Day 5 got off to a slow start. We slept in way past our usual wake-up time, which was likely much-needed. It rained almost all day, so we took our time getting dressed for lunch. Since it was convenient, we headed back to Café Fleurus for another meal.
From there, we took a 13-minute stroll to the Musée d’Art Moderne. We explored the permanent collection (which is free!) housed in a massive building on the banks of the Seine. It offered a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower and was truly a beautiful exhibition.
Productivity & Reflection
Back at the hotel, I finally had the chance to complete two blog posts I’ve been working on for weeks: one on Leadership and another on the 21-Day Meditation on Success. It felt great to cross those off the list in such an inspiring city.
The Final Dinner
We had our last Parisian dinner at L’Aventure, located next to the newly renovated hotel. The service and meal were perfect—a flawless way to end the trip. One thing I’ll never forget is the soundtracks in these restaurants; hearing everything from Marvin Gaye to Dionne Warwick made the city feel like a welcoming neighborhood.
Films set in Paris and Memories
I’m already missing Paris. It makes me think of all the classic films set here. One of my favorites is Paris Blues, starring Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Diahann Carroll. It’s a great romantic story about two jazz musicians who fall for tourists; in the end, the men stay in Paris while the women head home. The music is absolutely amazing.because it is a legendary Duke Ellington score.
Of course, my favorite is Casablanca. While the main story is set in Morocco, the heart of the film is the beautiful flashbacks to Paris before the war. It’s where we get my favorite line: “We’ll always have Paris.” It is the perfect reminder that even when you leave, those memories stay with you.
Final Thoughts
Roy and I don’t speak any French, but everyone was so kind. We smiled and said “Thank you” everywhere we went. People genuinely seemed to love hearing that we were from New Jersey. We even talked a little politics, but it was all in good spirits. I’m so grateful for the kindness we encountered.
By the Numbers
I refuse to feel guilty about the food! The meals were light, and our feet definitely did the work. Over the course of the trip, we walked:
• Total Steps: 68,877
• Total Distance: ~31 miles
Tomorrow we head back to EWR. So far, the flight is on time. Paris, it’s been a dream.
A Family Doctor's Reflection 
I loved reading every bit of your trip. Maybe travel writing is your next post-doc gig?
Judy, I loved your updates! You seemed to do a lot but also paid attention to what your bodies were telling you. I’d love to try some of the restaurants you mentioned on my next trip.