I had an amazing day in Paris Tuesday. Although I can't say that any of the days that I have been here has been a disappointment, today was really sweet. After my class this morning, I ran some errands grocery shopping in the market nearby to my apartment. My friend Myra is coming to visit at week's end so I needed to make sure I had some fresh cheese and of course Champagne ready! Afterwards, Jai and I got ready to talk a walk to the Bastille area and then to Bercy. On our way, we ran into Shirley, a woman from Australia, who lives here part-time and lives in Perth the rest of the time. She is in my french class as well. We ran into each other as she was on her way to Place de Voges and I on my way to the Bastille and we started talking (en anglais, of course). Since we kept talking, we decided we should have a coffee (translation - glass of wine) in the early afternoon before we each went on our way. I love living in a place where a lunchtime glass of wine is not frowned upon!
She is leaving Paris on the 6th of July, but we realized we both wanted to visit Versailles so we may go together next week, and that we both enjoy good food, so may check out a good restaurant before she leaves as well. Serendipity for me! While I do not mind at all dining alone, I find that it is not the usual thing in Paris to dine alone at fine restaurants, so its nice to have someone to drag along with me.
After leaving Shirley, Jai and walked to the Bastille area and walked down what is called the Viaduc des Arts. It is an entire street where artisans practice there trades - you can see people creating jackets on small looms, watch someone fix a guitar, buy some beautiful jewelry, or furniture. We then veered off to Bercy Park - it is a park along the Seine in an area of town that is more modern than where I live - but still very pretty. Bercy itself used to be a separate town famous for wine trading. Now it has a great park where dogs are permitted on the grass and permitted to run without leashes!!! Jai had a ball!
Along the Seine I saw the most awesome use of a barge type of boat - the boat itself was a pool - the bottom floor was the pool and the top portion was for sun bathing - it was like the top two floor of a cruise ship. It seems like such a great idea for a place like Baltimore or Washington - frankly anywhere that has a Harbor/River - during the warm months you can get a membership at a pool, maybe with a bar, and the rest of the year, the ship is docked.
Anyway, Jai and I finally made our way home before I went to this cute little restaurant in the Marais called the Tete Ailleurs. Dimmed lights, fabulous food and some jazz playing the background. I loved the food and the people were so nice. I chatted with the hostess a bit and got to practice my french.
A simple but sweet day in Paris
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