Ah, Paris... dehors.

A sliver of the abundant splendor that is Parisian food - healthy, clean meats & fresh vegetables. Don't buy from late-night supermarches.

Street musicians of the indigenous Andean variety - in Paris! - between platforms in the Metro.

Another of my favorite photos. Should've stopped in here for treats.

A near-universal staple of daily life worldwide - a farmer's & street market. Not many share this one's backdrop, though.

Another apparent staple - meaning a local political party office, not so much socialism - of Parisian life. 14eme Arrondisement, Paris, France.

More evidence of Parisians' active civic engagement.

Subway art, of the left-wing variety. The industrious Soviet hen that lays the golden egg.

30 December 2009 - In Barcelona, our party split. My brother & mom took the crow's route, while Chris & I took the overland route by overnight train. We arrived at Gare Austerlitz train station early Wednesday morning and met my mom & brother at a pretty swanky pad they found near the American Embassy. Fancy as it was, it was while here where Chris got ill - a condition that marked nearly his entire stay in Paris. Until, of course, the last day.
But in the meantime, I was able to get out & explore some of the City with Mom & the brother. The Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, New Years at la Tour Eiffel, FOOD!, Musee d'Orsay, cafe's, & even a guided afternoon tour through the hippest parts of town including Paris's own San Francisco-equivalent district. Because of that and despite Chris's ailments, holiday-induced lack of activities, & a general seasonal gloominess, Paris was perhaps my other most favorite part of my first European adventure. Our afternoon host/guide was extremely generous with his time, knowledge, & patience (especially with all my questions).

Plaza around la Tour Eiffel, circa 12:10am, January 1, 2010.

Statues, edifices, monuments... and Chris! Oh my. Near la Concorde.

Interesting configuration of Parisian skyline on a foggy day.

La Tour Eiffel, du glace (ice).

Chris, Peace Park, & Eiffel Tower.

Near la Tour Eiffel, with mochila.

View from beneath. New Years Day, 2010.

Happy Holidays at le Champs Elysee, Paris. (Sponsored by - look close - Mastercard & GE)

One of the major train stations in Paris; from where we arrived & departed.

Trash barge passing along le Seine.

Evening view from across le Seine.

Lovely backside... of Notre Dame.

Headless statue over elaborate front facade of Notre Dame.

More statuary over Notre Dame entrance.

Central entryway into Notre Dame.

Renowned Place St. Michel, metro archways & all, in Paris' infamous Quartier Latin.

Baroque fountain of St. Michel, demonslaying. The square where its situated, Place St. Michel, was declared an independent state during the 1968 Paris revolution.

Statue of the Good Samaritan, outside le Louvre in the Jardin de Tuileries

Full frontal minotaur slaying, Jardin de Tuileries.

Centre Georges Pompidou, another center for Parisian art & culture.

Here's some public rubbish containers to be proud of - low impact & sortable.

Non-QWERTY keyboard.

Street art, Parisian gangster style.

More street art - "Natures Revenge".