Reality check…back in the USA, making beds, cooking, doing washes. Being on vacation is so liberating. the only pressure is how to fill your days seeing everything you want to and must see and of course, where to dine and how much to buy!

We disembarked, caught up on work obligations and before passing out from jet lag, we headed to Central Park to walk off the sodium consumption from the airline food.

Charles de Gaulle airport needs a facelift. No restaurants after the security checkpoint and no duty free shopping. We were forced to eat the food on the plane.

French Fois Gras

I reluctantly want to discuss the average Americans waistline. Walking marathon distances in Paris, one observes many Parisiennes. They may not be an athletic group or devoted spinners, but they are slender and trim.

When you take note of what the average french person eats, it is a wonder…bread is tucked under a majority of armpits in France, cheese shops are on every rue, foie gras, wine, macarons (Laduree is represented in all the chic neighborhoods), french fries.

We did indulge in items not usually on our grocery list, but we walked kilometers, never ate in between and maintained our fabulous bodies…at least we did not add any kilos. Can you imagine if we had walked the distances we did and simultaneously gone on a french cleanse?!

When we arrived at the airport and settled in at the United Airlines gate, we knew we were on a flight to America. The majority of passengers were overweight.

There was a small food stand and not to be repetitive, but just about everyone bought cheese and meat sandwiches, pastries and soda at 7am and then waddled on to the plane. It was a bit disheartening.

What is America’s problem? Fast food, expensive produce? Living on both coasts, we are fortunate to have many fresh produce farmers markets, but there are no price deals. The take away is fresh, organic products. I did notice that french groceries and farmers markets have amazing fruits and vegetables at extremely affordable prices.

The lettuce is gorgeous and most salads are simply dressed with olive oil, fresh lemon and chopped shallots…no creamy salad dressings. Portions are smaller and snacking is not acceptable behavior. No accusations, just friendly observations.

As of late, the french have been transformed from snotty frogs to quite civilized folk. We were very impressed. I can get by with my command of the french language which makes us more acceptable, although I did ask for 2 adults and one dog ticket at the Louvre…oh well, Courtny is as cute as our dogs and sometimes she does bark at me.

Back home and I notice it is cocktail hour…I miss my glass of wine and Pastis, seated outside under the heat lamps at the neighborhood Tabac.

Time to plan the next vacation…