One of my interests in France is to read the English translations on restaurant menus. One of my favorites was a Parisian restaurant that shall remain nameless that we encountered in September. The English menu had on it several amusing items but the best by far was one called "Ocean spine". No one at our table had the foggiest idea what that might be. Since I always request the French menu, I found out that it was a brochette with seafood. Where they got the English translation, I will never know since I did not want to insult them by pointing out the silly translation. And here is the ocean spine.

As you know Paris is the home of some of the best "chocolatiers" in the world. We passed by this shop and were amazed by the display in the window, namely a chocolate shoe. I don't know if anyone would want to buy this piece to eat. It is called "Chaussure Stiletto" and it is priced at 53 euros. I wonder if they would make another to have a pair?

Here we are back after an hiatus of several months. We hope to continue on a regular basis. A few weeks ago we were having hot chocolate at Deux Magots. Seated directly in front of us were two French youngsters who were busily engaged in drawing. Their parents sat beside them enjoying their coffees. They were well-behaved and worked hard on their pictures. A perfect example of how French children are more well-behaved in public than American children tend to be.

If you can get to the Branly Museum before the 24th of January, there is a fine temporary exhibit of artifacts entitled Cité des Dieux. It is about the Teotihuacan culture in Mexico some 1500 years ago. Below is a ceramic "pot zoomorphe". There are almost about 45o pieces from the ancient Mexican culture.