Day 29 - Galeries LaFayette for the sales

Andrew suggested Lenny and I buy a metro pass for the week, which was a brilliant idea, and has already meant many queues avoided and money not spent. You can go on all forms of public transport for whatever period of time you elect to pay for. Here is what they look like:

We had yet another great day - my feet are getting sore from so much walking, but it is really the only way to see Paris properly. You must get lost in the tiny streets. We started the day with a coffee across the road at our tiny local bar where the guy is so friendly. He gave Lenny a stress ball - a black rubber ball - the other day, so we gave him a koala holding a boomerang - kind of daggy but sweet. He told us it is his birthday tomorrow! Then we went up the road to a tiny art framing shop, where I'd seen some beautiful, colourful frames I'd been thinking about ever since I saw them. I practiced my French - the woman spoke no English - and bought 5 of the frames - one for each member of the family. I will put them on our wall in Kuwait.

This is Lenny with his prized possession from the tour Eiffel.

We went to the sales at Galeries LaFayette. I bought 2 lego toys for Lenny, some socks, a gorgeous very Parisian set of underwear for Yilps, and Later we went back with Michael and he bought a bunch of very nice ties, and a vest. Lenny and I tried to go to the cinema, because it was cold and rainy today, but there was nothing on for kids, so we went to a fancy cafe for chocolat chaud and icecream,which more than made up for it! When you ask for icecream in Paris, don't expect a lump of icecream on a plate. We got 4 scoops, each with a dash of whipped cream, and little biscuits and merangue, sprinkled with almonds.

Here is a video of a fabulous 'busker' who had pushed his piano over to the shops from somewhere - the Opera? his house? a rehearsal studio? -  and played a bunch of pieces by memory. It was exciting to see such great playing in the street. At one point a crazy guy smashed his hands onto the piano - the pianist was incensed, and jumped up, out of his deep concentration, and yelled at the guy. Great street theatre. Sorry I didn't get to film this, but I did film some of his playing, with a great, dramatic run up to the finale, just as  Michael and Lenny put money into the tin.

 

LAter we went to Montmartre, up to Sacre Coeur - there was a festival on, with a huge stage, comedians, music. We had dinner at a restaurant nearby, then walked home, because, as it turns out, we are a stone's throw away from this area! Who would have thought! 

 

Comments

[Mama]

how amazing and wonderful to see such street music in a bustling city. I think you might be getting addicted to chocolat chaud, Lenny, so you will have to learn how to make it French-style when you go back to Kuwait.

[Carol J]

I believe there is concordance of Pianos
in Paris. That large blue P behind the player
indicates the ramp to Piano Parking
though, mostly in this locale
it's Honky Tonk and Blues,
the furiously classical is always well
received.

[Tracey Lees]

I think you should get the boys berets, seriously!