WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER, 1, 2008

Today, we returned to Paris after a wonderful, but short, visit to Toulouse. This is one of my favorite French cities to visit.

At 10 a.m. we left the apartment after fond farewells and the promise to return soon. We walked the three blocks toting our bags and arrived at the bus station just in time to catch the bus to the airport. It was about a twenty minute ride. Very convenient and very easy. The airport is a very nice one, with good signage, and not too large. We checked in at the "Navette" counter and went up to the Air France lounge. We have privileges there so we were able to relax in comfort for about an hour before going to the gate.There are flights from Toulouse to most of the major cities in Europe and North Africa and one or two to Montreal. Toulouse is the headquarters for the Airbus Corp, but it is owned by several European nations including Germany, Spain, and England. Due to this, there are many nationals of different nations in Toulouse. One of several reasons why English is emphasized in the business curricula and why there different backgrounds in the classes.
The flight was a pleasant one lasting about an hour. In Paris Orly, we took the bus to the Invalides Terminal where we caught a cab for the apartment. We saved about $15-20 going this way as opposed to a cab from the airport. Orly is a lot closer to Paris than Charles de Gaulle. But even so, the cab can cost 30-35 euros. Many French people use public transportation right to the airport at a much reduced rate if you don't mind lugging your bags in the street and up and down subway stairs(or bus steps), and onto the RER (super subway into the suburbs).
We got back home about 3:15 and spent the rest of the afternoon doing mail, some laundry, a little shopping, etc. We had dinner in the local restaurant where we had our first local dinner, Le Duc de Richelieu (see blog Aug 26). We had a very nice meal. They had some good fish items for Alexandria to appreciate. Almost every time we pass the restaurant, I stop to check out the "formule" which is a kind of prix fixe menu. It is usually 12-14 euros, but only about three entrées and three plats. They don't always have fish for a plat so when they do, it is a choice for us. When we came in and sat down, the owner tried to get us to try several of his special apératifs. I finally, told him that we had had our "petits apéros" at home. As we were leaving, he suggested with a smile that next time we have them at the restaurant, and we all smiled. Alexandria had a two salmon rillette and a main course fish called lieu which is one we don't find at home. I had the céléri remoulade and a blanquette de volaille. We shared a nice plum tart.