EXPLORING PERE LACHAISE CEMETERY AND THE PARIS OPERA....

Tuesday, September 12th, 2000 Paris

Up early the next morning our first stop before breakfast was to talk to Ann, the delightful desk clerk. Jim showed her the write up in the Rick Steves travel book, which mentioned her. She’d never seen it before and was very pleased. Then he asked for a change to a quieter room. She promised us one that would be ready after lunch. Ate breakfast in the hotel, rolls, juice, coffee and chocolate for Jim. Ate the croissants and saved the two rolls for lunch.

Left the hotel and went by Metro to Paris’ most prestigious cemetery called Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. There we visited the graves of Theodore Gericault, Edith Piaf, Francois Raspail and Jim Morrison of The Doors. Lots of walking to find each of the different graves. Up and down the hills we went. Began to rain, but we had our umbrellas. Weather was humid and warmer than we expected. Back to the hotel by Metro, we changed rooms to a fifth floor room with no view, but very quiet. Back on the Metro, we went to the department store called Printemps. There we went to the sixth floor and found Flo’s Café. A wonderful tearoom under a 3 story stained glass dome that we’d found in 1992 and hadn’t seen since. Jim had a very tart lemon drink and I had a Meringue covered with a Praline sauce. Very tasty!

Leaving the store, we walked several blocks to the Opera house. Cleaned for the millennium celebration, it was beautiful! Paid admission and spent time on the grand staircase, but since the ballet was in rehearsal, we were unable to see the auditorium. Back to the hotel and rest before dressing for dinner with George and Carroll. They are friends from New Orleans that we met through Jim's sister Barbara. A delightful pair who will be celebrating their 50^th year together on March 17, 2002. Took the Metro to their hotel. We had left the umbrellas at the hotel and had to share their umbrellas as the rain finally came down full force on the short walk from their hotel to Bofingers. Bofingers is the oldest Brasserie in Paris! We all enjoyed the fixed price dinner. Jim and Carroll had the beef; George and I had the fish. All the food was exceptional and we spent a wonderful evening there with the meal lasting several hours. Service was exceptionally good! Back on the Metro to a quiet room and a great nights sleep.