The Fondue Refuge

We found a really cool fondue restaurant in the heart of Montmartre called “Refuge des Fondue.” The entire place was about the size of a dorm room, and we had to climb over the tables to get to our seats. Once seated, we had several choices. The Cheese Fondue came with a pot of hot, melted cheese and endless bread for dipping. There was also a Meat Fondue, which involved a pot of boiling oil and some raw beef that could be cooked inside, along with some potatoes and a selection of sauces on the side. Naturally, we had all of the above.

Side Note:

I'm basically a pimp.

On top of all this, the entire meal came with unlimited red wine. The Catch: You had to drink it out of a baby bottle. And when you ran out, you had to cry “Wahhhhhhh!” to get them to refill it. It was weird/fun? Oh, what will these Frenchies think of next…

Sitting on the other side of the restaurant, (and by other side, I mean essentially in our laps,) were a group of students speaking several different languages, including English, French, German, and something that sounded like all three languages put together, but then spoken backwards. When we asked where they were from, they all had different answers. One girl, however, told me she was from Michigan. When I told her that I went to U of M, she started rattling off names of people asking if I knew them.

One after the other, she said a name that I didn’t recognize at all, until she said “Steve Pappas?”

Me: “Pappas?! Pappas is my hero!!!”

Turns out that this girl knew Pappas from high school or something and dated Pappas’ housemate. So I called Pappas on her phone and he seemed slightly confused to here my voice…from another friend’s phone number…from Paris. Small World.

Still, if you know Pappas, you probably aren’t surprised. He is a man among men, and his legacy extends beyond the limits of the state of Michigan, and he has touched lives across the globe. Pappas, I salute you. My hero.

Current Score:
France: 5, Paul: 3, Steve Pappas: 6894

Me and my hero.

Another old and, slightly bizzare, picture of me and Pappas