[2016 Mexico - Mexico City] The incredible Red Tree House

We're staying at the Red Tree House this trip. It looks like a private home, and I didn't find the red tree until after dark.

Four nights later, we booked our next trip with them too, because it was such an enjoyabl experience. I've traveled extensively and never really asked much for hotels, as long as it's clean, good location, it's good enough for me. The red tree is located in the high-end Condessa district, kind of like the West Loop in Chicago. There are tons of restaurants, the metro is close as well, though we didn't make use of it at all this time. What makes the Red Tree even more special is the staff. Everyone, including the owner, were super-friendly and seem genuinely interested in getting to know everyone staying at the hotel. It's like staying at your favorite Mexican uncle's home!

We start each day with fresh breakfast: churros, coffee, fresh fruits & juices, and made-to-order special Mexican dish. We've tried chilaquiles, quesadilla and enchiladas, all were delicious. Every afternoon a new container of juice awaits you on the kitchen counter. Every evening, there's happy hour where everyone seems to attend. Guests chat freely with one another, and the superior host, Greg, actually makes sure people from the same cities are introduced to each other! 

[2016 Mexico - Mexico City] Mexico city's cherry blossom season

Mexico City, or DF, is a city I've never considered visiting. All thanks to the US for portraying Mexico as this terrifying country where people constantly get kidnapped or killed. It did not help when Mr. Kimchi's brother said: "we're poor, don't expect us to pay ransom." when we spoke of our travel plans. Needless to say, I was less than enthusiastic when he suggested this as our next vacation spot, despite the fact that it was tripadvisor's No. 1 spot to visit for 2016. However, research before the trip warmed me up to the city, and I've always been fascinated by the colorful skulls, so I promised myself I'd bring one home this trip. Still, I had my reservations, so I ended up leaving my big camera at home. Please bear with my iPhone pic quality.





 We took an extra early flight. At first sight, I was intrigued by the purple trees interspersed between the regular looking green trees. Turns out, these purple trees are full of beautiful blossoms and are called Jacarandas. They're kinda like DF's cherry blossoms, and we were here at the perfect time of the year. Pretty as they may look, they are about as treacherous as banana peels, as I can personally attest, so walk carefully around them!

[2015 France-Paris]Market, Marais shopping & crepe

We started this morning with this amazing jar of chestnut yogurt. The French and I have one thing in common: our love for chestnuts. This was sweet almost like dessert, but delicious nonetheless (who doesn't like dessert?!). People weren't kidding when they gush about how awesome French yogurt tastes.

The Marche Monge is scheduled for today, so of course I gotta go check it out. On the way there, we passed some cute store signs. I remember in the Carnavalet museum there's an entire room's collection of these whimsical adorable items. Highly recommend it if you're ever in Paris.

[2015 France-Paris] Tasting menu @ AG

This morning Gaetan called a cab for us to get to the train station. The driver was clad in an all-black tight-fitting outfit like a spy in the movies. He even had a black moleskin notebook for all his appointments. Quite rare and a welcoming sight in this age of smartphones! Once we arrived at the train station, we waited nervously for the Rhonexpress. If they pull the same crap as we experienced on our trip into Lyon, we'd miss our flight! Thankfully, there was none of that and we got onto the plane with plenty of time to spare.

  

We stepped onto the RER blue line at CDG airport. It was a straight shot to our stop: Luxembourg. Lucky for us, we got onto the express train, so we shaved off 20 minutes of travel time. I remember from guidebooks and online forums before my last trip that the RER line is pickpocket heaven, but it didn't feel particularly dangerous. Maybe the situation improved over the past 10 years? Or maybe I'm just not alert enough... 

Upon exiting the Metro station, I felt like a country rat in a big city. The air was now filled with the stink of piss and we were surrounded by people hurrying to their destination, even the sky seemed less blue compared to Lyon. The confusing little streets around the station didn't help to lift my spirits. Imagine my dismay when I realized our new airbnb is on the THIRD FLOOR!!! I told Mr. Kimchi: if our luggages end up too heavy when we leave, I'm just gonna chuck it down the stairs!

[2015 France-Lyon] Chinese food in the gourmet capital of the world? You've gotta be kidding me!

This is our last day in Lyon, so we had to make good use of our time and do all the good stuff that's left on our agenda. We passed by Pains Des Jacobin on Saturday and noticed the long line out the door, so we vowed to return when it opens. Mr. Kimchi nicely offered to get breakfast there this morning...I think he got the afternoon's pastry quota filled too.

On the agenda for this morning is the Croix-Rousse region in the northern part of the peninsula. This is the stronghold of Lyon's silk industry, so naturally the silk worker's museum (Maison Des Canuts) is located here. Honestly, it's not much of museum as it is tiny, but at least it's free. There's also a silk weaving demo offered only in French.

[2015 France-Lyon] Sunday, market day

It's Sunday today. As the French are devout Catholics, most of the stores were closed. I remember reading about the Marche de Creation by the Saone river every Sunday morning, so hence started our morning. I've never been too comfortable taking picture of artwork, so the one above will have to suffice. It was a pleasant stroll, not super crowded, very low key, and some of the stalls had interesting artworks.

 This is one of Lyon's main attractions: the library mural. Lyon has converted various empty wall spaces into these spectacular works of art. I highly recommend seeking them out.

[2015 France-Lyon] Leg-breaking start in Lyon

Lyon, with its 490k population, is the third largest city in France, situated between Paris & Marseille. Ever since I saw Bourdain hunting with Lyon's famous chef Paul Bocuse, I've been dying to visit this gastronomy capital of the world.

Life was hectic before the trip, so I didn't think too clearly before booking round trip tickets to Paris first, then adding on round trip tickets between Paris & Lyon. This turned out to be a mistake in two ways:

1. The airports are very far out of the cities.
2. French airport security is slow/strict.
3. We had to pay crazy check luggage fees for the domestic flights.

Turns out the TGV train to Lyon also stops at CDG airport. I'll remember this for future reference!


 

First impression of Lyon airport: wow!