Last Thursday culminated our lovely 2 weeks in Paris. Robin and I couldn’t be more happier with the 2 groups we were blessed with. Myself, Robin, Dedie B and Valerie had a very hard to get dinner reservation at HALO. A very new hidden dining hotspot behind a boutique where Top Chef, 24 yr old Victor Blanchet is showing folks what he’s working with in his “open kitchen”. His résumé’ is longer than most 40 yr olds. An open kitchen shows diners how clean the kitchen is, allows the guests to admire the expertise of the Chef and review how well their meals are being prepared. I started with a cocktail named Trench Sour to go along with my signature white. It’s made with Adriattico Bianco, an almond milk liqueur that’s non-dairy, made from crushed white almonds. This was a perfect way to prepare my palate for my expertly prepared magret de canard. We all ordered differently and everything was simply divine. It was a great way for Robin and I to end 2 weeks in Paris. Now back to the drawing board to prepare for next year’s groups. Available tours: Dubai Sept 2024, Bali May 2025. Soon to be announced: Vietnam Sept 2025, Black Colombia March 2026. Thanks for joining us on this Stroll Through Black Paris.
In spite of the rain. I’m reminded of a day some 30 years ago en route to Paris in November with my mother (rip) My whiny self said, “Gee, it’s raining”. She responded, “Yes, Kathy but it’s Paris”.
Yesterday was shopping day with our shopping expert, Robin Bates. She accompanied them to Galeries Lafayette on our private bus and they shopped till their hearts content on their own. A shopper I’m not so I always find something else to do. I along with Shirley Dauger had lunch at Le Nouveau Paris – Neuilly-sur-Seine on the ile de la Jatte. Le Nouveau is an upbeat, old school bistro with a terrace with the friendliest waiters imaginable and of course the food is on point. I call Shirley a Concierge with a car service. Whatever you need she aims to please; airport, private shopping, tennis reservations, visits to the Champagne Region,etc. Those coming to Paris for the Olympics; she will be working and with the most reasonable rates I might add. Her website: mypearlsofparis.com
Last night was our dinner at the Senegalese restaurant, Villa Maasai which was followed by our signature Paris by night in stretch limos. The limos were 4 deep and always the perfect ending to a perfect week in Paris. Words cannot express the feeling I get watching them all drive away in tandem. Next year’s tour March/April is sold out with a waitlist but it looks like perhaps another tour may happen later on in the year.
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, on Champs Elysees that is. It was a lovely gathering of sisters as we chatted and reasoned with one another we enjoyed the exquisite cuisine of Laduree. A lover of their famous macarons I’m not at all but they threw down on what I like. I got my fill of foie gras, crab claws, jumbo shrimp and lobster tails. All washed down with flowing champagne, Kir Royales and topped off with my favorite lemon tart. It was a delightful way to spend the day in the company of Robin, Ricki, Dedie & Nicole.
It’s almost over and Robin & I can truly say it’s been a wonderful time. The Paris Fair has been a highlight and we understand that the sweet potato cake was to die for. The next group will have an opportunity to visit. The last day is the 12th. Our night at the French restaurant was a tasty treat. The veal was as tender as could be. Veal is the meat of a young calf versus beef from older cattle. The mashed potatoes served with it tasted like somebody’s grandma was whipping them up in the kitchen. A few made their way on the Speakeasy tour, visiting 3 speakeasys and tasting on their way. Our signature Paris by Night tour in 4 stretch limos was as always a hit after leaving our African restaurant. The group really had too much fun down to doing the wobble in front of Les Invalides, which is Napoleon’s tomb. No doubt they were shaking him up a bit. I might add, the group was quite impressed with the love the Parisians showed by shouting out, “We love you” as they passed by. Myron has been the sweetheart of the group. Now that brotha knows he can sho nuff dress. One of his pics would look good on the cover of GQ.
A week couldn’t go by without me paying a visit to Breakfast In America in The Latin Quarter. So Mell joined me on the pancake run. There’s nothing like some good ole pancakes, bacon & eggs. Tomorrow we say au revoir to this group and Bienvenue to the next.
Last week I flew from Savannah to NY to chill 1 night before my flight to Paris. I tell you, that nonstop on Air France was almost like being on the 3 hr Concorde flight. 6.5 hrs I was waking up in Paris. On the money side for Paris next Year, an Air France business class ticket from SFO is $4700 but from JFK $2700 and Premium Economy is $1699.
Landing at 630am along with Adrienne, a sista from St Louis, I found Paris to be as lovely as ever. Even though somewhat overcast, the sun broke through and it was a beautiful day. That night and for the next couple of days we’ve had showers off and on. The next day as the group arrived individually I remained posted up in the lobby to greet everyone. Some I knew, others were new to me but before long we were 1 big happy KATTRAX family. Myron Stokes brought joy from the Windy City and before long I was hearing the question from several ladies, “Where’s Myron”? Our host hotel of 16 years, situated in the chic 16th arrondissement, less than a 10 minute walk to the Seine River enabled folks to get a great view of the Eiffel Tower whenever they felt the need. Our private bus picked us up the first evening for our dinner at Babylone Bis, French West Indian restaurant who shows our group much love. Robbie Bell and I first visited in 1994, 30 years ago. Wow, the year Casey and Marshell were born. Dinner was as usual the best, no complaints. Some of the best tasting grilled chicken you’ll find in this city. Our next day, our private bus picked us up for Ricki Stevenson’s Black Paris Tour by bus. It was so good to see her and daughter Dedie again. Ricki did her orientation on the bus and immediately began imparting her wealth of knowledge on African Americans and people of color in this city. They stopped by the new Josephine Baker street signs and Dedie made sure to get the gold commemorative Josephine Baker coins for those that wanted one from the Pantheon where Josephine Baker has been inducted to along with other notables that have made it, like Alexander Dumas, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie.
Lunch was great at the cute little Le Chalet restaurant in Neuilly. Talk about French fries cooked to perfection, had folks ordering more. Gail Kelly Poole and husband Reginald Poole joined us for the day and he shared a poem he authored dedicated to black women. After lunch the group paid a visit to the Black Madonna and then onto Little Africa Village. A day with Ricki is always a highlight and a pure delight. The annual Foire de Paris is going on at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles until 5/12 and several in the group made their way there as well as going to the top of Lady Eiffel during their free time. I had to get my duck & escargot fix so solo I went to La Forge in the 5th for dinner one evening and enjoyed foie gras, fricassee’ escargot and duck leg and of course a Kir Royale. Saturday, arrangements were made for our tennis enthusiast couple from Griffin, Ga Dan & Bernadette Murphy to get some time in to play on a clay court in Montrouge, 4 km from the center of Paris. They are celebrating 55 years of marriage and quite a lovely couple. Today, Sunday was Cinco de Mayo and Ricki & Dedie joined me for tacos, guacamole and margaritas. It was a grand time for hanging out together. May 5, 1862 in a small town in east-central Mexico called Puebla 2,000 Mexican soldiers faced 6,000 French troops at daybreak and by evening unbelievably Mexico claimed the victory. That battle also played a role in the American Civil War. On another note, growing up in south central (well after east Oakland) the name Pueblo Del Rio Housing Projects come to mind.
I’ve only a few picks to share in this blog as my 2 photographers; Katrina Peoples and Kellea Woods aren’t on this tour. What’s new? We’ve got a room available on the May 2025 Bali tour. Vietnam 2025 details are coming soon. Next year marks the 25th year myself, Robin Bates and Ricki Stevenson have been collaborating. There is some discussion about a celebration that may include returning to Josephine Baker’s Chateau in southwestern France. Until next time…
Will be missed in Zanzibar however they have shown up and showed out showing us what Black Love is all about in Antarctica, Australia, Dubai, Ghana, Jamaica, Morocco, Marseille, Egypt, Maldive Islands, Paris, South Africa, The Red Sea Riviera, Vietnam and soon to come: Bali and Japan. Congrats to your togetherness ❤️❤️Enjoy the photo gallery! ❤️❤️
Do you know how difficult it can be to get some of our men to strike out and travel? Well I’m thrilled to say we’ve got 6 couples out of 30 travelers joining us on the Kenya/Zanzibar tour. Collectively they’ve got over 170 years of wedded bliss. Travis & Eddie Williams of Oakland are leading with 58 years. You’ll see Ms Eddie in one of the pictures (circa) 1963 sitting next to her man wearing her mohair sweater that still hangs in her closet. She was a fashionista then and remains to be one. Next with 39 years we’ve got Sidney & Felicia Watson of Portland. Others adding big digits are Phil & Katrina Peoples, Mike & Debb Simmons, Maurice & Janet L.Jones, and Phil & Angie Davis. Congrats! All the years they’ve spent together means so many thing to each of them but one thing that resonates with me is the fact that these couples have been the best role models for the younger generation, not just their offspring but nieces, nephews, cousins and their friends and associates. In Zanzibar, we’ll celebrate good times! I’m looking forward to it. Like the song says, “It’s very clear…Our love is here to stay. Not for a year but forever and a day…
KatTrax 