Paris

The Eiffel Tower lights up like a Christmas tree on the hour at night (it sparkles, something that I did not capture with this shot)


What these photos don't show are the pains of traveling in Paris. It's that language barrier combined with the Parisian Haught. They are not mean spirited. They are just very good at expressing displeasure at one's faux pas. And as a tourist, I can't help but do faux pas.  It takes an amazing resolve to act gracefully under such an open display of irritation. But it's all worth it. It's the price I pay for that snappy crust on a baguette, for Monoprix, for the Orsay Museum, for a demi, or for a nice stroll along the Seine.  

For Scale


View of the old "new bridge"


Pompidou Center (Contemporary and Modern Art Museum)


Pompidou Center Interior



Chair from Tuileries Garden

Chilin' at the Garden (notice the chair)


Finally made it the Louvre...Awestruck the whole time by the collection
Winged Victory of Samothrace hallway

The mob of tourist are definitely part of the experience...by Mona Lisa

Frieze of Archers...pardon the angle, it was the only way to get a decent shot with my shoddy camera


It snowed while I was there. Lucky since it does not happen that often




Food Shots
This was an unexpected dish...I knew I got lamb...I just did not know I ordered the kidney...I am assuming these are kidneys based on the uriney after taste


Count the cheese...there are about 8 and these are all from one region of France. This is why I go to France.


A (s)tag

Strasbourg

Next stop for us is the city of Strasbourg. We wanted to see the Christmas shops which was still in full swing a few days after Dec. 25.

The heart of Strasbourg is the commanding Cathedral of our Lady. I think it's the tallest building in the old town. It's spires, lines, it's massiveness dominates.


Another view:




Interior shots



The Market and some typical old town buildings


Even France is not immune to knick knacks:


But there were some more traditional things to buy



Urban photos



It's surrounded by water



The food is special and the wine is tres bon. Below is the photo of a salad and the main course Alsatian style.



Tarte Flambee. The photo below is of stale ones used for display. They don't look it, but these tarte flambee are very delicate and rich. Trader Joe's sells a thicker version of it. The ones I had in Strasbourg were about 5x thinner, crispier and bigger.

Munich

This year, I started my winter trip in Munich. The eating (and drinking) was amazing. As a Filipino whose national dish is the roasted whole pig lechon, I was a bit ashamed that I enjoyed their version so much more. A bite of theirs is decadently rich and soulful; the skin remains crispy and the meat is both seasoned well and silky/tacky/tender. To me, what makes it better is its tastiness. The German version is better seasoned and much more juicy than any of lechon i've ever had in my life. 

This meal was surprising. First,  I did not know they did roast in Germany. Secondly, their potions sizes are huge; all the meals I ordered could easily feed 2 to 3 hungry Americans. And lastly, they food was quite tasty. 

The photo below is one of my favorite meal in the whole trip.



Here is a close up of that magic when the gelatin becomes tacky; the side dish is a quickly pickled cabbage also just delicious:


I also tip my head to the Bavarian beer and its consumption. The places we drank beer were these huge halls. Anyone who built that much space for beer drinking knows what is important in life.




Despite the average temperature of -1.5 Celcius, we still managed to leave the comforts of beer halls and see the city. This view of the city was from a St. Peter's Church tower(I think).


The Cathedral of our Lady:


Cheers to the simple joys of life and to winter's balm the Glühwein. These are my friends and hosts showing me how to enjoy warm wine outdoors at their farmer's market.