The Eiffel Tower

A chilly 7 Centigrade, but sunny. I walk the left bank of the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. The sun is shining. Northern Europeans, thinking they have arrived in the southern tropics, frisk about in short-sleeved shirts, some women in gauzy skirts and a few men in shorts.Visitors queue already in long lines for tickets and access to the elevators. I buy my ticket to walk up and head up the stairs in less than five minutes.

I enjoy the view from all sides, identify landmarks and take photos. Then I sip a hot, fragrant capuccino as I sit in the sun and listen to the rise and fall of happy conversations in a multitude of languages.

A fine May day in Paris.

Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen

Today we took the metro to renowned Les Puces (Flea Market).

Fun--and we didn't get our pockets picked.

Cloudy, chilly weather.

G's Place, Paris

View 15ème Arrondissment, Paris in a larger map

Paris: Out and About

We took the metro to the 13th Arrondissement to visit the Asian quarter. We ate delectable duck and shrimp dishes, and then visited food stores and shops and watched people. We bought some dried bananas.

We walked on to the Place d'Italie where this man began his performance, sporting a t-shirt with the name "Papy Dance". G.thought that a street performer of his age really needed a tip.

Then we went to the Foire des Livres (Book Fair) which is held every Saturday and Sunday at Parc Georges Brassens. I didn't buy anything, although I really wanted an Asterix. There were beautiful, classic travel and history books with plates of photographs. We vicariously visited parts of North Africa, Asia and Polynesia. G. hoped to find something good on Australia.

A Stroll along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower

Geneviève and I ate a copious and delicious Algerian lamb couscous at Tipaza, a Berber restaurant on nearby Rue Saint Charles.

I planned to walk it off by taking the stairs up the Eiffel  Tower, but the lines were hours long because of the holiday. I will make the climb on Monday in the morning, when everything is quieter.

A view along the Seine. G's condo building is the

tower with dark windows, to the right of the red tower.

(Sorry, does not have an interesting  sound track.)

Paris: May 1st

Today is Labor Day and the country of France is closed. Yesterday we bought some produce and some fresh bread at the boulanger for today. Geneviève and I have been catching up on Tahiti news. Coconut Radio reaches as far as Paris.

Paris in the Springtime

Yes! Just need to shake the jet lag. It rained all last week in Paris, with highs in the 60s F, but for my arrival today the weather had changed to sunny skies and a mild 71 F.

P.S. I did not see any flu masks in the Austin airport, only 3 in Houston, and half a dozen at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. With the nonstop media coverqge, I expected to travel through a masked world.

Paris Bound

Today I fly to Paris. Geneviève's apartment is only a block from the Seine and two blocks from the Eiffel Tower.

I hope flu masks are not the latest Spring fashion in Paris.

Flying today should be interesting.

Rambling in France: May 2009

View Rambling in France - May 2009 in a larger map

Come ramble with me.

Paris Trade Fair - Coming Attraction

Watch here for yours truly at the Foire de Paris 2009.

Links:

http://www.foiredeparis.fr/

http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event/474/Paris-France/Paris-Trade-Fair-Foire-de-Paris.html