Quartier de la Défense, Paris

We visited A. and M. of Papara, Tahiti, who spend time every year in their Paris condo. A. fixed us a delicious ma'a tinito for lunch. A mini trip back to Polynesia.

Perambulating in Paris

Pontoise

Le jardin de Pontoise by Camille Pissarro

Today I visited cousins at Pontoise, just to the north of Paris. We had not seen each other for many years. It was a real pleasure. The RER train leaves two blocks from G's for a one hour ride each way.

About Pontoise.

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.