What we do in Europe

We're pretty secular at home, but when we're in Europe we always want to go to the Jewish area, maybe because the Holocaust seems so much closer here than at home. Unlike in some of the other cities we visited, parts of the Marais are still Jewish, though much of it is gay and trendy. I had a French bagel and we had great falafel (sign outside, "Lenny Kravitz loves it.").

There were plaques memorializing people who had lived in the houses and had been taken to concentration camps. It was very sad to think about, no matter how many delis and bakeries and mens' boutiques there were, and there was a Starbucks around the corner too.

Earlier in the day we went on a huge ferris wheel right at the end of the Champs Elysees. That was a cool view. Paris is just a series of great views from anywhere. You can always catch a glimpse of something great.

It's Christmas Day here. We shopped some last evening. I always find it kind of cute and pathetic when I see people scurrying around buying presents on Christmas Eve (though not as pathetic as the guy running out of Acme with a bunch of flowers at 2PM on Mothers Day). Here it seems just cute. Everyone is relaxed, kind of mellow and happy. This is a very Christian place and a very commercial place, but the way they treat the holiday is very low key. I also like the way they say to each other "bon fete." Good festival, or good feast literally. We did have a good dinner last night, and though we continue to work through the drama, it's a good holiday.