[This post was written and originally published May 2005.]

We’ve spent months preparing for this. Finally here in France making the final preparations before our guests arrive. It’s so exciting. We’re feeling it! Met a food critic and writer on the flight over two days ago. Usually I try to show up in France ready to hammer–meaning I sleep on the flight over. I blame it on Henri for keeping me awake for 8 hours from DC to Paris. We chatted the whole way.

But if I blame him I also have to thank him. Andy and I invited Henri to dinner with us one eve and now it feels like he is our personal Paris consultant — commenting on hotels that we know and haven’t yet discovered, on restaurants, tea houses, the best shopping, salons — yes, Henri is tres chic. I feel like a collector of Paris secrets, wandering the cobbled alleys with a sack on my back and Henri just keeps loading it with stuff until it’s bulging and heavy. So glad to have a new friend… We can’t wait to share all of this with our July guests! Now on the train to Lyon, our gateway to my favorite region in France, the majestic Alps! Can’t wait to see my French Family, the Ludi’s who were so generous with Dude Girl last year and who are hosting our first day’s ride and lunch this year! We’ll update you on our wanderings from the Alps very soon! GiddyUp!

Favorite Moments in Paris:

• Dinner with Henri at Cafe Marly with view of the Louvre.
• Lunch at Musee Jacquesmart Andree. Beautiful salads, surrounded by colorful tapestries and sculptures with Andy and Henri.
• Despite Henri’s recommendation away from it, we had one of our best meals in Paris at a new all-night hotspot called Music Hall.
• French men dance around tables of women.