pentacost in paris

Well, a cold Sunday in Paris. I went to go to church this morning. Haven't been since the Easter gala and it's nice to sit in church when it's quiet and cloudy outside. I always think of grandma being there with me. Dragged myself out of bed at 8:15, made it to church by 8:55, but alas, the mass started at 8:30. So, here I am. I took a program and I see that there is a service at 18.30 with the children's choir. think I'll go to that one, since that is part of going to church at Notre Dame, the acoustics.

Yesterday I went walking around. It was a fine day with the sun peeking out of the clouds long enough to make it a little warm. It rained a little, but the trees have leaves on them now and they make good places to hide from the rain. I went along the Quai de la Magisserie (sp?) and saw all of the gardening shops, boquinistes and a view of the effiel tower. (I went this way to avoid the crowds on rue de rivoli. Masses of people, which we all know by now, is not my favorite thing.) Earlier in the day I thought I had had my pocket picked on boulevard de sebastopol in les halles..I can't stand it out there. like a kaleidescope of criminals...anyway...

Walked through the Louvre, a lot of people since it was Saturday, met Sergio there and we walked through the Palais Royale and those gardens. Found a fountain depicting the four major rivers in France; Saone, Loire, Seine, and the Gironde(?). It was a pretty fountain with a place around it, pretty flowers and old chestnut trees. I found it between the louvre and the bourse.

We happened upon St. Eustache looking for a cooking supply store. The store was closing when we found it, but it is well worth a return trip. It was just like when Harry Potter went in to buy his wand: there were shelves up to the high ceilings, dust, weird implements, poor lighting, a basement and a salesman with a big French nose, kind of stooped posture even. Many dark corners that need to be explored. It loks like the store has been there forever, or at least 200 or so years.

I became cranky because my feet hurt and I wanted some lemon ice cream. Alhors, we settled for magnum ice cream bars from Franprix and we sat in the park at Les Halles. By then, the sun had vanished. Watched a few games of boules, then I hobbled home on my tired feeties.

I think my favorite part of Paris, so far, is the area across the river from Ile St. Louis. My favorite mexican restaurant is there and there is a nice little park. It's nice and quiet. I think this is so because there aren't as many "points of interest" there. I'm getting excited for my visitors who will start to arrive soon. Looking in guide books and getting ready to make dinner reservations.

I'm going to do a spell check now. I keep finding embarrassing spelling errors after I read my posts : ( well, I don't have that option. I'll try proof reading before posting. Send sunshiny thoughts my way.

XOXOX, Dominique