(Note — today’s photos were taken with an old iphone and are not the best. )
We arrived this morning, after a rather good trip from Boston, nonstop on Norwegian Air Shuttle. We liked the aircraft and were quite comfortable. Norwegian Air is one of the newer lines offering a paired down experience, while giving considerable comfort. We travel ‘Premium’ — not quite business, and not tourist. We had nice wide seats with lots of room between rows. The seats go back quite a bit — but the leg part only comes u about 30% — a little higher would have made us more comfortable. They didn’t hand out a toiletry kit, and there were no pillows on hand, though we did have a nice blanket. Our meal was served in a rather nice long box — no frills! We had dinner and an hour before landing, a breakfast box was handed out.
The best part was that we took off and arrived on time. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing — and again, staff was pleasant, accommodating, but no frills.
Only two hours of sleep made for two weary travelers upon arrival. In a cab (55 euros set price– it was 35 last time!)
Yellow Vest disruptions are on Saturdays and usually in the center of the city – right on our route. No yellow vests to be seen but police and military were out and ready. The road was blocked approaching the Arch de Triumph. Our taxi was stopped…. the driver got out after rolling down the back window. A very tall, handsome policeman popped his head in and asked for our identify papers. We don’t usually carry our passports with us, but since we had just arrived we had them. He took them and after a quick glance returned them and said everything was OK. Then, as a second thought he turned back and wished us a good holiday. All done with big smiles.
The last time we’d been stopped to show identity, was in Nagorno=Karabagh (Artsakh) before the cease fire and even after the cease fire. It is a bad feeling though one understands the need for it. One feels vulnerable and lots of images are conjured up of other people, other times, and other outcomes.
Saturday is market day but we didn’t get there. Instead after a quick look around the apartment, and some unpacking we headed up to our neighbors where a lovely lunch was waiting for us — lots of delicious goodies, easy eating, filling. Dessert? Pain Perdu! (lost bread literally, a name given to stale bread). Well I don’t think this bread was stale, but rather a wonderful brioche. Roland had prepared it as one would ‘french toast’ and we each topped our portion with raspberry jam, raspberries and strawberries. What a way to end our first lunch.
Back downstairs — we unpacked and did everything we could to stay up a bit. (I should add that part of closing up the apartment when we leave each time is to wash the sheets and make the bed so that when we return it is clean and comfy. We cover the bed, too, so that it stays clean. So, as per our routine, we climbed into a our bed — clean and fresh and slept until noon today!
Just after we were stopped for our ID papers– a familiar view crossing the Seine.
April 7
The task for today — go to L’Orient market, a Middle Eastern shop in the 15th, about 1 mile from us, two train stops. We headed out and at the corner met Patrick, an American neighbor who moved out from our building about 6 years ago. He and his wife oneeded a larger apartment for their growing family. We hadn’t seen him for several years– but he recognized and called out to us. All three of their kids came by too. The two boys were headed to the community center on our street. For 1 euro they will play there with friends all afternoon — sports and other games.
We headed out down to Avenue Emile Zola where the market is. On the way we stopped at the BMW showroom to look at the bicycles in the window — wow — over 4,000 euros (about $5000) for this hybrid. I’m not sure. I think these are electric bikes.
There is a cheaper sports model, for 1,200 euros. Very nice.
next to BMW is a puzzle making shop. That’ a wood cutting machine in the background. We’ll have to go back when it is open.
We reached the market, got the bread (very thin lavash, made by Armenians in Paris), and then headed to the back of the shop for lahmajun (Armenian meat pizza) and Su Borag, which similar to lasagna, but without meet and spiced differently.
While I was shopping George was looking around in the food cases and spied kibbee, (yes the lahmajun and kibbee are made with meat)… He wanted to get some and pointed them out to the man behind the counter. The man asked him in French,
“Chauffer? (Do you want these heated? ) “. George not understanding responded in Armenian, “chors …. four)” Just as I was about to tell George that the man doesn’t understand Armenian, the man did a double take, turned and asked in Armenian,”Are you Armenian?” (Remember this is not an Armenian grocery.)
Well — if we didn’t all have a good laugh. The man couldn’t get over it. I explained that George doesn’t understand French, etc….. the man was laughing. In Armenian he repeated, “I asked him if he wants these heated and he answers ‘four’ “. And we are all laughing even harder. With that we had a nice conversation. His name is Toros, he is from Lebanon, living in France for 30 years. We were still laughing when we left the store.
We were going to take the metro back (#10 right to our apartment) but George discovered our bus #70 stops here.
So that’s what we did. Walking to our apartment we saw these wonderful title gardens planted around trees, sponsored by the city of Paris. One has to obtain a permit to do the planting.
Now, home to rest before dinner at Vin et Marée. (Sorry for the blurry photos)
pianomd 
Lots done the first day or two. Resting and having fun! Enjoy. 💕
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks for the latest Paris visit. The photos were out of focus but still I enjoyed seeing them. Love the puzzle shop. Are they any different than the ones we have? I do my puzzle on the computer now and it is a bit awkward but still fun. Since I am not able to read this does help with keeping busy. It is still cold and cloudy. Can’t wait to sit in the sun. Take care – love to you both. H
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