i discovered a new chocolaterie/patisserie. it's the kind i pictured when i used to daydream about paris. and it's right here in reims! it has an all-glass store front filled with little gifts and chocolates wrapped in foil in all shapes and sizes. its marble floors and glass display cases gave it a nostalgic feel, like an old-fashioned soda shop.
my measure of bakery quality takes the form of a pain au chocolat. the ones here were ok-- i've tasted better at other bakeries-- but the place made up for it in twinkly style. yes, it was expensive-- 250 grams of chocolate costs about 13 euros, but it's all hand-made in the back and friends tell me it's the best in town. i know i'll go back when i'm needing a dark chocolate fix.
speaking of candy, there's a place here called gloops (like augustus gloop from "willy wonka"!) that's a lot like sweet factory in the usa. you buy your candy in bulk and pay by weight. i know that the candy is shit but it's new shit to me. they have chocolate colored marshmallows and all sorts of new gummy candy treats i'm happy to try. nevermind that it's difficult to find dental floss in france-- just don't tell my dentist. i now have a gloops frequent buyer card with 3 stamps. i have no idea what happens when i fill the card-- i'm assuming some free chocolate covered marshmallows will be coming my way.
there's a christmas market set up in the main square. each hut has different things for sale-- crafts, ceramics, waffles, mulled wine, churros, foie gras, candles, handbags. it's giving everything a festive feel.
enjoyed a cup of tea wtih B. at a tea house/creperie yesterday. it was lovely. i needed to get out of the house for a walk and it wasn't too cold out. i've been feeling sluggish after all the turkey.