PARIS - DAY SIX - MARCH 1

What a fun day today was!  Thanks to a Christmas gift last year from David's sister and brother (thanks Deb and Mark!) we went on a personalized walking  (I know...more walking!!!) tour of our new neighborhood with April of aprilinparistours.com - check her out if you're ever coming to Paris.  She'll put together a tour of your choice - we're going to Versailles in May!!!

 April had emailed me several weeks ago about incorporating a Market Day into our walk - a great idea to me!  That way she could show us the ropes of market shopping.  I know this is something we will be doing every week so we were anxious to go our first time with someone who was familiar with protocol.

On the walk to the market, we stopped at various places and she gave us some history or interesting information.  Though we've always stayed in the 7th Arr., she showed us many new sights and told us history that was even new to David.

The rain didn't seem to deter any vendors or patrons as there were lots of people coming and going with their carts full of fresh food and miscellaneous household items.

David really likes grocery shopping so he really got into this.  We bought some beautiful fruit (bananas, oranges, grapefruit and strawberries/blueberries), vegetables (leek, lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, potatoes, green beans), some chicken and beef, two cheeses, olives (the most delicious I've ever eaten!) and the cutest little tool.

Just a little plastic tool!

David and April checking the wares

You take a piece off the top or bottom of your orange or lemon, twist this into the fruit, squeeze and the little cup fills with juice (not enough to drink but good for flavoring).   For 3Euros I was sold! Many of the fruits were so beautifully displayed and you could smell their fragrances before you saw them...

Leaving the market with our bags bulging, we realized we needed a little cart like many shoppers had.  After a cafe stop for a rest and a coffee, our tour continued bringing us full circle back nearer our apartment.

We stopped for this treat to bring home...

Later people were standing in line at this shop!!!

(we planned to offer one to Mme. Acher when she dropped by later - ends up she doesn't eat sweets so I guess we'll have to eat them all!!!!!!!)

We went into a little shop we've been in multiple times this week and bought a little shopping cart (like I think of little old ladies using but here all ages use them-I guess because they're walking home, not driving).  We're excited for our next market visit and now we're prepared like real Parisians!!

Lunch on Saturday was a market melody - a plate of various textures, smells and tastes that were, when put together,  like a perfect song for the palate.

Lunch fit for a king!!!

This was a day that reminded me why we love Paris - it is a lifestyle where we can find pleasure in small things - like going to the market in the rain!!!