LIVE THREAD: 2006 Torino Olympics - DAY 2

I only watch when the U.S. wins medals, so I won't be watching women's figure skating now (unless Sasha doesn't splat...) It's a pity how bad the U.S. women's figure skating has gotten, considering that it's usually a guaranteed medal for the U.S. (with 3 out of the last 4 golds).

OK, here are a few notes:
Your hotel appears to be very close to Hotel de Ville (city hall---beautiful).
It's a very short walk to ILE St. Louis and ILE de la CITE, my favorite part of Paris. Stroll over there for great views of the Siene, Notre Dame, lighted bridges, etc. Good restaurants abound there. Some nice little shops on the main street of St. Louis. There's a little crepe place on Ile St. Louis, Le Sarrasin et Le Froment Creperie. Nothing fancy, but good food, good prices. You might consider it for your late night arrival after Normandy. It's on the main street, near where the two islands intersect. There are also sidewalk cafes where you'd feel perfectly comfortable eating solo.

I'm not clear whether you and your son are having dinner before he leaves. If so, you can cross right at Notre Dame on Pont de l'Archeveche to the left bank. A block or so to your right along the river, you will find Rue Maitre Albert. In that tiny street is L'Atelier Maitre Albert, Guy Savoy's latest restaurant praised for it's rotisserie offerings of grilled meats and poultry--and his special potatoes. I haven't eaten there, but hear it's great and we love the neighborhood. (BTW, in Paris service is included in your bill...you don't have to tip. We usually leave a little change, but no more than 2 or 3 euros.)

May I make a suggestion about the Louvre? It's soooo big. It takes a good while to learn your way around (if ever) and can be quite overwhelming in large doses. We like to take "small bites" and visit several different times during a trip. Have you considered Musee d'Orsay? Gorgeous, gorgeous old beaux artes train station, converted to contain the treasures of the Impressionist era. Monet, Renoir, Lautrec, Degas...you'll find them all. We thoroughly enjoy spending half a day there. There's a very good cafe on the upper floor with great views over the city. (In the Louvre, Cafe Marly is good).

Paris offers many concerts at night in beautiful churches. Here's one site listing events in April: http://www.ampconcerts.com/concerts/index.php?month=Avril&year=2006
You might also check out "Illuminated Tours", nightime bus tour of the beautiful lighted monuments you may not see otherwise. If you're up to it, there's a Seine boat ride that leaves from right at the tip of ILE de la Cite...Vedettes du Pont Neuf. It might be fun one night to pick up some delicacy at a patisserie and a bottle of wine and take the boat tour right after sunset---timed to catch the Eiffel Tower's light show at the top of the hour. Whether you take the boat or not, don't miss the ET lights. You don't have to go to the tower. You can get great views from around Place de la Concorde and, especially, that beautiful bridge, Pont Alexander III.

One more note and I promise to quit. To see the Paris that Baron Haussman designed, stroll around the Opera Garnier area. Wide boulevards, symetrical architecture, bronze roofs...this is "modern" Paris. The Opera house itself is well worth a visit, just check whether rehearsals are going on....you can't get into the theater then.

OK, that's it. Don't worry about the Parisiens. They don't bite... they don't even look down their noses at you. When entering a shop or restaurant, greet them with a "bonjour" or "bon soir". When leaving say "Merci" and "Au revoir". That's all it takes. Beyond that, most of them speak english. You can also usually ask for an english menu. Waiters are very professional and will help you with a selection.

One more: near your hotel, right across from Hotel de Ville is the dept. store BHV. An eclectic mix of merchandise, but they seem to have everything in the world.

Just now watched Michelles' interview. I'm happy that she didn't wait til the last minute to do this....like I was afraid she would. She had a good run and I wish her the best....now....GO USA!

That's sad, babe. Great (former) champion

I have had my granddaugters until an hour ago...sooooo, the ONLY thing of the Olympics that I have gotten to see, was at 1:30 this morning, I was watching Women's MOGULS!!!

AND, the USA contestant that was SUPPOSED to win...didn't even make it to the finals....sigh.

Oh, and I saw on CNBC that the USA hockey team was beating Denmark, 4-0 in the 3rd...!!!

My knees still hurt after watching the moguls....

I'm soooooo bummed! I went to read about Michelle dropping out...and there in HUGE letters were the results for what we get today and tonight!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So, the drama and anticipation is ruined for me...but I'm still watching! LOL

US women hockey team is killing the competition....and I never knew the women had hockey teams! Where have I been?? LOL