Saturday October 8, 2011
Haneda Airport Sky Lounge
Warm and Stuffy, pls turn up the AC!
Flight back home is at midnite and am trying to stay awake so writing another blog entry regarding the trip to Paris. One thing I absolutely love about Paris are the markets. Fortunately for us, we were able to go to two markets. One was the Thursday market at the Bastille. It was supposed to start at 7am but of course, it didn't get going until 8am-ish. But what an amazing market! The produce was magnificent and so was the fish, meat and dairy display. We found everyone to be very friendly and wanting to talk to us. One guy visited California and was very interested to learn some details on where we are from. And another guy who was selling salt was so charming that we ended up buying some interesting flavored salts from him. He had a special blend that he called his "baby". Its hard to describe but suffice it to say it's flavored with the just right amount of herbs that it will pleasantly awaken the tastebuds.
On the last day of Paris, we went to the infamous market at Place d'Aligre. This was the first Parisian market I've ever been to when I was in Paris over 10 years ago. Since then, I've been obsessed with Parisian markets. The market at Place d'Aligre is open and also in a covered building. One can find everything here. I love this market because there are also alot of North Africans in the neighbor so one can get spices from that region at a very good price.
And while going to markets is fun, it also makes one hungry. One place I ALWAYS visit while in Paris is Laduree which was founded in the 1800s and also invented the macaron. Linda loves sweets so I knew she would love Laduree. We went to the original Laduree on Rue Royale. I always thought the only country where one could get Laduree goods outside of France was Japan. But found out, they have opened in NYC! Not sure if they have the same menu as in Paris but highly recommend it if you want to know what cakes, pastries and macarons should really taste like.
Bastille Market
The Charming Salt Man
The market by Place d'Aligre
Pigs roasting in the "covered" section of the market.
Chestnuts!
Sausages, Ham, etc
Butter
and Cheese
Place d"Aligre also had a mini flea market
My "sweet" at Laduree - frozen macarons and their superb pistachio ice cream
Linda's choice: St. Honore Rose Framboise. The classic French pastry made with rose creme and raspberries
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