We really are moving into Spring 3-16-15

Today we went down and had lunch at Angelina, reputed to be the best hot chocolate in Paris and I believe it.   I had a nice salad with foie gras while Deb had a delectable mushroom quiche, but for desert I had Chocolate chaud (hot chocolate) and it was over the top good.  Afterward we walked across rue de Rivoli into the Tuilleries and sat for perhaps half an hour in the sun.  It was interesting to see a promotional photo shoot taking place wherein they had covered a large stretch of gravel with a white carpet and covered several chairs in a coating of false snow.  They then had a few models dressed up in complete winter gear to model clothing I presume.  I asked myself, why now?  Why not several weeks back when there was likely to be snow on the ground?  Ah well, it's Paris.


I've been taking pictures of people who are working in Paris, artists, restaurant workers, tour guides etc.  I think they are interesting and they really add to the pastiche that is Paris.  I'll post some on Facebook in an album sometime in the near future.   Anyway a very interesting group today were dog walkers, two guys with maybe 12-15 dogs, but the best one of all was a German Shepard whose task was keeping the leash for a beagle, he carried it in his mouth and whenever the entourage stopped he would drop it and stand on it with a foot then pick it back up when walking resumed. They are the two on the very left in the picture.  Among them also was an Aussie Shepard looking dog, on the right, who was off leash altogether but he knew his role and kept up with the group, sitting when required and walking along side when all were in motion.  I'm sure his role was rounding up miscreants who got off leash or started running away.

We ended up at the Louvre to see the 18th century rooms that have been renovated. But as we passed the room with La Joconda (Mona Lisa) I made a quick stop since it was relatively uncrowded.  The usual selfie takers were in evidence.  The restoration of not long ago really brings her back to her colorful glory.