Rentree

Bonsoir - the days are getting shorter. When I first arrived in May, it didn't get dark until after 10pm - now around 8. It doesn't help that it has been cloudy and rainy the last couple of days. Today was the first day it rained the whole way from apartment to RER and RER to the office. Fortunately, I have my trusty IFS umbrella (never got much use before I came here).

This week is "rentree" in Paris. That means that everyone returns from summer vacation and school starts. There is definitely a change. Suddenly, there are many more people on the train. The office is full. Notably, the homeless people have returned. Before August, I would see the same people in the same spots - one guy around the corner always in the same place, another guy in the subway at Les Halles who just stands at the exit doors with a cup for coins. He never moves or even blinks (like the guard at Buckingham Palace). He sort of scares me. I have not see the guy who was always at the top of the escalator in the morning when I go down to the RER. I wonder if they also go on summer holiday? Maybe move closer to the tourist sites. I don't know, but it is strange that the homeless people also disappear during August!

In addition, many of the nearby shops (butcher, boulangerie, brasserie...) were closed and have now reopened. Now I can buy a roasted chicken again or Chinese food to go. Debbie and I have settled into more of a habit of eating at home now - that doesn't necessarily mean we fix too much. So far it has been limited to pasta, hamburgers, and chicken breasts. For the most part, if we can't cook it in a frying pan or microwave, we don't do it. But, there is a pretty good selection of take out choices from ethnic places, bakeries (for quiche or pizza), and charcuteries (sort of like a French deli). This week, our dinning-in meals included lasagna, Lebanese pies, Chinese, quiche and pizza. Our going out has gradually reduced so we probably only go out a few times for dinner, and frequently someone from my work will make the trip and join us. This weekend our daughter Emilee comes, and I expect we will go out a lot more while she's here.

But don't worry - we are still trying new restaurants each week! I have a comprehensive list (along with how well we liked them). We've also been trying to collect the cards from the restaurants, and have a good collection. I wish I would have taken a picture of them also.

Our exploring has also tapered off a bit. I know our time is limited, but some weekends you just don't feel like going to another amazing and famous sight or museum! This past weekend, we did go to Sainte Chapelle, but otherwise just did some walking around. And it was nice not to have anything really planned for a change. It was Jay's last weekend here in Paris. He and I came over here together and our apartments are about a 10 minute walk apart, so it will be a bit strange to have him gone. We got together for a final meal in Paris together. He has a friend Janie visiting and now they are off to Italy before returning to the US. Au revoir, Jay.