Il pleut. (it rains)

Il pleut but it hasn't hindered us much. Jenifer was smart enough to pack a small umbrella and there are enough awnings and covers to mostly keep us dry. Had a great time on our first bike ride and tomorrow we head on the train with a group to bicycle around Versaille, not your average rich neighbors spread we hear.

Today was a foodie day. Started out at a Paris street market near the Bastille. Amazing spread of goods, fish, cheeses, veggies, and even full chicken rotisseries that had small potatoes piled in the bottom area where the drippings landed. Not a diet food, perhaps. Jenifer had a crepe with Nutella spread.

Then we traveled by train and tram to La Regalard, a French restaurant, where the new French style was advanced. Bit out of the way so the chef could keep prices more moderate. A couple of Foodies from Flagstaff sat next to us. Food was very good and well served. Jenifer had a fancy chicken breast and a soufflé. I had a breast of pork and some rhubarb dessert. They started us with a duck pate and some




After returning to the hotel and watching news of a pending state strike of transit workers over an increase in retirement age from current 60, we again encountered rain as we toured around the incredible Opera Ganier. Incredible opulence. Finished up with a great meal at an 1886 restaurant, the bouillon style Le Chartier. Sat next to a German woman with her 14year old daughter visiting from Munich. We had a fine time. I had some Breton Cidre (cider like a beer) and shared white wine with our neighbors. I had choucrout (a sauerkraut dish) and sausages. Jenifer had poulet roti and a too strong Baba au Rhum dessert.




Several new food experiences to our life list now accomplished.
We'll need that biking around Versaille tomorrow.

In closing for today, whoever passed around the rumor that the French, " and, especially, the Parisians" are unfriendly/ unhelpful really need to quit that talk. To a person we have had many acts of helpful kindness show to us as we learn to navigate this new to us old culture. Truly nice folks.

-- Post From My iPad

Location:Paris