22-Oct 2008 Paris Blog #21

Monday 19-Oct 2008 Paris
Weather Rainy and Cold
Euro at $1.28!

Amazing, the Euro is dropping fast against other currencies, especially the USD.... I never thought that would happen.

My days are ticking away fast now, I am leaving this Saturday.
I am excited about the following things:
1) Big fluffy American towels
2) A washing machine that don't take 3 hours for a cycle, oh yeah, a DRYER!
3) Not being run down by little old ladies on the sidewalk who pretend they do not see you

I will miss the following:
1) Actual customer service in shops
2) Cheese shops who age their own cheeses
3) Sipping coffee from a real cup and not an RV sized paper cup with a plastic lid
4) The sound of French sirens, music....
5) Etc, etc....

I do not have pictures today. Yesterday I had a quiet laundry day. The rain came down hard. I did step out to the bank and ended up visiting the museum near my house, Musee Jean Moulin. It is in the gardens at the train station next to the house. It is all about the war and the French underground, very moving. I ended up having dinner at the Landlord's house with his wife and my friend Stephan. All 3 are leaving soon on trips so it was my goodbye dinner. Jean Pierre is quite the cook, we had (all organic - bio) steamed cod and salmon, real ratatouille, and quinoa. All served with Bio wines. Very nice.

Today I am going to do another museum as it is raining.

OK, only 2 links this time....

1) The apartment is available, while it is not over the top it is comfortable and it is in a great area for visitors and really inexpensive.. Here is the link: http://www.vrbo.com/209147

2) Stephan is an artist and making his living selling his work. He uses the cobblestones from the streets (he does not take them illegally!) I think they would make a great "true Parisian gift" for any friends back home, he speaks English and he will ship to you! http://jaspert.free.fr/

OK... more soon....