Walking, walking—keep on walking, keep on walking

For those of you who talked to Maridee about our Paris trip, you might have heard about our strategy for this trip. Since we already visited many of the favorite Parisian sights last time we were here (for five weeks), this time we were going to “take it easy”! Sit a while, go on a picnic, relax, breathe in the fresh air, people watch, and the like were all things we plan to do this time.

Today, we decided to visit the street market just around the block. There were stalls selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, fresh flowers, and the usual handful of stalls selling wallets. We walked from one end to the other, about half a mile. Then we walked all the way back. It’s all very interesting, with some of the exotic produce that we never see at the grocery store, and all the exotic meats like brains, whole roosters & chickens (including heads and feet), skinned rabbits, pigeons and many kinds of fish and seafood. Now we decided to make some purchases and so we walked about half the way down and back again.

So it’s back to the apartment to drop off our food and eat some breakfast. It’s kind of weird to think about going shopping before breakfast! Well we got a fresh baguette and a big slice of gooey, oozing, stinky, French Brie cheese and some different fruit. Breakfast!

So next it’s off to the Seine River. That’s a good people-watching spot. We ride the subway to our familiar stop and get off. Of course, it’s Saturday—there are thousands and thousands of people milling around. No good sitting places here, so we walk along the river towards Notre Dame; more thousands and thousands of people there. Well as long as we’re here, we might as well go in. Admission is free, so there’s a line about a hundred yards long, but it moves quickly, and we’re in! A quick walk around the interior (man that’s a big church!) and we’re out.

OK, it must be about time to eat again, so we walk just south of the river where there is a pedestrian street lined with food and restaurants. Oh, remember last time we were here, this is where we got the gyros that were so good. So it’s off to the Gyro shop for a gyro and a Diet Coke. We continue walking and we are nearly back to our old apartment from last time. So we do a “drive by”, stop at the grocery store for more supplies and head over to our favorite Patisserie and get our coconut flan pie. Boy, those are still good!

Well, from there, we know the way back home on the subway (the Metro) because it’s on the same line as the stop right by our old apartment. We’re home in a flash and now it’s siesta time!

Maridee wore a pedometer and it counted 10,200 steps. The nap was well deserved!

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