Transatlantic Escapades 2025

Today we decided to do something that in a million years we never thought we would do, we went to visit Mickey Mouse at his Paris residence. We really wanted to do something different on this visit to Paris. After our research last night, it just seemed like the best choice. Three things stuck out to us: the food at Paris Disneyland is supposed to hold to French standards, the cost of a one-day ticket is half the price of the U.S. Disney ticket, and we are kids at heart.  After a better night sleep we started the day as one should when in Paris, an espresso and croissant. We’ve quickly regained our ability to do basic things in French. We think the bakery worker might have thought we were French this morning … well, that’s probably wishful thinking. 😆 Both of us did take French in high school. But, knowing some French and speaking, especially understanding others, are two different things. All in all, we’re doing just fine. The important thing is trying. If you try, they appreciat...

Ugh, jet lag. We know, we know—poor us. It’s almost guaranteed that on the first night we’ll wake up at 3:00 a.m. ready to go, and sure enough, we did. Jim’s schedule is so regimented that it usually takes him a couple of days to adjust. He was wide awake at 3:00 a.m. this morning until about 8:00, then finally fell asleep for a couple of hours. Kristi’s sleep, on the other hand, is so irregular that she doesn’t need to adjust in quite the same way. After a coffee and croissant on Rue Cler, we decided to walk to the Champs-Élysées and stroll toward the Arc de Triomphe. After the requisite photo, we hopped on the Metro and headed to the area near Notre-Dame. For lunch, we chose more classic French dishes: croque monsieur and steak au poivre. We wandered only three blocks before reaching Notre-Dame. The line was short, and we wanted to see it again post-fire. Just like the photos we’ve seen, the interior masonry—most of it—is brighter and cleaner than before. We assume they did some ser...

Our flight touched down at Charles de Gaulle Airport around 11:25 a.m. Paris time on Monday. We made it through passport control fairly quickly, grabbed our bags, and headed straight to the airport train station. Two trains and a Metro ride later, we arrived at our little apartment — and when I say little, I mean postage-stamp sized. But the location is fantastic and, coincidentally, just two blocks from where we stayed in 2005. Rue Cler — a pedestrian only street a block from our apartment   We were pretty beat, so we rested for about an hour. Hunger hit soon after, so we headed out for a late lunch/early dinner. The place we stayed back in 2005 is on a short pedestrian street filled with shops and restaurants, so we walked over there and ate at Le Petit Cler. We ordered some classic French dishes: escargots, onion soup, beef bourguignon, and duck confit. The duck and beef were divine — no exaggeration. By the time we finished, dusk had settled in — winter sunset here is around 5...