got back from going out to eat. I had duck confit, and it was, unsurprisingly, very, very good. I followed the main course up with creme brulee for desert - also very good, and a very large serving - honestly, I doubt I'll need much for dinner, especially since I doubt I'll be awake very late. But while I was eating, a cat tried to eat my creme brulee. No, seriously. It jumped up on my bench and started settling into my jacket. I shooed it out of my jacket, and it proceeded to take another leap onto the table and began sniffing at my dessert. I persuaded it to move on, but I wasn't really sure what the proper etiquette is in that situation. The cat obviously lived at the restaurant - was I going to offend someone if I pushed it? I dunno. Funny little experience.

I'm expecting a decent number of those for the next week, 'til I head home - this is my first time out of the country on my own, let alone in a place where I don't speak the language. Honestly, I felt more comfortable as an English speaker in Prague than I do in Paris. I think I need to grab a little English-French dictionary to carry around, just so I can translate menus.

More later. Much later, probably. I don't have a digital camera this trip, but I do have two disposable cameras. Once I get home, I'll post pictures. Until then, you'll have to be content with my rambling. =)