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

Jardin Des Plantes

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