Hey Trippers,

I was perusing, in an amusing way, an interesting article on the CNN.com website.  The headline:

“Kissing, chewing – the ‘germiest’ tourist attractions”

The provocative headline made me smile.  I clicked on it and then all the unsanitary tourist attraction horrors I’ve seen came to mind.  They listed the top five (in their minds) as The Blarney Stone in Ireland, Market Theatre Gum Wall in Seattle, St. Marks’ Square in Venice, Italy, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, and Oscar Wilde’s Tomb in Paris.

I’ve been to three of them (Oscar Wilde’s Tomb, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and St. Mark’s Square) but I could think of dozens more that are just as creepy.  When given an opportunity to go to The Blarney Stone in Ireland.  I dismissed it in kind because I couldn’t imagine kissing something hundred’s of thousands of people have kissed, nuzzled, sneezed-on, or licked before me – let alone have someone hold on to me as I hang over backwards while doing it.

I’ve been to the Pike Place Market in Seattle where the Gum Wall is hundreds of times and I have never heard of the “Gum Wall” – not even once.  I’ll have seen it by week’s end just as a curiosity.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is truly one of the top 20 squares in the world and honestly, during all of my dozens of visits I CRINGED at tourists who sprinkle food on themselves, allow the pigeons to perch on them, peck at the food, leave behind their poop, all while flapping their feather mites all over the tourist.

At first, I was very impressed by Oscar Wilde’s Tomb because of the Egyptian motif, but secondly, I was not expecting it to be covered in lipstick kisses.  It was truly an oddity!  Good luck or not, I wasn’t going to attach my lips anywhere on the tomb (besides, I forgot my lipstick).

Back when I lived in LA, I would take family and friends on “The Tour” of which Grauman’s Chinese Theatre was always a stop.  As we all fit our hands on top of the star’s imprints, it never crossed our minds that there had been many before us who probably scratched a scabie or two first.

When in Munich last May, I watched with fascination, people from all walks of life, as they detoured (far away) from their daily activities to rub the Lions Statues at the entrance of The Residenz (Royal Palace).  At least, two dozens strokers in the 15 minutes I watched.

Then, there was the sculpture of Everard ’t Serclaes in Brussels’ Grand Place that was worn shiny from the stroking of multiple parts and all the statues and plaques on Prague’s Charles Bridge.

On my flight back from Montreal this month, the gentleman behind me coughed and hacked his way through the 4 ½ hour flight . . . . . no wonder how the Swine Flu finds its way around the world so quickly.  Just pack your hand sanitizer, a good immune system, and here’s hoping that all the traveling you’re doing is actually inoculating you against all the germs . . . .

Happy Tripping,

Carter

On my first exploration of Brussels, Belgium, I found it to be a terribly inconsistent city. Unfortunately, it still bore scars of WWII (surprisingly), and it was staid, boring, and uninspiring in it’s “Home of European Union” modern architecture. However, I first fell in love Art Nouveau there. l was disappointed and somewhat surprised at some of the run down slummy parts. The Grand Place almost made it all worth while. A spectacular collection of medieval buildings. Another revelation, it was the first spot I was exposed to the catholic religious superstition. There was a reclining bronze statue of Saint Michael, the patron saint of Brussels. Various spots on him were “worn shiny” from all the people lining up to touch each spot in sequence for good luck and blessings. After years of travels in Europe, that peculiar practice is now common to me. People rub, spin, stroke, religious icons all over the world.

The thing that made me crave Brussels was none of the above – it is and was chocolate. There in Brussels, my love affair and constant craving began. I was exposed to truly great chocolate there. The preparation, history, traditions, and varietals hooked me. Yes, I had Neuhaus, Godiva, and the like back home, but never truly appreciated them like I should have. Now, I treat it like I do fine wine. Hersheys Chocolate bars, M & M’s, Snickers, Twix, Kit Kat rarely ever cross my lips anymore – to this day! It tastes like chocolate chalk!

While in Brussels. I ate chocolate everyday, and every return trip, I filled a half of a suitcase with it. (By the way, it isn’t the best chocolate experience my taste buds have ever had. That was in Interlaken, Switzerland, and is for another posting.)
Every evening, at turn-down service, our hotel maid laid a piece of fine chocolate on my pillow and that would set me off again!!! Into my suitcase I went!

I returned to London and my love of chocolate was taken to another level when I stopped into a chocolate shop on Kings Road in Chelsea by the name of Rococco. The shop manager, an Italian beauty by the name of Rafaella, with whom I have a fantasy love affair with to this day, took me to another cloud. She tasted me on over 40 different varietals and flavors. I left the shop with more than a buzz! It was better than an orgasm (I can legally eat chocolate in public).

On my first trip to Paris, it was the first time I had ever been exposed to chocolate in a fashionable way. Of course! The French had to take something as simple as chocolate and finesse it into not only a sensual experience for the mouth, but alluring for the eyes.

The decor on the shop was a part of the experience. The colours, the fixtures, and displays could have been Yves St. Laurent. The boxes the chocolate were packaged in could have contained jewelry – and it wouldn’t have meant as much to me. The gift wrapping and carry bags looked like they contained something of extreme value. They did! The chocolate was €80.00 ($100.00) a kilogram. (Prices are higher now) I can’t think of too many better ways to spend as much money for as much satisfaction. (Maybe, I need to think it through . . . ) So, please join me on my little journey back in time. I’m not the only one with a passion for chocolate. Look at this line in front of Pierre Hermes Paris Chocolaterie in St-Germain-des-Pres . . .

This is a fabulous chocolate display at the famed Fauchon sweet Shop in Place de Madeleine. The only part that is not chocolate is the trays!

One evening, when I returned to my hotel room, this complimentary evening chocolate tray was in my room. At the top is a chocolate half egg shell filled with chocolate mousse.

This chocolate shop below was in the Marais – not too far from the Temple neighborhood. Now, get this, the strips of wallpaper in the back of the display – are made from white and dark chocolate!!!!

This chocolate shop located on Rue du Faubourg St Honoré (below) has chocolate available in a humidor with sterling silver serving tongs. Check out the solid chocolate slipper – and the packaging!

Below is the famed Michel Cluziel Chocolate shop on Rue du Faubourg St Honoré. His chocolate fountain was the first I’d ever seen. The presentation and molds they use are uniquely shaped and colorful. All this display is chocolate!

In the photo below, I appreciate the technical achievement of the trees and the shading on the Santa. Please send me the box of chocolates on the right!!! Pleeeeeese. The gold is wrapped around the Glazed
Chestnuts. “Marron Glace”

La Maison du Chocolate (several location throughout Paris) had this window display in the 8th arr. on 52 rue François 1er. I appreciate the eye catching colours and festive but simplicity of the display. Almost everything is on display is made of chocolate.

And finally, after the jump is a photo of a chocolate face. I’m sure you’ve seen a face good enough to eat?!?!?

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