Thursday, July 25, 1991
David flew to Madrid, Spain. This was one of those quick trips so I didn’t go. Still raining today but I have the urge to roam the streets - there must be a bargain somewhere.
Friday, July 26, 1991
Market day. I’m getting good at this. One of the ladies who has vegetables there recognizes me from the first time and proceeds to speak a little English for me. There are lots of vegetable, meat, fish, etc. booths and you just sort of pick one you like.
As I was glancing over the pork area at one booth, a kind gentlemen began to speak in French. When he realized I didn’t understand him, he apologized for not speaking English. He was very jovial and with sign language and a few mixed words, I managed to buy protraine fumee (bacon) and jambon (ham).
Other stores along the streets seem to post more specials on market days and I even manage to buy a few Christmas gifts at prices I could almost afford.
Wednesday, July 24, 1991
Rain in Paris
Real cool today as a cool front passed thru in the night bringing the beautiful sound of rain in the early morning hours. Planted the rest of my geraniums and a few more seeds I took off plants in the garden. Lots of beautiful, dark, heavy rain clouds this afternoon as a storm passes thru.
The rain is so beautiful to watch from our top floor apartment as it flows thru the trees and onto the garden. David took our car in for its first check up today. We hope he finally gets all the proper stickers and papers. It’s been an education to owning a car here.
More grocery shopping today. I now wait until after 2pm. Between 12 Noon and 2pm most of the shops close for lunch so if you want to browse before buying groceries, it’s not possible. Plus you have a lot of people from the closed shops at the grocery store during that time.
More beautiful rain falling and a surprise call from Twina tonight. We could have talked for hours but decided to make a list and save it for our trip home soon.
Friday, July 19, 1991
Tuesday, July 16 - Friday, July 19, 1991
*The entries below are for the next few days combined. The entries were short so they have been put together into one post.
Tuesday, July 16, 1991
Coffee this A.M. at the Church with the ladies. Took some of my cookies. They went fast. Toured thru more shops and tourist areas with Iris and Soneda.
Wednesday, July 17, 1991
Decided to shorten the curtains. They look great!
Thursday, July 18, 1991
Back to the grocery store. Dinner guest tonight. Stopped at a great bakery for a Bagette. Walking down the street Rue de Paris, a gentleman asked me for the bread. I kept walking. George Swaggert visiting from Intervoice Dallas. Great meal - enjoyed his company.
Friday, July 19, 1991
Went to the market. Bought more of those great baking potatoes and couldn’t resist a dozen gladiolas for 30 Francs ($5USD) (They are gorgeous and we miss ours at home), and a couple of begonia plants.
Monday, July 8, 1991
Washer & Dryer Again
David goes to Darty store (place where the washer was bought originally) to see if they could give him any ideas on where the water was coming from. He had already checked all the hoses. Not much luck. He takes the front panel off and discovers the approximate area of the problem.
The softener cup is stopped up and not draining. The lady did tell me she occasionally poured hot water thru it to keep it clear but she neglected to tell us it was stopped up right now. We found out the hard way.
It does great now! More groceries to buy - but I’ve devised a grocery cart for us. David suggested I put a box on the luggage cart and it works great. I’ve improved my speed at the checkout counter too.
Thursday, June 6, 1991
McDonald’s - Thursday, June 6, 1991
Back to the grocery store for a few more items. I first stopped at McDonald’s for fries and a coke. I order it “to go” so I can sit outside and also because the fries come in a sack and will stay warmer.
As I’m sitting at the McDonald’s table outside, a young man (employee) approaches and tells me something in French. I tell him in French that I don’t understand French. So, he tells me in English that I ordered my food “to go far away” and I can’t sit here.
O.K., I moved my body to some steps about 10 feet away and finished my snack. On to the grocery store. I don’t pay for a cart anymore. I buy a little at a time and use a hand basket. Also remember, you’re walking and you have to carry it home.
Editor’s Notes
We went to the McDonald’s over there, you also have to pay for ketchup packets too!
Wednesday, June 5, 1991
The Grocery and Apartment - Wednesday, June 5, 1991
David takes the high speed train to Leon, France, for the day. We decided to move out of the expensive hotel and into a temporary apartment in La Defense called Club Affairs. With David gone, I check out the hotel taking 2 pieces of luggage with me on the cart and off I go to the apartment.
The only problem is, as I exit the building, I know the general direction to go in but am not really sure, plus there are steps and people everywhere, so I head for David’s office. Yes, it’s the long way but I’m sure I can find it that way and hopefully find the ramps for my cart.
No such luck. After climbing 2 large stairways I arrive at Club Affairs. Nice people here. Back to the Sofitel for the last piece of luggage. This time I remember the straight way -toward the Grand Arch and back toward the arch de Triomphe and it proves easier.
Well, it’s grocery buying time. We now have a kitchen and utensils. David arrives home and off we go (walking, of course) to Auchan Hypermarche - a huge grocery, etc., store. Tons of people there. We see people with grocery carts and realize they are coming from a back room. David goes to get one and has to pay to use it.
Then there is the grocery line. You bag your groceries -quickly, while trying to watch that they charge you the right prices. You have to be fasts because the minute you pay, they are checking the next guy and you need to be gone!
Editor’s Notes
Image below is La Defense - Temporary Living in June 1991. Caption on the image reads: View from our temporary apartment
It looks like it was raining, of course.
