Simple things are a bit more complicated when you do not speak the language. I was proud to have gotten to a post office and mailed off a postcard for my aunt who doesn’t read blogs. I bought a lightbulb at a home improvement store and a baguette (standard) and some roses for my host’s grandmother who had invited us for lunch.
Saturday was family day. Not many tourists are invited to a multigenerational family lunch in Paris, but I am lucky to have a gracious host with an unbelievably charming family, most of whom speak English. They would have conversation in French and then translate for me. It was very entertaining. I enjoyed their customs of the patte aperitif, followed by a salad course, the main course and desert with leisurely conversation and wine, of course.
A short walk away is the oldest garden in Paris, originally planted for the king back in 1626. the Jardin De Plantes has a fabulous botanical garden. The sun was out today and there were many people relaxing on the lawns and children playing in the playground
Here’s a poisonous plant –
The Oldest Tree in Paris
Next stop was for tea at a Moroccan place – La Mosquee’ which used to be a Mosque. The tea was sweet but very good. The birds were flying free
It’s hard to imagine Paris before Christianity, but there are still Roman ruins in the city. Today people are playing boomerang, a bit of soccer (which also looked like volleyball with your head) and what looked to be Bocce. The Arenes de Lutece was once a Roman theaterand they still have movies and shows there today.
More Information on Arenes de Lutece
Dana Dahling - a beginner's blog 
Dana, don’t miss the Pere Lachaise cemetery, it was easy to get to via Metro. It may sound morbid, but it’s fascinating – so many historical figures buried there. Be sure to get a map of it first so you know where to go to find the burial sites, I got one from an info booth just inside the gate. There was a great little bakery right outside one of the gates too, good place to rest your tired feet 🙂
Thanks Tim! It is on the list and not far from the apartment – I still have 8 more days
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Just thought of something else – try to go to the Pantheon, it was something I stumbled across by accident and was fascinating. If it’s a nice day, wait for one of the groups that they take up the stairs to the viewing area on the dome. In the “basement” are the catacombs with more historial figures like Madame Curie & Louis Braille are buried. I think I spent 2 hours wandering in that place. OK one last thing…..if you read The Da Vinci Code, some of the churches described in the book are over towards the neighborhood where Napoleons tomb is. It was fun wandering through them and seeing the places I had read about. Suddenly feeling very **jealous** 🙂
Thanks for the tips! Rick Steeve’s has also made these recommendations. I did read the Da Vinci code – plan to go to St. Sulpice on Thursday for an organ concert. Not so sure about the catacombs though
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