TravelswithCharie

Fish Ceviche At Marisco Progreso in Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, the food was as good as the images suggest here. My favorite was the fish ceviche followed closely by the empanadas de camaron (shrimp). These were the appetizers. I learned to put some ceviche on my tostada so that it was a dish by itself. I liked the crisp tostadas which come with saladitas (crackers) and are on every table. Empanadas de Camaron My own entrée of salmon a brasas (salmon grilled over hot charcoal) was average. But our friend Sergio's plate filled with steak arrachera was a winner from the looks of the remains . Steak Arrachera There were mariachi bands to entertain and where families were celebrating an important event, they were in great demand. After such a lunch, it was imperative to go for a walk. I totally overate. * * * View My Saved Places in a larger map Images by Charie

Only in Paris can one descend to the metro in style, under a jeweled canopy. One feels royally crowned. Only in Paris can one pick up coffee or boissons -to-go in a fuel efficient mini truck. Only in Paris can one step into a concept car that smells oh la la elegant. Even Louis XIV would find the gold doors befitting his Sun King image. Only in Paris can one find a beautiful reclining nude in a public park and it is by Aristide Maillol, no less. Share with me your "Only in Paris" discovery. Click the comments box below. * * * Photos by Charie

bibimbap The Rue des Petits Champs is off the Avenue de l'Opera in Paris. This street is lined with Japanese restaurants and an Oriental grocery store. The side streets reveal more Asian restaurants and on a rainy afternoon I discovered this Korean restaurant that serves bibimbap. What I like about this dish is that it is a healthy mix of rice and vegetables, similar to the one I was served. It may also be prepared with beef or chicken. For starters the waitress brought little bowls with kimchi, daikon, julienned carrots, and seasoned lotus roots. My bibimbap was served in a hot iron cast pot. The ingredients were layered with steamed rice at the bottom of the pot. The rice was slightly roasted from the hot pot which I am partial to because it is crunchy. Vegetables like zucchini, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, bok choy were added on top of the rice and an egg cooked sunny side up capped the dish. Strips of seaweed were sprinkled over the egg. I didn't add the goch

This first photo was taken from the bottom of the Champs Elysées. I stood on the center divide while waiting for the light to turn green to cross to the other side. The Arc is just a dot in the distance. Halfway up the Champs Elysées, I got a closer and better view of the Arc than the first take. At this juncture, the features of the Arc are visible to the eye. And the headlights from passing cars add an ethereal beauty to the scene. This last image was taken right in front of the Arc de Triomphe. It's a hairy experience with cars whizzing past in both directions. There's a narrow 3 feet margin of safety for the photographer to take a souvenir shot without stepping into no man's land. * * * Photos by Charie

About the Vélib (from vélo for bicycle and liberté) grey bicycles with fat tires and a handy basket. You can pick one up in most neighborhoods around the city center and it's free for the first 30 minutes but there is a subscription fee and you need a credit card to secure one of these bikes. Best to consult their website for detailed instructions and bike stations. http://www.velib.paris.fr * * * Paris 2009 by TravelswithCharie

On my way back to my hotel in Montparnasse, I passed by this Starbucks where coffee was in the sidelines while this band entertained to the delight of café goers as well as passersby. I had to stop and listen to the music. I live in a neighborhood full of Starbucks in California and none of them have ever had a band, let alone piped music. It was a surprise treat, free at that. * * * Photos by Charie

With the Sorbonne right in the center of the city, it is not uncommon for student demonstrations to take place. But this one is all about the French scientists who are demanding the government to stop its reforms in science and higher education which would affect how much time academics will spend on teaching versus research and will be at the discretion of university presidents rather than national rules (which is the current norm). Critical remarks by French President Sarkozy on the state of French Science only served to further alienate the scientists. * * * Photo by Charie