Bob and Gayle's France Trip

The Selbys go to Market (and other misadventures)

Our apartment just happens to be a few blocks from the largest Open Aire Market in Paris... and they aren't kidding! We slept in this Sunday after staying out until 11:30 p.m. last night! (those who know Bob well, will be amazed!) I think I just might get him on the Parisian schedule, yet! Anyway we were out late because we decided we wanted to get a nutella crepe on the Rue Cler (all the way across town)and while we were there, we just HAD to walk over to la tour Eiffel! Just as we arrived beneath it, the glittery lights started up! It was "magnifique"!

Now, more about market day.... We arrived at the market only to discover that neither of us brought any money!!!! So, I volunteered to run back to the Apt. while Bob took pictures! (adventure #1) The market is incredible: there is a bit of almost any kind of food you can imagine, as well as household goods, toys, clothing, etc. Just as we entered, there was a man demonstrating some sort of "vegematic" (kind of like watching QVC, only in French). I can tell you that Bob wasn't as impressed as I with the HUGE pot of Paella at one of the booths. We stocked up on salad ingredients, olives, babaganoush, and were "chastised" by the man who sold us 6 clementines (I think he wanted us to buy more!).. C'est la vie!

On our way back to the apt., we stopped by our favorite boulangerie to buy a traditional baguette. Bob suggested I take a "short cut" (adventure #2) back to the apt.... well, if I didn't know he loved me so, I would have thought he was trying to get rid of me! I did exactly as he said and I became totally LOST! (without a map, without any euros, but only with my wits and meager French!) I ended up walking about a mile out of the way, but managed to find the larger street that our apt. is near, before I resorted to my French! To his credit, he went out looking for me and was gone when I returned! From now on, I don't take off without a map!

After market, we decided to go to the Tuilleries, our favorite park near the Louvre. Well, 1/2 of Paris was there as well and there was not a bench or chair to be found! We walked through and enjoyed the blooming tulips, people promenading through, and the children sailing their boats in the pond. Then we went over to the Palais Royal (another park mentioned in "Almost French"). THere were a FEW seats left and so many cute children playing their games (see pictures).

From there we made our way to the American Church for a classical concert. The chamber group played pieces by Vivaldi, Bach, and Mendolhsonn and it was soooo beautiful! The musicians appeared to be no older than 30 and sooo talented! The ovation went on so long, that they were pressed to play an encore, for which I don't think they were prepared (not sure since all was communicated in French-- at the AMERICAN church, no less). It was a wonderful conclusion to another perfect day.


Picture Set1

posted by Bob and Gayle @ 9:50 PM