54 rue de Turbigo

Bon jour! The title of this entry is our address while in Paris. It is in the 3rd. arrondissement, if you know Parisian organization. The third is good because the lower the numbers, the closer that neighborhood is to the center of Paris, Ile de Cite, and the Seine. We are gradually getting to know our neighborhood, although we still take two maps with us whenever we go for walks (Rick Steves' Paris map and a neighborhood map from our landlords which could be more accurate!) We have a nice boulangerie (bakery) across the street from us that provides us with fresh croissants most mornings. There are several cafes close by as well. Yesterday we went to Giverny, Claude Monet's home where he painted his famous bridge and gardens. It was just like the paintings! We had a great day for the trip. We went with a tour company here in Paris. It was a half day trip by mini van. The driver was a young French man with very good English. It was so interesting - in the van were Jon and I, a black woman from Vancouver BC, a family of 3 (parents and daughter in her mid 20s) from Brazil and a couple from Israel! We have noticed over and over how international a city Paris is! The driver did a great job of telling us about Paris and what we were seeing as we drove through and out of the city. We saw the lovely countryside, including castles and quaint villages. One of the advantages of being with a tour is that one gets into the site through the group entry, which we did. Many folks were lined up at the regular admission spot. The day was mild, partly sunny and very conducive to photography. We went to the famous bridge first, then through the gardens into his house, and lastly sat on a bench in the garden for a while. We got caught in Sunday night, everyone- coming- home- from-Normandy, traffic, but still back into town in time for dinner at an Italian restaurant on the left bank recommended by our driver. On Saturday we took the Metro to the Champs Elysee to see the famous shopping area and then walk back via the Tuilleries garden. The Metro is still a bit confusing and we have to watch carefully to be sure we are taking the correct train in the correct direction. Happily we haven't made an error yet, although we've come close! We are also still figuring out how to work these European appliances. The laundry is done by a combination washer and dryer; our landlord helped us to get that going since the only manual was in French. It took us 3 attempts to run the dishwasher and today I got the vacuum cleaner working after about 20 minutes. Thankfully the coffee maker was a Krups product and worked the first time! We've worked out the telephone but could find manuals for that in 6 languages, none of them English! We're beginning to realize how tiring traveling on one's own in a foreign country can be!!! It does take a lot of flexibility and good humor to survive as a tourist and I say this in a country in which the language is at least a bit familiar; I hope we're alive after Poland! More later...a bientot!