Shared Illusions

The plus is for beginning with a few anecdotes prior to day 1 abroad.

A surprising and fortuitous synchronicity occurred in Atlanta. I texted Ashley  (my niece) in the Atlanta area, “So close and yet so far. We’re at the airport. ” She wrote back that she was at the airport,  headed to Denver for work. We had time to meet for about 40 minutes!

On the airplane we learned that our seats had been changed. We were up against a bulkhead and it looked like we didn’t have a screen for watching movies. The attendant had no idea why that would have happened. “Maybe a plane change…) But that wasn’t the case. I said, “We shouldn’t have to pay the same as others if we don’t have a screen!” “Oh, but you do have one,” came the reply. “It’s folded down between the seats.” Sure enough. Felt a little silly. I got yo watch Anatomy of a Fall – highly recommended! Intelligent writing. Complex relationships. Enigmatic ending.

No line to speak of getting into the country.  Easy passage. Our apartment for 3 nights is roomy and in a good location. 19th arrondisment, right across the street from Parc des Buttes-Chaument, and right next to one of the 5 celebrated Poilane boulangerie!

So. I left my earbuds on the plane. Grrrr!!! As we were meandering around Paris yesterday, we’d stop in several of the many tiny shops selling such items. None had the kind I was looking for with the loop over the ears. I felt bad as the proprietors always looked so crestfallen when I didn’t purchase their wares. Tant pis.

So today we determined the need to find a place that would. Stopped in a tourist office for info on la Nuit des Musées (more tomorrow on this) and also asked about a store for ecouteurs (earbuds). A 15 minute walk to Boulanger (not to be confused with boulangerie) and I had a new set.

Seen throughout our wandering today:

And, finally, we did stop in some churches. I’ll only share from one, Notre Dame de Travail. It’s near a rail station and was built for those who worked there.

And that’s it. Oh, we were in bed and asleep by 8:30 last night and slept til 8am! Only got about 3 hours of sleep before our early flight to Atlanta. Today was a good day. Beaux rêves.