Saturday in Paris

We ventured out of doors a little late today due to some old woman who slept really late.  We took the metro to Opera and got off and went window shopping at Gallery Lafayette.

- Number 1:  Saturday.
- Number 2: seasonal sales/soldes.

I am sure there were some great buys, but the population in the stores was much greater than on the street.  If I want get some pictures of this chic store, I shall have to go back in mid week.  We did not make it to Au Printemps today.


When we entered the store we were greeted by four plain clothes security men. I think it was because my pockets were full of gloves and hat and a shopping bag that I was stopped and "wanded"  by a guard.  I have very bulky pockets when we go out.  Of course I was behind the Professor and he was completely unaware that he was shopping alone until I called to him.

There is evidence of security measures almost everywhere we go.  It is Washington, DC with every handbag checked.  Once in awhile we will see armed soldiers as well. They seem to come in 4s dressed in berets and camouflage and armed to the teeth.  We have seen them by Notre Dame and today they were by the Opera.  Both crowded spots with lots of tourists.



Well maybe not so many tourists.  They say that January is the month when Paris belongs to the Parisians.  Not too many people stand out in a crowd. One sad thing that we have noticed is that there are homeless men in our neighborhood and in the Metro.  I don't remember seeing anyone asleep in a doorway on av.La Motte Picquet.  I am certain we did not see anyone sleeping by a metro platform when we were here two years ago.  The Professor's opinion is that police are much to busy elsewhere to worry about indigent people.

We got off the Metro at the Opera and discovered this classical pianist sitting on the sidewalk by the stairs to the subway.  Wonderful music.  Hard to get a picture because of all of the people stopped to look at a piano on the street.

I like this shot of the Professor modeling with his peers on a walkway between two buildings.  He was a very good sport.  Oh and that includes letting me take a picture of the tourist's dream china.

We ate couscous at Les Quatre Freres.  Just as delicious as I remember. There is a very friendly atmosphere there and often people come as families, even little wanders.

 I even got treated to a "Coka light," since its only 1.90 there instead of the 5 Euros we have accidentally paid at other places .  We have since been very cautious about buying soft drinks.

Tomorrow is Church.  Can I really get up  on time to shower and dress?  

And be on the Metro by 8:45?