The Chef and His Entourage

The 23rd was Charlie's last official working day as an assistant and since there were no classes going on, just end-of-the-year cleaning, we were treated to a rare tour into the depths of Le Cordon Bleu. I didn't take pictures inside because I knew an exception was being made for us and didn't want to piss anyone off. It was nice to finally see where Charlie actually does his work at school. We also got to meet a few of the chefs that run the place, one of whom pulled Charlie's dad aside to tell him how impressed he was with Charlie's attitude and work ethic.

 Behold!

 Essential tools

 A chocolate sculpture (yes, the entire thing is chocolate) by one of Charlie's teachers

Too pretty to eat

 The Hutchinsons peruse the book selection

 And he should be proud!

After a brief visit we left Charlie to his job and took the metro north again to visit Église de la Madeleine, a giant church that looks more like a bank.

Oh, and it was snowing

In all her glory:

 I always like altars to the Virgin Mary. Don't know why. Must be a Mexican thing.

 This was a sculpture created for the church that was supposed to represent the nativity. It looked like some magical oracle that one would seek on a quest.

After the church, we wandered the plaza a bit, stopping in a Fauchon to buy chocolate and passing through a couple of other gourmet stores just to look. My health was steadily in decline at this point so we called it a day and waited until Charlie got off work so that we could have Moroccan food for dinner.

Bundled up and ready to go!

Mmmmm is for Moroccan!

Then Christmas Eve rolled around and it was time for us to shop and begin preparations for Charlie's crazy Christmas Dinner. Since he's already told you all about it, I'll limit my account to my own personal involvement: shopping, taking a few pictures and sitting on my ass playing Bejeweled.

 Our veggie guy on rue des Martyrs

 The fish guy (look at those crates of scallops!!!)

 The butcher

 Captive audience

 A joint Bejeweled effort

Hard-workin' guy

From here on out our adventuring became kind of sparse because Charlie and I were both sick for a few days (and I continue to be). Nevertheless, the day after Christmas we dragged ourselves out to what is considered the Jewish quarter for some damn fine falafel. After lunch our intention was to go to the Picasso museum but we were met with a sign on the door saying that it was closed for renovation. We settled on a quick walk around the neighborhood instead and headed home for more convalescing.

 Humorous Jewish artwork

 A pretty courtyard

She must be cold

Up next... MY BIRTHDAY!