COUNTDOWN TO DEPARTURE!!

One week from today we'll be in Texas seeing our kids and putting together the few belongings we stored to move to Kansas City.  This next week I'm going to try and do a little post each day to let you know what we're doing.  So...

Day 7

Today is Market Day.  Every Saturday morning the past 20 months we've gotten up, had breakfast and gone to the street market on President Wilson Boulevard across the Seine.  Today we didn't have to buy much since we'll be checking into a small hotel on Wednesday, so we didn't need our rolling cart...just bags.  We had bought small boxes of chocolates for our market vendors who have become almost friends over these past months.

We absolutely love our frommage (cheese) ladies.  They are so warm and friendly and are very patient with our faltering French.  We were able to explain in French we were returning to the United States and had a little gift.

She has a partner but she's usually the one helping us

Next is our butcher team!  They really got to know us when we ordered our 125 Euro turkey last Thanksgiving!!!  They're nice guys and, again, understood our French explanation of leaving.

Only a crazy American buys a 125 Euro turkey!!

And last, but not least, are our produce guys.  Almost always these four men are there on Saturday selling us (and anyone else) veggies and fruits.  Some English is spoken (minimally like our French) and they've been really good at trying to understand our French and help us know what certain foods are called (and how to pronounce them!!).

Here are the guys-one on the left usually helps us

 

On the way home-beautiful fall day

Unlike other Saturdays, today after dropping our bags at home, we strolled down to Rue Cler for a few things.  David had mentioned earlier in the week the Christmas lights going across the street had been hung (but not lit) so I got to see that.  It seems earlier than last year but I expect it's not.  I think last year I still had some American mindset that has Christmas decorations going up really early.  In reality, this is early!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

As we were walking to Rue Cler, we saw lots of costumed children with their Halloween bags trick-or-treating at various shops.  I know The American Library had a Halloween event for the children today and then, as we found out, it seems some shops give away candy.  It's such a different life living in the city as we do.  But I always find it refreshing (and fun) to see young families going about their day in an ordinary way.  We'll miss seeing children going to school, preschoolers on scooters and even shop trick-or-treaters!!!

We think this library ad on doors lets parents know they have candy

Because we were out last night, tonight is Pizza Night!  We'll miss our weekly pizza at our favorite place.  But, perhaps, we'll have a new "favorite place" on the Plaza!!!!