[paris breakfasts] Le Road Trip in Paris

[Blogger]

Yesterday I went to CDG to pick up author Vivian Swift and escort her into town to her quite fabulous tiny hotel de Nestlé in the 6th arrondissement. Vivian had generously taken me to JFK when I departed NYC with my mountains of junk, so it was the least I could do...

This is Vivian of the wonderful le Road Trip and When Wanderers Cease To Roam fame...

Since Vivian has 9, now possibly 10 cats, I figured she might bring me Penelope. She did not. But she did bring me more chewing gum than I could have dreamed of (15 packs!). Gum has become popular in France (as an alternative to cigarettes?). Still a pack here of 'Hollywood' gum is quite pricy. And Vivian brought me the Timex alarm clock-radio I left behind and impossible to find in Paris. It lights in the dark, wakes you up to Cherie FM and improves your accent immeasurably if you listen to soccer games in the background (if not your comprehension). Almost as good as having a French spouse.

I didn't see a live cat at Hotel de Nestlé but plenty of decorative cats.

Masses of artworks and homey tchotchkes.

Even a bear or two...

There's a delightful terrace garden up on the landing for Serenity Now and peace and quiet when you need it.

Evidently every room has a different theme at Hotel de Nestlé.

Vivian has a short trip to Morocco planned, so the 'Afrique' room could not be more perfect

It's pretty normal to arrive in Paris completely jet-lagged and sleepy, but as soon as Vivian put on her J.Peterman 'English Tunic Blouse' (No. 3774) she was transformed into a dynamo raring to go. Who knew? I must get one of these.

Top of her to-do list was a decent cup of tea (Vivian's list includes must-dos in every arrondissement in Paris(!) so good thing she's got her J.Peterman with her...ahem We headed/ran out the door.

Enroute to that essential cup of tea at café de Nestle on the corner was an open doorway of interest, and like Cara Black, Vivian is another Fearless Fosdick when there's an inviting entryway.  In she marched. Turns out it's a private place just for soirees only and not a musee for the public as written on the door...

At the café my chevre chaud was disappointing. I didn't expect it to arrive deep-fried inside dim sum wrappers. Vivian was thrilled with her omelette nature and perfect cup of tea.

But she left the cookie that accompanied the tea, a Speculoos cookie of all things. I asked if I could have it and how come she wasn't eating it in the first place. Didn't she eat sweets?

Vivian said long ago a friend told her,

"Don't eat dessert if it isn't something FABULOUS!"

I did not eat the cookie.

And I'm immortalizing it here by posting it as the first-ever cookie I didn't eat that was there (like Mount
Everest) sitting on the table.

It's on my desktop too as a reminder to not eat non-fabulous desserts.

We'll see how long that lasts...

Bonne Trip in Paris Vivian!

--
Posted By Blogger to paris breakfasts at 5/08/2013 12:42:00 AM