We made it! Some concerning moments along the way. The CBC with wings lost one of our bags (they left it in Montreal, actually) and we arrived at our 4th floor (5th in North American terms) apartment to discover our traditionally French elevator was on strike.
But by 6pm the elevator was fixed, the errant suitcase delivered and we were perched in a nearby brasserie wherre there was still a waft of Ilsa's perfume from her last meeting with Rick. Dined on authentic duck confit and braised pork cheeks (hog jowls for our southern readers). Appears that we, too, will always have Paris.
The apartment, like all Liz rentals, is perfect. Built in the 1700s to house Royal courtiers (soon to bow to Madame Guilotine) it retains the original ornate moldings and grillwork, integrated with a fully erquipped modern kitchen and two equally modern bathrooms, plus stereo, plasma TV, wi-fi, free LD, much art and a charming balcony that overlooks our busy rue des Petits Champs, with its many shops, markets and restaurants that we'll assault tomorrow.
In moments of boredom we can admire the owner's Emmy award for reporting on the war in Bosnia which graces the well stocked bookshelf.
Experience says we'll settle in quickly, develop a favourite portfolio of markets, butchers, cheese merchants et al - start cooking and Richard may even remember how to speak French!
(the following is an addition to the blog this year - wherever we reference a restaurant meal we will include name/address/approximate meal cost)
Aux Bon Crus
7 rue des Petits Champs
Paris 75001 - First Arr
Lunch - main plate each with beer/wine - 47 E
