cigalechanta

This won't be my usual long report on a one post as my R Arthritis has acted up and along with my other disability makes me a one handed naughty typists.
We arrived in our apartment, dropped our luggage off after the tour and explanation of the workings in the apartment by the appointed contact, we explored our "hood"
bought the immediate things needed for breakfast at our Carrefour on our street..
We had a butcher and a cafe flanking the apartment building. At first, I didn't think I'd like the neighborhood after loving the 6th and the Marais, but love creeped in,..
Dick, Miki's SO went to market and bought oysters. He and I love them and never have enough. We freshened up and had a wonderful dinner at Petite Marguery, wonderful food and atmosphere (wish I had a lover).

TDudette

Sorry about your RA and hope it didn't afffect your travel too much. Where did you stay?

cigalechanta

First on my fashion report.
Young and older woman were predominantly
wearing in skinny jeans and boots.
The first few days were cold and raw and I saw
both genders wearing shining black quilted jackets or coats
with and with out hoods. When the weather changed, the ballerina flats came out and the thigh lenght trench coats,
that I saw at very inexpensive prices in shops. There were
ALOT of younger women wearing (mostly denin) shorts with black
tights. Saw a few Bubble hemmed coats. What was strange as my
friend Nikki pointed out was how the French did not wear gloves, tho decked out in warm outerwear and scarves. I became obsessed and started looking atr hands. Only once, when Miki and I were on the Metro did I see a person wearing gloves and I'm sure he wasn't French. His extra long black cashmere scarve was not tied like a Frenchman and his broun tattersal coat was unique. All the shops were laced with floral clothing, dress, blouses, also bird, butterfly motifs.
Solids were Orange and Lemon yellow,jeans, handbags in all colors.

cigalechanta

Dudette we stayed in the 13th that borders on the 5th,
so ner got to China town or cite floral the Beatchick
suggested.

Judy

Hope more pleasures than perils!

cigalechanta

Friday: We stopped at Shakespeare & Co before visiting
the Crypt, then onto the Hotel de Ville for the Doinseau
(sP?) Photo exhibit. I like his photography but not this exhibit that was all about Les Halles and the butchered animals. My friend Nikki, loved it, C'est la difference.
BUT-happily for me, in another part of the Hotel de Ville,
due to popular demand, The Sempre exhibit was still on.
Those who don't know my favorite French cartoonist will
know his works on the New Yorkers covers.
Later on to the Musee Carnavalet and dinner that night
with Miki, Dick, Nikki at Pre Verre. Yes thin, we liked it

opaldog

Did you get a chance to get to Duc des Lombards?

cigalechanta

Miki and I love flea markets so we headed to
the Vannes and the L'ALgerie, I don't take notes
so My spelling was ok? We met up with Nikki
at the Barron Rouge, A great wine bar with exceptional
food on the light side and oysters shucked outside that
you buy to take to your table.Many were drinking outside by the oysters that reminded me so much of Liverpool and London
where I visited friends who took me to their "Locals"
where many were drinking outside the pubs.
We went to the wine tasting at Dernier Gutte. We bought
our favorite wine for oysters to take back to the apartment.
A Pic Poul that I discovered in Languedoc with my late husband
another oyster lover.

cigalechanta

opaldog, no we didn't because it didn't start til midnight, and far from our apartment and we needed to get up early, as a week was all we could afford

opaldog

Well, now you have a reason to go back, not that you need one. We are headed back in November and the apartment we are renting is only a few blocks away, so walking will be easy for us.

cigalechanta

We were now at the Canal St Martin and I wanted to go to the brunch jazz at the Viaduct Cafe that was 1-4
but We got there to find only a breakfast menu
at 25 euros so we left did the walk Promenade Plantee
and decided we would have lunch again at the Barron Rouge.
It was so crowded, we went next door where they also shucked oysters outdoors. The difference between the two-Next door is
that le charolais had better oysters (from Cancale)but the worst onion soup I ever Tasted, so bad Miki was sick the next day. But that night, Dick, Miki and I joined Nikki at at Opera Garnier for a night of Chamber music/Poulenc/Martinu.
Next day, Miki still under the weather, Dick, Niki and I had lunch at the Pied au Cochon where there is the best onion soup.
Later that night I met Nikki again but also Marcy_and her daughter Ellen at the Cafe Constant. An enjoyable meal but plain surroundings. Everywhere I have dined so far had no seared foie gras, everything was in a terrine.

cigalechanta

since I did not take notes, the days are out of order.
One year I was alone staying in the Maraisso I suggested
a favorite haunt there after the Hotel de Ville,
The Bistro La Tartine, noted for it's open sandwiches=tartines
I found the changes, the old staff gone and after a fire some
other things very different under new ownership. This was the oldest wine bar in Paris, a pity but, Nikki's salad was huge
and we enjoyed our lunch.

cigalechanta

This day we went to the Tuilleries, Le Grande Palais
and the Petite Palais. In The Petite Palais is a statue
of a woman wearing a beautiful gown that looks like a shiny lace, how the artist did that is amazing.
Tonight we dined in, oysters of cource included (thank you, Dick)

cigalechanta

My favorite day was Sunday, after the things we wanted to see we decided to do the the rally at the Pl de Bastille
Le Front de Gauche had a rally.
there were dozens of buses from ALL OVER
FRANCE.

cigalechanta

Most were younger people, but all French. Tents with the different organizations were set up. a platform where the
left candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon spoke, and his message is
Prenez le Pourvoir,People were holding flags that were sold,
I found later at 10 to 20 euros. I asked a man holding two where he got his and gave me his that now sits draped on a bannister that announces me as the young communist group.
Miki liked my flag but I didn't see any one with the SAME but did get another one for her.

cigalechanta

One day Miki and I went shopping,We went to Zaras that has better styles than here in Boston. I tried on a bird printed silk blouse and think my ring flew off. But-didn't realize that I lost an 18kt 40 yr old ring worth $2000 also lost my leather cashmere gloves the night with Marcy et al.
and my ADD really cashed in when Miki and I went to the Cite Pharmacy (thank you avalon)I bought my usual Voltaron. Intralgas and invested for a first time anti wrinkle creme
TRES CHER and lost that but don't know how. I took off all
the packaging to make things lighter

cigalechanta

One of those days, Miki and I went to the Cafe Flore,
Were Toupary and I had an enjoyable lunch a
few years ago
this time we sat out side and were seated at a round table
that had paper tabletops of my beloved sempre. I asked the
head waiter if I could have a fresh one to take home and he
was souvenier and he rolled one up with an elastic for me.
Mike returned and asked if she too, could have one, He was so great.She and I left delighted and shame on those who say they are nasty there,We saw alot of women over dressed, inflated lips that I doubt were from Paris.

cigalechanta

Our Last day: We went to Dayrolle, a favorite stop for me.
Sorry, thin, your bunny was lost in the fire but there's now
a beautiful sitting grey one. And now onto my next favorite stop, I'm an Armagnac lover as is abby's busband Tomas, so Tomas and I had the tastings while the women chatted.
Last dinner of the trip was at the Relais Saint-Germain wher our friends Abby and Tomas were staying.
Unfortunatley Miki and Dick were under the weather
so it was Abby, Tomas, Sandi (traviata) and her sweet husband Ed, Nikki and I A wonderful ending to too short a week.
Things I forgot to include-Bar du Central was the place after
Cafe Constant. The three blind mice=miki, mimi, dick stopped for a drink at Miki's favorite cafe,Le Depart Saint Michel

cigalechanta

I landed too late too pick up Pastis and tho tired I made the effort to pick him up in the morning. It's a long walk from the train(subway)to get him but I arrived, tired as I was by 9am and after filling out papers he was brought to me, doing his almost cartwheels on seeing me. He was so happy to be out of there, sniffing any tree and hi happy prancing almost makes me forget about Paris, Especially his first night home cuddling beside me.
P'S. We also stopped at the P.O. Musee where their boutique
sells an army green cross body shoulder bag in canvas
that poste written on the flap. Good for walking Pastis
with his plastic clean-up bags in this one.

cigalechanta

P.S If you have a Zara shop, anyone. When I went to
Dayrolle, I bought a large cigale for my collection.
The young salesperson was wearing a beautiful sheer
black insect printed blouse. Miki and I went to two
Zaras with no luck.