And so to the strike!

Tuesday, 7 September, 2010

Bonjour!

Two notes first: I realize that I made quite a mess out of the Italian for Good Day; hmmm…hopefully will get better by the time we get to Rome! Second: Dinner last night – our first in the flat – was, of course and as always, beef tips over rice, known the world over as BTOR. So…to start today…

Up around 7, and R down for croissants about 7:30, when the boulangerie opens. I don’t think I could ever get tired of croissants and raspberry jam…but give me time! Very cool and overcast day; a bit breezy.

We had no idea what to expect about Paris because of today’s general strike. However, we did know that the RER B line, the one closest to the flat, was entirely shut down for the day. Still wondering how people got to the airport, as that is by far the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way…oh well! – and that takes in both Charles de Gaulle AND Orly!

Decided to head to the Rodin Museum, where we haven’t been in years. Caught an 82 bus right in front of the Luxembourg Gardens and were whisked away with no problem to Blvd. des Invalides (Napoleon’s burial spot). Got off the bus there and walked the two or three blocks to the museum, arriving about 10:15 a.m. It’s a good thing that we did, because by the time we left – 12:30 or so, there was a LINE outside and inside was getting packed with tour groups! (Note to selves: Next time in Paris, for sure will be in the spring or the fall; September WAY too close to tourist season!) We got the audio guides to help us walk through the collection, and it was superb – as was the collection! There are thousands of drawings, paintings and sculptures that Rodin left to the State when he died, and only a small portion is on display at any one time, scattered throughout the chateau and gardens. Really, really enjoyed Le Penseur (the Thinker) as well as the Burghers of Calais among other pieces.

Decided from the Museum to try to head over to the Marais district – St. Paul specifically, as R was looking for a book and we thought we’d try the “Red Wheelbarrow” book shop. On the same street, just a few doors down is “Thanksgiving” a small shop carrying “American” foodstuffs for the ex-pat community. Walked to a bus stop, but the next bus was over half-hour away (they are only running a fraction of the normal buses today because of the strike) so we decided to try the Metro instead. This got us as far as Chatelet, where apparently there was an accident on the lines, so the train stopped and everybody out! We caught a sandwich at a local place, then headed to the quai by the river to try and catch a bus to St. Paul…however, because of the strike and because of the accident on the line, they were diverting the buses to the central part of town ONLY; no buses heading out as far as Bastille!! So, we walked…stopped at 13 a Manger to look around, then to Rue St. Paul for bookstore and foodstore.

Thanksgiving is cute; very small and PACKED with food…we saw B&M Baked Beans, “real” maple syrup, Grandma Moses Molasses, Pop Tarts; even Goldfish! However, no Cheezits, so we came away with nothing! We also didn’t find R’s book at the bookshop, so all in all, not a very successful trip, AND we had to walk! Really difficult to get back, so opted for once to take a taxi – what a relief to be delivered actually to our door! We did have to stop at a local shop to find a SERVING spoon, which the apartment is without! Amazing! (Note: Also discovered flat without a can opener when we needed a can opened! Another run to the local hardware store!)

R into his book and a nap, and I thought I’d take a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens. They have ALWAYS been my favorite Paris gardens, and it was wonderful to be able to walk through them on a glorious late summer afternoon!!

The Luxembourg has many things for many people. Many people come to just sit and rest or read or picnic. Others run or jog through the park. There are petanique courts (a form of lawn bowling practiced by older men) as well as areas where people play chess and checkers – WITH an audience! There are sandboxes for little children, a huge round pond on which to sail boats – a little something for everyone! Additionally, they have one of the two other Statues of Liberty that were made for the United States, and I always like to see how she’s doing! So – took some pictures, then back to the flat.

Dinner tonight will be pork chops cooked with onions and wine, eggplant ravioli and pesto – and tiny little wonderful French strawberries for dessert! YUM!

So – that’s probably it for today! More tomorrow!
Much love,
m
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