TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008

Today Erwin broke the frames of his computer glasses. Luckily, the lenses were OK. We were going to spend the afternoon at the monthly get together of the Parler Paris Après Midi group. If you remember from September, this is a group of mostly people who subscribe to the Parler Paris news magazine and who own or are interested in owning property in Paris. About 15 people showed up for the afternoon of conversation and coffee, wine, etc. They were mostly Americans today, but there was one English/Norwegian gentleman and a few expats who have been living in Paris for 20 or so years. We talked about our experiences, things to do in Paris, etc.

As we walked down the rue de Bretagne toward the meeting, we passed the bookstore called "Comme un Roman". We noticed in the window that later that evening, there would be a book signing by none other than the author Salman Rushdie. His newly published work is Enchanteresse de Florence and he was there to publicize it. Unfortunately, it was at 19:30 and we didn't want to wait around but it would have been interesting.

On the way to the meeting, we stopped at an optician's shop and bought a new pairs of frames (as expensive as in US) They had to cut the lenses down to fit the frames since they had no frames to fit the lenses. This worked out perfectly since they needed about an hour and we could come back after they meeting, and so we did.
The number 29 bus was perfect for the afternoon excursion since it was close to home and only a few blocks from the meeting. The Parisian bus system is a wonderful way to get around the city. Much more to see above ground and doesn't require going up and down staircases in the Métro and the sometimes long corridors connecting different subway lines that connect at various locations. We have just about mastered the system with the help of a small book that lists all of the bus lines, about 70 in all, a map of each route, and a listing of all of the stops and other lines that connect up. One can usually, get to one's destination by taking no more than two buses.We have a special bus pass that allows us unlimited access to the buses and the Métro for a month at a cost of about $75. Weekly rates are about $20. This compares to about almost $2 if you buy a one trip ticket, or about $15 dollars for a ten trip book. We tend to use the bus at least twice a day and sometimes more.Plus an occasional subway ride.Our monthly passes have microchips in them and you just swipe them as you enter the bus or the subway station.

We got back home about six, had dinner in and watched a episode of Lovejoy, a British comedy.

Tomorrow, friends from the US, Carl and Janet Bredlau. will arrive and we will have the pleasure of showing them the city that we love. Stay tuned for our escapades.