1. We ate here:

Le Meurice and Antoine and had champagne at the Krug bar at the hotel [Shangri-La](http://www.shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila/press-room/press-releases/le-bar-ciel-ouvert-by-krug/ ) which is where we stayed. But my favorite meal was at a little Brasserie over near the Mussee D'Orsay called Cocorico. We ate one big meal a day and the rest of the day walked it off.

2. What stood out the most was the Cathedral Sacre Couer in Monmarte. It was a beautiful walk to get there and the cathedral itself is stunning. When we entered they were just starting a mass. We sat and participated. (neither of us are catholic or even religious). A nun began to sing. It was like hearing the voice of an angel. It impacted me. I began to pray. No joke. I had a spiritual moment. Only minutes before, I was walking up the hills of Monmartre and my wife pointed out a woman that looked just like my recently deceased grandmother. It was all very romantic, other-worldly and unique.

We also visited the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Musee D'Orsay, and walked all over the city. We sat on the steps of the modern art museum and watched all the local skateboarders do tricks on the steps of that beautiful building. NEVER could you get away with this in the US.

3. English is a second language there. Never did I experience an issue communicating. The French people I interacted with were very kind, but to be fair most were service people; waiters, drivers, etc. We spent most of our time together.

I'll try and post photos when I can.

Onward!

Yes! They all refer to it as "Paris' middle finger." I didn't reach the article you shared, but our guide at the Eiffel Tower told us they had commissioned 14 of these buildings but after building the first people essentially rioted and demanded they never build another.

Interestingly, there was the same such fervor after the Eiffel Tower was built. A famous artist, whose name escapes me, said that he always took his lunch at the Eiffel Tower because it was the only place in the city where he didn't have to look at it. lol.

It's a remarkable city.

Be careful. I feel like we are at peak market. Also, congrats, buyin a home is exciting stuff.

My wife loves it. We watched all seasons in like 4 weeks. Excited for season 6. I think Hitler will make an appearance. Too bad we have to wait almost 2 years. Ah well, I have Star Wars to look forward to.

I was in Paris for 4 days. It changed me. I saw what life should be like. It should take 3 hours to have lunch. You should walk everywhere you go. You should only build buildings worth building. You should have the largest and most beautiful of those buildings dedicated to showcasing art.

The people have a leisurely way to them, while also having a definitive style. It’s remarkable. It’s a remarkably beautiful place. It’s the new gold standard for cities for me.

I’ll return.

I had a very romantic time with my wife. Anyone hat is married with kids will know how difficult this is unless you travel far far away :) it was wonderful. Great meals, long walks and long nights.

As an aside, has anyone watched the show Peaky Blinders? We loved it.

I was in Paris for 4 days. It changed me. I saw what life should be like. It should take 3 hours to have lunch. You should walk everywhere you go. You should only build buildings worth building. You should have the largest and most beautiful of those buildings dedicated to showcasing art.

The people have a leisurely way to them, while also having a definitive style. It’s remarkable. It’s a remarkably beautiful place. It’s the new gold standard for cities for me.

I’ll return.

Trump sure is buttering him up. Calling him a great man and a great American. He gave $1m to trumps election campaign. Bought is E.U. ambassadorship. I wonder if he’ll flip?

Reading this as I wait to go up the Eiffel Tower. Suddenly worried for my organs and not just from the drinking I’m about to do on Nuit Blanche, which is tonight. Though if anyone can steal my organs, it’s Audrey Tautou.

Damn, I missed it! Was it your credit card information?

I was with my wife throughout most of this process. I wasn't there in undergrad, but we were married when she applied to med school and I was there when she applied to residencies and matched at Duke. It's a long journey and a TON of work. When the rest of the world is celebrating, you're working. But it was worth it.

What's scary is the idea of going through it all, amassing all of that debt, losing all of that time and then the govt interjecting and sayin that physicians are paid too much and capping earnings or some such nonsense. I could see that happening.

Good luck on the journey. Let me know if you ever need a sounding board. But you are right, it will be worth it.