That's because it rains in Paris! Today is Jim's flight back to California so of course today it rained literally all day. Usually we're subject to waves of rain coming through but today it actually rained bigger drops all day long.
He's got an 11 hour flight in front of him, direct to Los Angeles from Paris (we wish Denver would work something like this out but alas). So his morning was spent packing while we kept out of his way. To get him a little loosened up before the flight we took a walk in Parc de la Villette to show him the "buried Bicycle" by Claes Von Oldenburg and then back to our local, Art et Science Reunis for lunch.
It was our first time back since they reopened after the August holidays and it was really full, perhaps because of the rain. They did get us seated, but at the less desirable table next to the toilets and kitchen which was the only table left. However the lunch was still to their high standards, Deb had a pork sausage redolent with what she thought was nutmeg and seemed a bit like anis to me, very tasty. Jim had a small steak while I had one of my favorites, duck breast. Both of ours were done to a juicy red finish and were delicious. After lunch we headed back to the apartment and read for a little while before heading out to the airport.
The trip to the airport was pretty easy with a quick trip on the metro and then an express out to Charles De Gaulle. A guy was trailing me kind of closely as I approached the entry gates into the train platform so I stopped and motioned him forward, he balked a bit and then went forward into one of the lanes. He fumbled around as if he were looking for his ticket so I went forward into the next lane and opened the gate with my pass and as soon as I got past the barrier I stopped because he had nipped around and tried to go through on my pass. I turned around and looked at him and then pushed him back a bit and let the gate close. He still got through with someone else and I don't really care.
I relate this because once we were on the train there were four conductors checking tickets. They busted three people who were travelling without tickets, in the first quarter of the car. It was interesting to listen to the conversations because the conductors were unfailingly polite but were adamant that either a fare would be paid, with penalty, or the person would be escorted off the train. The people would bluster and complain, but to no avail. I saw another person in the back half who got caught as well, so our car was fertile ground for cultivation if you get my drift.
We got Jim there in good time to catch his plane and headed back to the apartment. Due mainly to the rains and the rush hour time the trains were packed. But we got back in reasonable time and had a quiet evening. Jim has likely just arrived as I write this post, we're hoping that he had a great trip as we enjoyed his company greatly.
He's got an 11 hour flight in front of him, direct to Los Angeles from Paris (we wish Denver would work something like this out but alas). So his morning was spent packing while we kept out of his way. To get him a little loosened up before the flight we took a walk in Parc de la Villette to show him the "buried Bicycle" by Claes Von Oldenburg and then back to our local, Art et Science Reunis for lunch. 
It was our first time back since they reopened after the August holidays and it was really full, perhaps because of the rain. They did get us seated, but at the less desirable table next to the toilets and kitchen which was the only table left. However the lunch was still to their high standards, Deb had a pork sausage redolent with what she thought was nutmeg and seemed a bit like anis to me, very tasty. Jim had a small steak while I had one of my favorites, duck breast. Both of ours were done to a juicy red finish and were delicious. After lunch we headed back to the apartment and read for a little while before heading out to the airport. 
The trip to the airport was pretty easy with a quick trip on the metro and then an express out to Charles De Gaulle. A guy was trailing me kind of closely as I approached the entry gates into the train platform so I stopped and motioned him forward, he balked a bit and then went forward into one of the lanes. He fumbled around as if he were looking for his ticket so I went forward into the next lane and opened the gate with my pass and as soon as I got past the barrier I stopped because he had nipped around and tried to go through on my pass. I turned around and looked at him and then pushed him back a bit and let the gate close. He still got through with someone else and I don't really care. 
I relate this because once we were on the train there were four conductors checking tickets. They busted three people who were travelling without tickets, in the first quarter of the car. It was interesting to listen to the conversations because the conductors were unfailingly polite but were adamant that either a fare would be paid, with penalty, or the person would be escorted off the train. The people would bluster and complain, but to no avail. I saw another person in the back half who got caught as well, so our car was fertile ground for cultivation if you get my drift.
We got Jim there in good time to catch his plane and headed back to the apartment. Due mainly to the rains and the rush hour time the trains were packed. But we got back in reasonable time and had a quiet evening. Jim has likely just arrived as I write this post, we're hoping that he had a great trip as we enjoyed his company greatly.
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