Une tarte crème de citron

7:21pm, Kitchen, Paris

This afternoon I have been working on une tarte crème de citron or lemon cream tart. In this whole process, what I have enjoyed the most is my lemon cream and the sifter I used for it, which basically cleaned up the mess I had made in the cream to produce something smooth. It is an amazing tool! As of now, my favorite tool is a Chinese sifter. The last batch of tarts are baking now, but I will upload pictures of the process. It's been a good day.



8:37pm
I made a major mistake on my tarts, but this is my first time, so the learning curve is high.

12:06am
This is my first time making une tarte of any kind, so I'm happy with this first attempt. I hope to improve on the presentation. Bon appétit!


Something I have thought about consistently while visiting the grocery stores, is how I will find the same or at least similar ingredients I use here back in the States. For example, we don't have coing, which is a type of fruit, in the States. It looks kind of similar to a pear, but it's distinct, so hopefully I will be able to find something similar when I return.


12:32am

I just bit into the tarte and I was actually nervous. I don't know what I was expecting ... I guess something that would be mildly edible. But despite the mistake I made in the tart ... it's kind of awesome - praise be Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 30:1-18

12:22pm, room
Paris

Today I am headed to a free art showing and then will make my way to le Jardin du Luxembourg. I was inspired by the First Reading in today's Office of Readings that talks about a rebellious children whereupon the Lord is just waiting to give favors if only they would find rest in him.

"By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust your strength lies." Throughout this trip, I feel as if I have been trying to 'make things happen' and they have not happened or I end up being frustrated. However, when I am not planning anything but praying and trusting, everything just falls into place. This is a constant struggle. It's hard when you've organized in the past to not have plans or to not have things set or if it's just your personality to be like this, but God just works in ways otherwise.

11pm, Paris

Today I tried to buy a copy of La Maison-Dieu's Le Mouvement liturgique; but apparently despite that I had ordered it from La Procure and was told to come in, they are actually not selling this anymore. I'm fairly confident there was a serious miscommunication. It's fine though as copies from this particular issue were emailed to me today! And of all days when I was disappointed and had been waiting weeks ... the USML library's scanner was finally fixed - praise be Jesus Christ! I was able to get next month's Magnificat though, so no trip was wasted!

I then went to see a free art exhibition of paintings looking at people who had experienced suffering and hope through tradgedy. The exhibition had about 30 paintings of the faces of children, women, and men and the artist's name is Antonio Veronesse. It was a compelling range of emotions and a emphasized specifically with the artist's use of the colors red, white, organge, and black.

The rest of the day I read up on readings within the Liturgical Movement in le Jardin du Luxembourg to prepare me for when I visit the monasteries. Woo hoo ... the details for preparing this are becoming refined with each day. Mass was at L'Église Étienne du Mont.

Unexpected but part of His plan

This weekend I had hoped to visit Solemes and the great Abbaye, but these plans have fallen through and it looks like it will be Paris for the weekend. It's, of course, not a bad thing ... as it's been raining consistently over the past couple days. The forecast for this weekend is 80's and sun.

We never know what God will bring into our paths or where we are going or what lies ahead, and there's only so much planning we can do. In my case, I am very particular with my time but working on God's time can throw you for a loop. My challenge for tonight is to embrace the unexpected and to just trust.

I will praise God for one thing tonight and that is my wonderful flatmate, Emilie. She is a real girl and a good friend I just feel I am so lucky to have while on this trip. She has helped me process stuff as it comes, helped my french, been a great roommate, and been a good pal to laugh about random things while in Paris. God sends us angels all the time. We are lucky when we are able to have them as friends. As she reminded me today, I am here as I should be and everything is happening as it is supposed to.

Celebrate avec du vin

I celebrated the evening making my meal a mix of french and filipino. You could never take the rice out of me! Today was a good day; and due of celebration, so I celebrated with my first purchase of inexpensive (and still delicious!) bottle of du vin rouge (red wine). In a short amount of time, I was able to accomplish much ... so I guess in some ways, no matter where you go ... your personality just stays the same. Today I went shopping for hours looking at the prices at Bovida and Mora for professional cookware. Once everything was sufficient, I went to Darty to purchase an electric product. Then, off to a pâtisserie. Dropped off things at my flat and called various financial institutions. Then, off to Mass at Saint-Lambert's. Finally, what I couldn't find at Edy's, I went to another grocery store where the cashier was so entertaining - very refreshing for a long day! What I loved was the employee helped me find the ingredients I needed! Tomorrow tools in hand and ingredients ready ... I plan on creating something.

So, it turns out the laws in France are such that if you want to work and even volunteer to work at any French business, you need the necessary paperwork and there needs to be some form of declaration. I did not know that! And what I have been aiming for - that is, volunteering - is simply not possible given the laws here. It's cool, and that's how it goes. I finally understood why today when someone explained to me in french and slowly what was required. Onto plan 2: it's onto taking courses in des pâtisseries with the cuisine classes or schools that cater to short stays! It will just be a lot of practice at home...

Vive la confiance et l'amour du Christ!

Friday I finally visited le Musée national du Moyen-Âge (The National Museum of the Middle Ages), which is an impressive collection of liturgical art, tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and church artifacts from the early to late Middle Ages. If you love Catholicism or just have an appreciation for the Middle Ages, this is the museum for you. I spent the whole day there and when I finished, I wanted to go through everything over again. They have preserved a lot of altar pieces for display, and the intricate carvings (in the marble or wood) is so detailed - you have an appreciation for the craftsmanship that took place for something sacred to take place.


Also, the tapestries were amazing. The story and movement within each tapestry was impressive, but my favorite was definitely La Dame à la licorne (the Woman and the Unicorn). There are 6 pieces that look at the 5 human senses (taste, touch, sound, hear, and smell) with the final one called Mon Seul Désir, or My Only Desire. In this last tapestry, the woman revokes her material goods for ... and there are many theories: 1.) For Love or 2.)For Love and Christ. I obviously favor the second theory. It was so beautifully crafted and detailed; I think I spent an hour just looking at the tapestries in this room.

It was also equally impressive to see how churches had evolved over so many years. Sculptures, arches, and columns from churches (Notre Dame, Saint-Denis, and others) were on display and had been removed to make room for either new construction within each church or new sculptures.

After the museum, I went into a bookstore and found myself in front of the Sociology of Gender section. I was very curious of who was writing about Gender in France since the previous bookstore lacked selection. This definitely was outside of pop culture and seemed more thorough, and there was a good selection of past to contemporary writers (based on the copyright). Most of these writers were new to me, so I was very curious as to what they were writing about.


I walked over and spent the rest of the late afternoon at my favorite garden, le Jardin du Luxembourg.



The layout of the flowers and ambience are a good way to end the day, with Mass at L'Église Étienne du Mont.

Saturday was spent enjoying the work of Auguste Rodin. I feel like my appreciation for sculptures and the sculpturer grew exponentially while I visited le Musée Rodin (the Rodin Museum). During the rain, I stayed in the l'Hôtel part of the museum. This section is good because it's shows a lot of Rodin's work prior to his final pieces that are displayed in the garden. It helps prepare you for his work and to see the process that is involved. The fact that his initial models were all fashioned by his own hands and then the caster poured over allows you to see his brilliance. My favorite sculpture of his was the first work he did, which was actually rejected. In making the piece, he made a mistake and the only part that was salvaged in the headpiece (or bust as it is called) was the face, which is practically a mask. Nevertheless, he had a deadline, so he submitted it; and sure enough, it was rejected. Later he would comment that this was his best work because it influenced all sculptures to follow. My favorite sculpture to pose next to :) was le Penseur (the Thinker).




Before I knew it, the museum was closed and I was stressing out because I really wanted to go to confession before the Feast of the Assumption; but I knew I wouldn't make it if I headed back to Saint-Lambert's de Vaugirard. What's so awesome about Paris, however, is that each arrondissement has a number of churches available. So I knew that if I could find one in the area, then it would be possible to go. The security at the museum directed me to L'Église Saint-François-Xavier. Just my luck, confessions were to start not too far from when I arrived.


L'Église Saint-François-Xavier is stunning.


There are mini-chapels along the side dedicated to the Saints. The dome is covered in gold with the 12 Apostles painted and the sacrificial Lamb in the center. Christ is at the center when you look at the front of the church with vines coming from him. The mosaics are also designed as flowers throughout the church and the names of prophets from the Old Testament adorn the ceiling. When the lights are turned on, the entire altar lights up in gold.



So this was my first time to have confession completely in French. I was nervous because I was afraid I would say something that wasn't what I intended to say and was worried I wouldn't understand what my penance was. So beforehand, I had already written down the Act of Contrition in French. My worrying was silly and confession is really the last place you should be worried. Confession is the place for grace, restoration, and healing ... not anxiety! It was such a gift to be able to go to confession; I hope that as I get older, I never take it for granted.

He followed the rubrics as I had studied them from my class on reconciliation and anointing, which doesn't always happen when I've gone but he did. I don't know who this priest was; but he was awesome, and I could tell from what he was saying during my confession that he was prayerful. He spoke to me in French normal, listened attentively, and I understood what he was saying. And he ended with, "Vive la confiance et l'amour du Christ!" (Live the trust and the love of Christ!). I was so inspired that I ended up attending Mass that he presided at, and he was just as passionate during the homily. What a treat - praised be Jesus Christ!

I lingered around taking pictures in the church until I got kicked out ... oopsy! The hours on the schedule were right, but they were closing early. I bought a delicious pâtisserie to end the evening: une tarte citron meringuée. It was a nice twist to a classic tarte - that is, the meringue part of the tart.


Monday was spent looking for a café to just have coffee and organize my notes and planning.





I feel like I'm balancing a lot, and I'm alright with that. I'm tired when I get home, but it's a joy to organize and also do the tourists things, eat pâtisseries, and visit so many beautiful churches. Emilie, my flatmate, asked me if I missed Chicago or if I felt alone as I was on this trip. And my response to her was that my home is Christ. I am reserved for him alone. And where I walk, he walks alongside me, so I never feel alone. My joy and consolation when I get discouraged is Christ. Indeed, I also get angry ... and I get mad at him, too; but ultimately, it tends to be my fault...

Vive le randomness!

Wednesday and Thursday of last week were spent visiting shops that sold des ustensiles de cuisine (cooking utensils). I wanted to check stores for their utensils for pâtisseries and their prices. Tuesday night before my hunt I had a dream of the métro stop where I ended up going to buy a utensil I needed.

Wednesday I did research on specialty stores where 4 of the stores I needed were off the métro stop called Les Halles, while the cheapest store with only 1 location was near a métro stop called Madeleine. Initially, I wasn't sure where to go because the selection in the specialty store off Madeleine was limited. In the dream, however, I went to Madeleine; so I decided to just follow the dream! Yes, crazy, right?! Turns out the store I researched was closed for the summer. So I quickly decided to run back to the métro at Madeleine and go to Les Halles before the stores closed. Once I got into the métro, I saw a store called Darty which I could see sold electronics and appliances. Looking around, I found the cooking utensil I was looking for and at the lowest price for my budget. God is so good!


Thursday was a little bit more interesting! I walked around Les Halles' shopping center and made my way eventually to L'Église Saint-Eustache. I think outside of the Vatican, this is one of the biggest churches I've ever seen in my life; it was enormous. The pillars inside are so massive it makes you feel like you are in a forest. The church is also undergoing a lot of renovation, so the renovated 1/4 of the church is absolutely stunning - ivory, gold, red, repainted ... awesome! The rest needs some work, but you can tell it will look stunning once all is done.





I then decided to visit the shops that sold cooking utensils for pâtisseries as Darty didn't sell these. I felt like I was child in a toystore when I visited Mora! It is a store for professional cookware and has everything you need with quality materials ... très cher, but you need good materials when you are baking. There are also materials for everyday cooking, but it's definitely a specialty store. Anyway, I could not help but be excited as I was going through the different spatulas, tart containers, and petite gâteaux containers ... great fun.

Exiting from Mora's and out of the corner of my eye, I passed someone who was coming into the store who I sensed looked at me. I didn't really think anything of it as I turned the corner, but then a little ways down the street, I had a tap on my shoulder from the man I had just passed. I could understand pieces of what he was saying in French, but I was caught off guard since we had just passed one another and I thought maybe I dropped something, and he was returning whatever it was to me. He ended up being fluent in English, and it turns out he was an artist and painter. Visiting his website (http://www.micheltemim.net), I was able to see his talent. What I liked about his past work is his ability to revive the mundane in the everyday. With an edgy-style, he knows how to create movement in his art. He also captures the emotions of those involved in the picture, while also evoking emotion (even humor) from his audience.

In a store I met a woman, Jane, who was so helpful in helping me find what I needed; consequently, we ended up having a great conversation on French food culture. It was so good to talk with someone who appreciates cuisine. We both agreed that learning about food also comes with having the support of the culture - in other words, how the culture embraces food will affect your experience of it. France is a good place for this!

Shifting pâtisserie gears

I think I just had my first encounter with the reality of the baking and pâtisserie world. As I'm here I have been scrambling trying to find an opportunity to learn how to make pâtisseries ... that fits my student budget :) Well, I met a pâtissier who had encouraged me that they would teach me; and kind of out of the blue, they've just disappeared and are unreachable with a vague email that it may or may not happen anymore. It's a little discouraging because my hopes were already wavering and then shot up because I was given the impression there would be lessons. Well, it doesn't seem like that's going to happen anymore, so I'm disappointed but that's how it goes.

I think it has more to deal with that the pâtissier does not want to share recipes, which would have to have happened if I were to receive lessons since I don't know how to make them yet at this point. I sensed this when I first mentioned the recipes and there was an awkward response followed by subsequent awkwardness ...

I can understand this to a great extent because your trade is something you have to protect and it's a skill that's taken years to develop. But if I were put in this pâtissier's position though, I'd just be honest and say, "Look, I can give you ideas and give basic help, but I can't share recipes because this is how I feed myself" AND more importantly, I wouldn't get someone's hopes up.

I'm disappointed, but I'm not giving up. It just means I have to not store my les oeufs in one basket, as I did with this ... and I just have to shift gears into another approach. If there's one skill that people who love to cook and bake have, is they can smell and taste the ingredients of a product; they know what is good quality versus what needs work; and basic tastes and textures in a dessert or cake stick out... I wasn't expecting this to be easy. I just have to shift gears, which may involve my budget and shorten what has been a lovely trip thus far...

Un pèlerinage pour Mardi (A pilgrimage for Tuesday)

Or has it been for the whole trip? Je ne said pas (I don't know), but it feels like it has been as I've visited so many churches. Tuesday I visited L'Église Saint-Séverin, which is known for its gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass. A couple days ago I came across a free guide for churches in Paris. As soon as I had my hands on this, my heart soared and I knew my church visiting would increase exponentially. Everything is there: Christ in a very concrete way, beauty, peace, rest. It's the one place I can always go to and feel at home.

While there I came across a program put on through the church called Elle et Lui (She and Him). This is the first church I've come across with this program for couples, which I heard a little about but still do not know that much. From what I've heard it's a good program, and it helps strengthen couples through the teachings of the Church. It would be good to connect with the parish office about this program, as I haven't seen it promoted in many churches. Aside from it's beautiful windows, this church definitely stands out.

I must have sat for 30-minutes just admiring this painting. There was no way of knowing who painted this, but I just appreciate it so much. To see Jesus dead and his body being cared for and ministered to, even as he was dead. I think I was most struck by the angel in maroon, off to the left who is crying as the other two are ministering to Jesus. It's beautiful because most of the time when we see paintings of the angles, they're all rejoicing. But in this painting, there's both the heavenly and profound sadness. I've never seen the angels depicted like this before, but what a concept to think that even the angels grieved.


Across the street was L'Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, which is a parish for Melkite Greek Catholics. It is 1 of the 3 oldest churches in Paris, very intimate, and still holds Masses.

I also visited the exterior of L'Église Notre Dame. It is good to see that the renovation is finally over. I remember when I first was at this church, the towers were black with age and dirt, and it was undergoing massive renovation inside and out. Now seeing the church, it's quite a scene as its towers have been restored back to their original ivory and how dramatic it stands, as it is directly next to la Seine.


This was my favorite sign in the store that was less than hospitable; I think it's kind of hilarious.


I walked past Place St. Michel and eventually found myself on one of the oldest streets in Paris called Rue Mouffetard. I feel like this street is perfect for a film of some sort. It just has that ambiance as you're walking through the local shops and narrow, curvy road where you kind of feel transported back to a different time period. Indeed, it's definitely got new shops since over the years its become more touristy, but there's still a lot of the local feel here. I prayed vespers in L'Église Saint-Médard but was very frustrated with something that had happened in the church. I wanted to tell someone but there was no one around. The situation just made me sad.

Wandering up the Rue Mouffetard, in such a tiny area, there were so many restaurants. Normally, I'm used to driving from one neighborhood to the next to find the type of food I want. But in Paris, the standard and appreciation for food is so high here. It's a wonderful city to visit if you love food because you have a variety of food options within 1 block. It's a very authentic food culture where even the waitservice supports that culture -- in other words, your waiter is never going to rush you even if you sit for 4 hours with a tiny espresso cup because it's just understood that good food and drink should be enjoyed and that it takes time. Gotta love that. My favorite food is Tibetan, and I found one on this street, next to an Italian restaurant, next to a French traditional restaurant, next to Lebanese, Chinese, and pubs.

Mass was held at the beautiful L'Église Etienne du Mont; and afterwards, I found a famous pâtisserie called Dalloyau next to le Jardin du Luxembourg. My dessert was a rasberry macaron layered with vanilla and crème and filled with raspberry ganache inside.

Surf Work Eat Play ... Can we add Pray?

I feel like this is a pretty sufficient way of describing how my trip is going! But with one exception, I would like to add the word 'pray.' If I could add a Christian smiley face to the sign, it would look like this +:o)

My colocatrice (female flatmate), Emilie, has called this trip a holiday; the penance I received in my last confession prior to this trip I was told to enjoy and play and have fun (I will try to go back to that priest again!); the chef at a French restaurant told me to eat as much pastries as possible; my spiritual director had recommended to pray about certain areas while I'm here, and I'm visiting a lot of churches more than I realized I would; while my American tendency is to work and surf.

I definitely feel things are being balanced, or maybe a better way to describe this is that 6 birds are being killed (or at least trying to be) with 1 stone. Exploring and investigating the pâtisserie scene here has been delicious and fun, especially because I enjoy baking and the artistry behind the French pastry. Rest and tourist-mode are an interesting combination. The tourist-mode can keep us from resting because we want to see everything all in one week ... or we have to do or see this when by the time you reach home, you're exhausted and a vacation from the vacation is in need. Being here for longer than usual, however, has allowed me to take my time and to enjoy the museums, gardens, churches, desserts, and neighborhoods that any other time with different circumstances, I might whiz past by. I love where I stay in a quiet part of Grenelle, where when it rains, I can just open up my windows and just write and read in my room. Trying to organize the groundwork for possible workshops or sessions for next year, I also really love. And while some would say that's crazy because I'm in Paris; if you see Christ in your vocation; it is easy to love and to even embrace the difficulties when they come. The project is no exception. Practicing my french is improving, not great ... but not bad either.

Turns out, my flatmate's best friend has an acquaintance he met through mutual friends. This acquaintance's name is Hisashi, and I reached out to him through Facebook. Hisashi left Japan about three years ago to learn how to make pâtisseries; so when I found out he worked in a pâtisserie, I contacted him to see if we could meet and talk about pastries and if he had any tips he could offer an aspiring pâtissier (pastry chef). I am grateful for the tips he gave and the conversation on ingredients, recipes, and motivation.

We spent the day going to a store that sold cooking utensils for professionals, visited the best boulangerie et pâtisserie in the Marais in my guide's eyes, and looked at quality ingredients for pâtisseries at a specialty store.

This may have been one of my favorite days because a wealth of knowledge was just being given, and he had recommended books from those who had helped him learn how to make pâtisseries. Thank you, Hisashi!

I walked home with la Tour Eiffel greeting me: Monday was a good day!

Les Églises et des Pâtisseries

Saturday morning I visited L'Église Trinité and offered a candle to a saint I've never prayed for intercession to: Saint Jeanne d'Arc (St. Joan of Arc). I realized looking at her statue that she seriously had a rough ride, but wow, what perseverance and faith! A peasant girl ... who led the French army through various military victories ... young ... and then martyred. I'm surprised that we don't really talk much about her in the States and her heroism for the Church. It's good to belong to a faith that celebrates women, young women, and even the very young (I'm thinking of the courageous St. Maria Goretti). How wonderful it is to belong to a Church that celebrates the beauty of women, their faith, and their contributions to the Church, family, children, and society. Not everyone thinks this way, but I find that those who have the sharpest critique are voices outside the faith.

Having visited so many churches so far and to see Catholic women honored through statues, stained-glass, and paintings to remember their contributions clearly demonstrates how the Church upholds women. Our Church has never waivered in defending the dignity of woman, found even in the unlikely, armored 19-year old, peasant girl: Saint Jeanne d'Arc.

I am excited about the future of the Church and how the Church and its members will respond as more questions arise related to sex and gender, particularly gender-based areas of violence (namely prostitution, sex trafficking, domestic abuse/sexual violence, etc.). The Church has a lot to say in a way that speaks with reason and joy if we are open to listening. I say "gender-based" because while all areas of violence happen to both women and men (girls and boys), the statistics reveal that there are areas of violence with a higher percentage of female victims/survivors than male victims/survivors. Healing is needed across the board for both female and male; this is obvious. This is also how our apostolate intends on serving. But what can be objectively stated is that gender-based abuse and violence is also a reality. To some people that seems pretty obvious, but there is still a belief that gender-based violence isn't possible. The numbers say otherwise. When I return from this trip, I will post statistics I've been gathering to demonstrate this point. But for now ... back to being a tourist and pastries! :)

So, after my reflection on Saint Jeanne d'Arc, I decided to tour L'Opera Garnier (Garnier Opera House), which is the setting for the musical, Phantom of the Opera. I kept humming the music the entire time I was there and kept seeing the scenes in my mind; it was great fun! Everything is very detail-oriented and embellished, which I loved. The ceiling of the opera house pictured here has a painting by Marc Chagall.

My favorite room was the lounge area and also the most difficult to take a photo in ... but was it worth it! I spent most of the afternoon just admiring the marble, mosaics, gold, which were lovely.


After L'Opera I walked about the Galeries Lafayette shopping area, which basically made me clam up ... it was so busy! I eventually found myself by L'Église Madeline, which I actually passed by twice. Given its history, I'm not surprised I didn't see it (even though it's massive) because it looks more like a government building than a church. The flowers in the front give it a soft touch. They are doing massive renovating, which makes it difficult to see how beautiful the church really is behind the stern-looking façade. It's hard to see, but there's actually a sea-green and coral-colored marble with gold lines in between the columns. The altar I think is pretty impressive, as I've never seen marble carved in this way and placed at the altar.

Behind the church is Fauchon, which is a pâtisserie known for their desserts: des tartes, les entremets, des eclaires, des macarons, and les petits gâteaux (little cakes). Fauchon is definitely cutting-edge when it comes to pâtisseries, and it was only until I tasted the pastries of this line that I realized there was a difference between some of the pastries that had made up the past week and Fauchon, which was really in a category of its own.




I purchased an eclaire that had a pudding-like mousse filling. The quality of the chocolate in the pudding was very good quality and the dark chocolate painted across the dough was probably anywhere between 60% and 75%, so delicious and good quality! There were also chocolate crisps covered with edible gold. The macarons I chose for myself were strawbery and rose; each actually tasted as either a strawberry or a rose. The rose macaron may be my favorite pâtisserie more impressive to me than the merveilleux because when I bit into the macaron I could smell the subtle fragrance of roses and it TASTED like what a red rose might taste like. The way this very tiny dessert engaged my senses was subtle and spoke to the sophisticated technique clearly used in their making of pâtisseries.

Sunday I went to la Chapelle Médaille Miraculeuse and discovered I was attending a liturgy celebrated with the African community. The music was an African language (I don't know which one); there was beautiful harmonizing, African drums, and hands in the air; and I think I must have been in the dancing section! Because the African women were all about the liturgy, and I just had to step back and appreciate how expressive this liturgical celebration was. I'm not sure I've ever experienced the liturgy this way before, but what a way to celebrate our Lord - praised be Jesus Christ!


Afterwards, I walked through a market and decided to buy vegetables. I haven't really been eating anything but pâtisseries and baguettes and have had this huge craving for anything meat, fruit, and vegetables.

On my way to finding a park, I had a pleasant exchange that fragranted my whole day -- quite literally! I gave some of the peaches I had just bought to a woman and she gave me lavender. I've never received these flowers before, but they were so aromatic my bag was filled with their fragrance the whole day (and then my flat once I got home).

After spending some time in the park, I decided to try to go to le Musée Rodin (Rodin Museum); but by the time I arrived, I was so hungry I just ended up looking for a restaurant. As I was looking and getting frustrated because everything was closed, I ran into the SAME woman who had told me where the Pierre Hermé shop was. Just seeing her reminded me of macaroons (since she had helped me find them ...) and then I was happy again. A couple blocks later I enjoyed an Affligem Bière Blonde. Das ist gut, ja?

I set out to find le Jardin du Luxembourg, but I kept getting lost despite being in le Quartier Latin/La Sorbonne, literally in the same area. Walking around le Panthéon, I came across an even better 'jardin,' or L'Église Etienne du Mont. When I walked in, the church had some type of suspended marble work above the altar from which the Holy Crucifix was placed. The organ system behind the congregation was massive. And as I walked around the back of the church, the stained glass was very detailed.

In the picture provided below, the light on the right hand side is a reflection from the light coming from windows hitting the white marble ... and that is all :)


The last place I visited to wrap up the day of walking (le Jardin du Luxembourg was closed by the time I got there) ... and yes, I feel a little guilty that I went here but I did ... was McDo's. I had a craving and needed free internet ...


And for dessert I had a pâtisserie called la Truffe Noire (the dark truffle). I don't exactly know they did it, but it was a layered with fudge, brownie, and truffle. The amazing part of this dessert was that it was not so sweet and not rich; it was very delicious and topped with a truffle dusted in chocolate powder. Now I know why the entire pâtisserie is called la Truffe Noire. This was their best pastry.