Monday October 31, 2001 - Paris

Gorgeous weather today; I even left my jacket behind because of the warm sun and comfortable temperature.  The group plan for Paris has changed a bit since last week because several appointments have either cancelled or been rescheduled.  They went off at 9:30 to visit three museums; Ferris and I decided to target the Pompidou and Guimet as our destinations.

Walked through the Marias to the Pompidou but stopped on the way at Laurent Guillot where Ferris wanted to have a ring repaired.  From there we took a bus to the museum (because I enjoy taking busses). The Pompidou was surrounded by throngs of people enjoying the weather and watching mimes and other performers on the plaza.

Our first art stop was an exhibition of work by Japanese/American artist Yayoi Kusama (of the polka dotted pumpkin on Naoshima Island fame).  There were paintings, sculptures, films and installations (love the mirrored ones).  Then we spent an hour or so in the permanent collection of contemporary art. 

Kusama

Kusama installation

Had a couscous lunch nearby and dessert of pistachio gellato.  Not half as good as Italian gellato but I was happy to have it.  By the time we'd finished eating and looking at art at the Pompidou we realized we really didn't have sufficient time to visit the Guimet.  So instead of rushing back and forth and not having time to look, we ambled back our hotel stopping occasionally to poke around little boutiques in the Marais. 

At 7:30 we had a delicious dinner at Maison de la Truffe, a restaurant specializing in truffle dishes.  Ferris and I shared an appetizer: ravioli stuffed with shrimp and frois gras.  Then for a main course I had Sea Bass with spinach.  Both were topped with liberal helpings of seasonal truffles.  This is definitely a restaurant that Cliff and Cathy should try the next time they're in Paris.   

Sea Bass with Spinach and, of course, Truffles!