Safe and Sound in Germany (Ramstein AFB)

Well, wheels up was about 0145 Sunday (9/29) and wheels down in in Germany was 1418 Sunday (9/29).  The flight was late leaving BWI due to a passenger medical emergency and that passenger needed to be taken off the plane after being tended to by the medics who happened to be on board headed back to Germany.

Plane lands in Germany @ Ramstein AFB

Plane lands in Germany @ Ramstein AFB

Of course, her luggage needed to be located and removed. As you can imagine, it was no small feat and it took about 60 minutes or more, the flight was initially scheduled for departure at 2330.   Those of us who fly Space-A get used to the little missteps along the way, of course the $17.10 cost per person helps to smooth one’s patience. On commercial flights, Princess Pat refuses to ever sit in a middle seat – but she peeped nary a word with our seat assignments. We were both in center seats in a gang of four. Pat noticed that active duty military in uniform were given all aisle seats (unless they requested a window seat) as it should be!

Deplaning is an experience to behold. Officers first, families relocating to new assignments in Europe with pets in the cargo hold, military on orders for Kuwait, active duty military, then all others. A system like that would never work on a general public flight. Seatbelt light off, everyone jumps up and sharpens their elbows. We have checked into the Air Force Inn for 2 nights while we ponder the next 72-hours and what to do prior to arrival in Amsterdam.  We still need transportation from Ramstein to Amsterdam so it will be priority #1 tomorrow.

AirForse Inn

Our home for 2-days as we square away logistics

We have showered and now we’re are off for a walk around the base, following the not-to-scale rendering to locate some of the base’s finer attractions (shortened by raindrops) and to get something to eat. We had passed on the served dinner at 2 am on the plane (sleep was more important at the time) and the breakfast snack was crackers and cheese (Pat’s very favorite – Yeah, right!), roasted almonds, and an Oreo cookie. I guess the fruit and veggies failed to make the flight. So stomachs were growling in early evening.

photo After checking out the wares at the Ramstein Farmers Market in the AAFES concourse, we stopped at Roma’s Macaroni Grill for a glass of wine, calamari (pretty good by the way, maybe best calamari in Germany), salad. And, for Pat, grilled lemon chicken kabobs with a bit of heat from red pepper and grilled vegetables was the choice. Mike’s choice was a chicken and sweet corn carbonara pasta. Next wash the sweat out of our travel clothes in preparation for the next six weeks.

Posted in Germany, Ramstein Air Force Base, Restaurants, Space-A, Space-A Travel | 1 Comment

Let the Fun Begin – Off to Europe

Morgan awaiting Departure

Morgan awaiting Departure

We have departed Richmond, Virginia for our Journey which begins in Landstuhl Germany (Ramstein AFB).  The three of us (Pat, Mike and Morgan) are in the car headed to Chantilly Virginia to drop off Morgan (the dog) at

Hope they love Morgan as much as shoes!

Hope they love Morgan as much as shoes!

Tessa and Natalie’s  house so they can test drive being responsible dog owners.  Then we head over to BWI’s AMC Terminal to see if we can catch a hop to Germany.  There are flights leaving Saturday (today) and Monday, also Tuesday, but if we cant get out on Monday we may have to head to Dulles for a commercial flight (Ouch!).  Wish us luck!

 

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The Planning has begun for the October Trip

River Queen

The River Queen: A regal, art deco boutique cruise ship (recently rated #1 ship in the entire cruise industry in the 2012 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Cruise Poll)

 

This October, actually late September we are off for Europe with friends Shoe and Carol. The trip and itinerary is pretty much complete, at leas the big decisions.  Of course there will be minor changes along the way but we now have a good idea as to there we will be when.

Pat and I will depart the USA  on or about September 28, 2013 via Space-A, Shoe and Carol will be using commercial air. Continue reading

Posted in Amsterdam, Bernkastel-Kues, Breisach, Cochem, Cologne, Germany, Hesse, Koblenz, Moselle River, Paris, Ramstein Air Force Base, River Cruise, Rudesheim, Space-A, Space-A Travel, Speyer, Strasbourg, Switzerland, TGV | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Baguette is not always a good Baguette

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Rachel Khoo’s favorite places in Paris

My favourite places in Paris, by Rachel Khoo

Check out the map

http://thelittersitter.com/faq/what-do-you-require-from-my-dog/ Restaurants

75001
http://viningsnaturalhealthcentre.co.uk/1564-2/index.php?profile=pink Verjus Wine Bar 47, rue Montpensier
The brainchild of Braden and Laura of Paris’s supper club Hidden Kitchen, head here for an excellent selection of small plates, such as morsels of buttermilk fried chicken and celery root dumplings.
Spring 6, Rue Bailleul
Executing a five-step tasting menu from a totally open kitchen, American chef Daniel Rose and his team offer an inventive and thoughtful dining experience just a stone’s through from the Louvre.

The Beef Club 58, rue Jean Jacques Rousseau
Opened in early April by the team behind The Experimental Cocktail Club, The Beef Club is modeled on an Anglophone steak house and is serving up Longhorn beef sourced from Yorkshire by Ginger Pig.
75002
Frenchie 5-6, Rue du Nil
Ex-head chef of Fifteen Greg Marchand’s table is one of the hardest to get in the city. Head here for the fresh and innovative market menu and casual, but fun atmosphere.
Frenchie Bar a Vins 5-6, Rue du Nil
Following the success of Frenchie restaurant comes the equally sought out spot at the no reservations wine bar.
Blend 44, rue d’argout
Blend burgers are the talk of the town, based on a special blend by boucher boheme, Yves-Marie le Bourdonnec.
75003
Breizh Café 109, Rue Vieille du Temple
Home to Paris’s finest crepes, Breizh cafe uses top quality ingredients to create a range of highly original buckwheat savoury galettes.
Candelaria 52, Rue de Saintonge
Tacos, tostados and huevos rancheros are among the Mexican offerings at this busy eat-in, take out and cocktail bar in the Haut Marais.
75006
L’Avant Comptoir 9, Carrefour de l’Odéon
This little wine bar must be up there with my little Paris kitchen as one of Paris’s tiniest cooking establishments.
Le Comptoir 9, Carrefour de l’Odéon
Often hailed as the father of the bistronomique movement in Paris, Yves Camdeborde’s modern take on the bistrot makes the most of the nose-to-tail philosophy and at the weekend offers good bistrot fare at reasonable prices
75007
La Fontaine de Mars 129, Rue Saint-Dominique
This traditional Parisian bistrot is known for its hearty French fare.
75010
Le Verre Volé 67, Rue de Lancry
The perfect cave á manger, with natural wines and a short market menu, this fun wine bar is a Canal Saint Martin favourite.
Bob’s Juice Bar 15, Rue Lucien Sampaix
When I need a break from French food I like to pop by Bob’s for a juice and a healthy salad from Mark’s New York style eatery.
Youpi et Voilà 8, rue Vicq d’Azir
A colourful modern bistrot by self taught chef Patrice Gelbart.
Albion 80 rue Faubourg Poissionière
An expat team who met at Saint Germain’s Boissonerie recently opened this oenologically-orientated bistrot in a trendy part of town.
75011
Rino 46, Rue Trousseau
In this pocket-sized bistrot chef Giovanni Passerini offers a modern French menu with a strong Italian influence.
Septime 80, Rue de Charonne
One of my favourite places to eat in Paris for its colourful, artistically executed set menu.
Le Bistrot Paul Bert 18, Rue Paul Bert
Perhaps one of Paris’s worst kept secrets, this neighbourhood bistrot dishes up all the French classics in a quintessentially Parisian setting.
Aux Deux Amis 45, Rue Oberkampf
This quirky ex-Tabac attracts hipsters and locals alike who cram into the tiny space to swig natural wines and share plates of French ‘tapas’ in a fun and unpretentious setting.
Le Chateaubriand 129, Avenue Parmentier
A neo-bistrot with a cutting edge no choice 5 course dinner menu; Inaki Aizpitarte is hailed as one of Paris’ coolest chefs since Le Chateaubriand opened in 2008.
Le Dauphin 131, Avenue Parmentier
Inaki Aizpitarte’s trendy tapas bar designed by Rem Koolhaas opened to an enslaught of adoration from chefs and critics and offers an eclectic mix of high-end sharing plates.
Au Passage 1bis, passage de Saint-Sebastien
Part of the new breed of neo-bistrots offering natural wines, sharing plates featuring excellent ingredients and a laid-back atmosphere.
Le Grain de Riz 49, Rue Godefroy Cavaignac
This tiny Vietnamese restaurant serves genuine delicious Vietnamese food with a warm, friendly smile.
Chez Aline 85, Rue de la Roquette
Chez Aline is a fabulous little lunch place where Delphine Zalpetti (ex Le Verre Volé) cooks up fresh simple dishes. It is a great place to head for a mid-week lunch.
75012
La Gazzetta 29, Rue de Cotte
Petter Nilsson is one of Paris’s most celebrated chefs and his restaurant La Gazzetta offers an inventive market based menu at affordable prices.
75018
Le Bal Café 6, Impasse de la Défense
An Anglo-inspired eatery offering great coffee, an exemplary kedgeree and an ideal terrace for an aperitif.
75019
Le Baratin 3, rue Jouye-Rouve
Off a little sidestreet in Paris’s second Chinatown Belleville, you’ll find this restaurant serving simple, tasty French food and a great selection of wines.
Que du Bon 22, Rue Plateau
A casual neighbouhood bistrot with a daily changing market menu at great prices.
Shops
75001
Mora 13, Rue Montmartre
This store is a must for any budding chef. A little pricey, but all the products sold in the store are of great quality.
E.Dehillerin 20, Rue Coquillière
Head to E.Dehillerin for everything you might want in the way of kitchenware; difficult to leave without and armful of copper pans, patisserie moulds and random knick knacks.
75002
G.Detou 58, Rue Tiquetonne
A treasure trove of ingredients with everything you can imagine from foie gras to 10k bags of chocolate buttons.
75003
Mary’s Ice Cream 1, Rue Charles-François Dupuis
Gelato lovers are well-catered for at this authentic little Italian gelateria run by Mary Quarta. I go here for the freshest raspberry sorbet in town.
75006
Grom 81, Rue de Seine
The only French outpost for the Turin-born gelateria, Grom is one of the city’s best ice cream shops.
75007
Brasserie aux PTT 54, rue Cler
The charming oyster man from episode 5 sells his oysters from his stand opposite this bar.
Marie-Anne Cantin 12, Rue Champ de Mars
Fromage aficionado Marie-Anne Cantin is a renowned cheese seller and refiner.
75009
La Chambre des Confitures 9, rue des Martyrs
A gorgeous little boutique on a very foodie street, stocking a fabulous selection of extensive collection of jams, chutneys, confits and spreads for slathering on your baguette.
75011
La Cocotte 5, rue Paul Bert
A quirky little store selling cute aprons, tea towels and other cutesy kitchen items.
75019
Ma Cave en Ville 105, Rue de Belleville
Everyone needs a trusted wine seller, and this is mine! A great selection of wine featuring a number of hard-to-find organic and natural wines.
Cafés/Bars
75001
Le Télescope 5, rue Villedo
This brand spanking new cafe is part of the new wave of excellent coffee shops transforming the Parisian cafe scene.
O-Chateau 68, Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The brainchild of sommelier and social commentator Olivier Magny, O-Chateau is a classy wine bar.
75004
Le Caféothèque 52, Rue de l’Hôtel de ville
One of the key players in the transformation of Parisian coffee culture, Le Caféothèque serves exceptional coffee and sells beans to go.
75006
Da Rosa 62, Rue de Seine
Hand sliced iberico can be nibbled over a glass of wine and some Italian olives on this excellent terrace for people watching.
75007
Coutume Café 7, Rue de Babylone
Siphon coffee and Patisserie des Reves pastries are all on the menu at this chic little coffee shop with an Anglo-American feel.
75012
Le Baron Rouge 1, Rue Théophile Roussel
A bustling cheap and cheerful wine bar that is perfect for a post-Aligre market carafe of wine and a plate of shucked-to-order oysters.
75019
Café Cherie 44, Boulevard de la Villette
This is my local hangout, where I head for fresh mint tea during the day and chill out over a glass of wine in the evening.
Rosa Bonheur 2, allée de la Cascade
In the park Buttes Chaumont this bar-cum-cafe is a chilled out place with outdoor picnic benches.
Bakeries/Pâtisseries

75001
Angelina 226 Rue de Rivoli
So it is a little touristy, but this Parisian institution serves some of the thickest hot chocolate in town.
75003
Jacques Genin 133, rue de Turenne
Head to his salon de the for a degustation of his delicate chocolates or try one of his assembled-to-order millefeuilles, one of the best in town.
Popelini 29, Rue Debelleyme
Since Popelini opened its doors knowing where to go for the best choux in Paris is a no-brainer.
Pain de Sucre 14, rue Rambuteau
Part of the new breed of boutique patisserie in Paris, Pain de Sucre sells macarons and elaborate reinvented classic pastries.
75006
Pierre Hermé 72, Rue Bonaparte
Arguably one of Paris’s most important patissiers, Pierre Hermé is famous for reinventing the macaron with his quirky sweet and savoury pairings.
75007
Patisserie des Reves 93, Rue du Bac
Everything created by Philippe Conticini is so beautifully presented that it nearly looks like a jewel shop. Try Le Paris Brest.
75010
Du Pain et Des Idées 34, rue Yves Toudic
‘Le Pain des Amis’, a rustic sourdough with an epic smoky crust, is the brainchild of baker Christophe Vasseur, who supplies the city’s leading restaurants.
75011
Le Blé Sucré 7, Rue Antoine Vollon
At this neighbourhood boulangerie discover beautiful breads, exemplary cannelé, and a range of pretty patisserie.
75018
Boulangerie Gontran Cherrier 22, Rue Caulaincourt
Gontran Cherrier is not only charming but he bakes fantastically innovative bread, like his squidgy squid ink buns.
75019
Veronique Mauclerc 83, Rue de Crimee
This local boulangerie headed by Veronique Mauclerc offers a variety of breads studded with nuts and raisins as well as a good selection of organic breads.
Picnic spots
75004
Place des Vosges
When it comes to picturesque picnic spots, the perfectly symmetrical Place des Vosges offers a quiet getaway from the Marais crowds. Grad a world famous falafel wrap from the rue des Rosiers and enjoy by the fountains.
Ile Saint Louis
So it’s not always easy to get a spot here in the height of summer, but if you manage to you can while away the afternoon with views onto the Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame and the Seine.
75008
Champ de Mars
In the shadow of one of the city’s most iconic structures, join the hoards of other picnickers for an unbeatable view of the Eiffel Tower.
75010
Canal St Martin
When Spring finally arrives and the leaves are back on the trees, the Canal St Martin comes into its own with a fun crowd of drinkers spilling out from the bars onto the cobbled canal banks.
75019
Buttes-Chaumont
Not purely due to its proximity to my flat, but the Buttes Chaumont is one of my favourite picnic places in Paris. One of the few unmanicured parks in the city, this is one of the most charming parks to jog, picnic and play.
Markets
75003
Marche des Enfants Rouges 39, Rue de Bretagne
This enclosed market in the trendy haut Marais is said to be one of the oldest in Paris.
75012
Marche d’Aligre, Place Aligre
Open all week long except Mondays, the Marche d’Aligre is one of Paris’s most bustling markets.
75017
Batignolles
An organic market open on Saturdays.
75016
Marche Place du President Wilson
Head to this open air market on Wednesday or Saturday and you’ll find the famous Joel Thiebault and his beautiful heritage root vegetables grown just a few miles from Paris.
75019
Boulevard de la Villette
My local market which I hop down to on a Wednesday morning to stock up on delicious farm eggs and cheeses.

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Restaurants in Paris

Restaurant List (March 2012)
(The star rating is ours and ours alone and is only our opinion)


La Cordonnerie ✩✩✩✩
20 rue Saint-Roch (1st arr.)
Traditional french food

Cafẻ du Centre ✩✩
58 rue Montorgueil (2nd arr.)
Cafe/bistro fare

La Pointe Saint-Eustache ✩✩
1 rue Montorgueil (2nd arr.)
Great Service with a great people watching location in Les Halles

Aux Tonneaux des Halles ✩✩✩
28, rue Montorgueil (2nd arr.)
Traditional French bistro food, good menu

Restaurant L’epicerie ✩✩✩
30, rue Montorgueil (2nd arr.)
Traditional  French Food, good menu with changing plats

Café du Marche ✩✩
30 rue Cler (7th arr.)
Bistro food, very busy place on a busy market street

L’ AS du Fallafel ✩✩✩
34, rue des Rosier (4th arr.)
Paris’s most famous falafel joint, this restaurant is item number two on David Lebovitz’s list of 10 Insanely Delicious Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Paris—pretty high praise from a discerning Paris blogger. Lunch here is definitely an experience, not just because of the sandwich; it has the longest line, the most boisterous staff, and photos of Lenny Kravitz (apparently a loyal customer) on the walls.

Le Bistro de la B  ✩✩✩
9 rue de Bievre (5th arr.)
There are a huge number of restaurants crammed into small streets near Bd. St. Michel, but we wanted a more Parisian experience and found Bistro de la B. at 9 rue de Bievre a few blocks west of the touristy area. Only a block from the river, this small restaurant was delightful. The menu of 3 courses was reasonably priced and the service warm.

Le Paul Bert ✩✩
20 Rue Paul Bert, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France
(Just outside the city by the famous Marché a Puce)
If you’re wandering around the fleamarket at Clignancourt, this is the place to stop and have lunch or a snack. Attached to the Paul-Bert market building, this pub has existed as long as the fleamarket (and has since been renovated!). Traditional cooking with nice little dishes of stews served in pots, like chicken broth or rabbit with mustard sauce.  Fills quickly!

Le Relais de l’Entrecôte ✩✩✩
3 location in Paris (6, 8, & 9th arr.) We eaten in all 3 locations
Le Relais de l’Entrecote is a must dine in restaurant in Paris.  You start with their lovely Endive Salad followed by their famous Rib Steak cut thinly and served with the best fries you have ever had, next to La Cordonnerie, of course. The steak is serverd with the Entrecote’s secret sauce! If you like your steak well done, beware that you may not get your steak as well done as you like it. You can also choose from a great selection of deserts. No reservations so go to the restaurant.

Café du Metro ✩
67, rue du Rennes (6th Arr.)
Good location, avoid the pasta dishes they did not loo that good.

Al Taglio – Pizza  ✩✩
27, rue de Saintonge (3rd arr.)
I immediately knew I would like Al Taglio as soon as I walked in because I like sitting at high counters. Although there are tables overlooking the small square outdoors, there’s something about sitting on a high stool at a communal table that’s always been my very favorite way to eat. You buy the pizza by the kilo.

Le bon Pêcheur ✩✩
9 Rue des Pêcheurs (2nd arr.)
This is our new place  to go for moules and frites, better than Leon du Bruxelles and less expensive.

Victoria Station (Pizza/Italian) ✩✩✩
11 Boulevard Montmatre (2nd arr.)
Dining car, you are installed in small cabins train version “Wild Wild West”.
Imagine the caravan of James West!
Isolated as a light atmosphere, enjoy a barbecue honest, escalopes Milanese and pizzas to delicate perfume of charcoal, from their wood fired oven.
For cheese lovers of fine paste, jump on the “pizza with goat” (and only the goat!) With ham and fresh cream: it changes us pleasantly of the four traditional cheeses.  There pasta is good as well.

Posted in Bistros, Cafes, Brasseries, Paris 1st, Paris 2nd, Paris 6th, Paris 7th, Saint Ouen | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Winter Travel Tips

I think I have finally gotten it right for traveling in the winter with just one suitcase, and visiting the laundromat only every 10 days or more.

First, decide on a good dark color to form the basis of your wardrobe. I chose black. Navy blue, charcoal grey, brown are other great choices.

Second, pick out a comfortable pair of slacks for travel, pack only one more. I chose black jeans, material is heavier, more durable, and black does not look as casual as blue jeans. I added a black skirt, or you could add one more pair of slacks. Rotate wearing your slacks every day, leaving the ones you are not wearing hanging in the closet to air out.

Shoes, wear one pair, comfortable, easy on/easy off for airport security. Take only one other pair. This is in case you get caught in the rain you’ll be able to have dry feet the next day. Alternate your shoes every day. Make sure they are both comfortable walking shoes.

Tops! It is winter after all. Pack three turtlenecks, a short-sleeved t-shirt, a sweater. Hang these in your closet and rotate through them – wearing t-shirt, turtleneck, and sweater – on really cold, cold days. Wear the sweater when you need it under your coat, usually evenings.

Socks! One pair of leggings which can actually serve as long johns on cold days under your jeans or wear stylishly with your skirt for a dressier look. 5 pairs of other socks to rotate through twice before you have to do laundry. But, as for underwear, I like to take a dozen.

How do you keep the rotation of items you take with you in order? Here’s what I did….

Hang your shirts on the left facing left. Next hang your skirt, if you take one, or else hang your slacks. When you dress, remove the shirt on the left and the slacks on the left. When climb into your jammies after a day of sightseeing, hang the shirt to the right of your other shirts, and your slacks to the right of your other slacks. If you stick to this rule, you will never wear the same clothes on sequential day

 

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Home Sweet Home

Thursday morning, March 15th, dawned in Germany with a cover of dense fog. Immediately, I became concerned about whether any flights would take off. As the morning matured, the sun burned the fog off and a bright sunny day – no coats required – took the stage.  We headed down to the mezzanine level of the AFI for coffee and an egg croissant.

Show time for the flight back to BWI had been moved forward to 12:50, and, on a lark, we headed over to sign up for any space availability on the flight.  They did not have our paperwork in the computer – luckily we had a printed copy to give them – and we were approved to wait for a space available slot.
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Train Ride Through the Country

After squaring the apartment away and packing up a lunch for the train, we checked out of our Paris apartment. Mike had purchased a baguette from Maison Collet this morning, so he took left over rotisserie chicken, sliced tomato, and emmenthal cheese and cut the two ends into reasonable portion. We had two oranges left over, so we packed them for our trip.

We walked to the Turbigo-Sebastopol bus stop and hopped the 47 bus to Gare de l’Est. The very interesting thing about trains in France, except the Eurostar, of course, is that they never publicize the platform until about 15 minutes before the train is scheduled to leave.

TGV high-speed train from Paris to Kaiserslautern Germany

TGV

Deboarding Tip: When they make the announcement that your stop is coming up, get up and collect your belongings, and make your way to the door. Once the train doors open, other passengers will start getting on and you’ll never get off before the doors close!

The SNCF-TGV train moved rather quickly through the French countryside, but seemed to slow down considerably in Germany. We opened our sandwiches, ate an orange, and shared a bottle of water. The ride was smooth and we arrived at our station about 7 minutes late at 3:45 PM.

Our home for the night

Our home for the night

Bruce and Tom were kind enough to meet us at the station and drive us to Ramstein. They are staying nearby, but they were unable to get a reservation at the Air Force Inn. Mike had received an e-mail before we left the apartment, that our reservation for one night was confirmed. We checked into our room. Very nice.

We checked out the base exchange mall and food options at the food court. Check out time is 11:00 AM tomorrow and then the wait starts to catch a flight back to the US.

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Visit Sainte Chapelle On A Sunny Day

Ste-Chapelle's upper chapel on a sunny day

Mike woke early to send an e-mail about a room in Germany for tomorrow night. I pulled out the clothes I would wear today and traveling tomorrow and decided to try to pack everything else. I was sure I was going to have to expand my suitcase, but everything did fit without expanding – especially after I shed a few items.

The answer about the room – not now but check later.  By now it was approaching lunchtime, you know we do travel on our stomachs! We strolled down rue Montorgueil to find a table in the sun on the terrace to eat.  The one we tried yesterday was full, so we checked across the way at the Esplanade St Eustache and grabbed the last spot.

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