Travels to Paris were great - the "lie-flat" seat in the new 787 was fantastic, and we both got a good amount of sleep on our way to Paris.  We both give two thumbs up to the new plane - don't you just love that new plane smell?

Random observations:  traffic in Paris is probably worse than anything I've seen in the US.  The trip to the hotel took 75 mintes; we finally got out of the car and hoofed it the last block to the hotel.  This city smells amazing - I've yet to be assaulted with a nasty city smell... even in the subway. So far, only one homeless person has been spotted.  The inner (old) city of Paris has almost no graffiti.  Parisiens aren't big on piped in music - and we have yet to hear a single Christmas Carol since arriving.  Charles de Gaul airport is as bad as it's reputation.  In my best Bette Davis imitation:

WHAT
A
DUMP

Drivers here are many, but they aren't particularly aggressive.  A bajillion motorcycles.  Parisiens are a very well dressed bunch, and surprisingly friendly

Today was spent just getting settled in and doing what everybody does on their first trip to Paris:  The Louvre.  Absolutely monstrous, and not easy to navigate (a huge understatement).  The place is a 3 dimensional maze with passages, hallways, courtyards, galleries, all stacked up upon one another.  Of course we saw Mona (Lisa), doing her drag queen thing... along with the famous "Winged Victory of Samothrace"... and the Venus de Milo statue.  We did the museum with 2 visits and a much needed nap in between (we both hit the wall at the same time).  Finished the day at a classic french Bistro (Le Fumoir) that didn't feature Fois Gras!   The Fois Gras begins tomorrow night.


Here are a couple pics of the Louvre: