Hard to believe we are back in Paris for almost a week and are just beginning to wake up! The jetlag has been brutal this time, probably due to our advanced ages and to the gloomy weather. Since arriving we’ve had one or two nice days — the rest have been cloudy, cool, windy and rainy (sounds like the Cape!). Our trip over was easy on Icelandair and getting to our apartment from Charles De Gaul was a breeze. Ever since Uber threatened the regular taxi business, getting a cab at the airport is easy. One waits on line and takes the next cab. There was no line this time – and the first cab there took us immediately. There is one fixed fare for addresses on the Right Bank, and one for the Left. The total fare was 62 euros which is really a good deal.

Our apartment was clean and waiting for us. The kitchen table was laden with fruits, bread, cookies, jelly and honey, and the refrigerator was stocked with water, butter, cheese and other goodies. What good neighbors we have! On Thursday I made my way to the market to buy fruits and vegetables, makings for a salad we would be taking upstairs for a dinner with our neighbor-friends. I didn’t have my iphone with me so I couldn’t take photos of the produce for sale. It was amazing. The Fall Harvest is in full swing. There were more varieties of squash, pumpkin, onions , mushrooms, apples, and potatoes than I imagined existed. I’ll try to get some photos next week. (We totally missed Saturday’s market having slept right through it).

Here’s a photos of what I brought home.

There isn’t anything unusual above, but all was so fresh and delicious — especially the figs and the broccoli which was the biggest, greenest head of broccoli I’ve seen in years.

George and I went for a walk later in the afternoon when it stopped raining. Here we are sitting on a bench where the market is set up (and now cleared with everything washed down).

Several crews descend on the area after the vendors dismantle their stalls and clear the side streets of their trucks. Below you can see one of the crews with their cute little washing machines. They are careful not to spray you too — but one must be aware of that possibility.

On past trips we have noticed a police detail right about where clean-up crew is above, but were sure as to why it was there. And today we discovered the very obvious reason. It is adjacent to the Ukrainian Embassy!! That white van with the lights on is the police unit.

Thursday we are taking dessert for a dinner party to which we are invited so I’m been eyeing the pastries in the local bakeries. Pretty yummy. I might just make a fruit tart — that is if I’m awake and brave. I would have bought something but there were 20 people on line – a line which stretched out the door and down the street. I didn’t want to take a photo. I’m not sure why so many people were on line here. We have three other bakeries within a three block radius.

While I was wandering around George was sitting it out on another bench! You can see him under the red canopy (part of the market which hasnt’ been dismantled yet. That lady with the cane is not me!)

Before I leave off for today I thought I’d add two close ups of that terrific head of broccoli (it was delicious!) and the figs/plums.

More to follow. Today is George’s 92nd birthday. We are headed to the restaurant Le George on top of the Pompidou Center. (That is if we wake up in time to get there for our 7:30 reservation!!)