Shopping. Got a last minute message from Ayako that the pool was closed for cleaning. And not for the lifeguard strike? Ah well, I propose lunch today or tomorrow, and get out into Paris.
Over to Dehillerins. Except I can't make myself go in. So many beautiful things, which I don't really need, or even have baggage room to take home. I dither for a few minutes before continuing on. In the continuous drizzle. To Mora, x, x, x, x,. Buy roasted cocoa nibs (a whole kilo!), at G. Detou. And some foie gras (don't hate me), at the place we went to on the foodie tour. Contemplate some stacking glass containers, but restrain myself.
Then, since I have an hour to kill before checking in at the school to see if lunch is good today (it really is a hassle to not have cell/web/text services here), I take the metro out to the sweet shop with Henri Le Roux's caramels. Denise, the proprietor, is a character. Must be in her late 50's to early 60's, she speaks with a smoker's raspy voice, sports two schoolgirl braids, wears reading glasses, and dresses like a parochial student. Charming, and passionate about sweets. Everything is so tasty, but I limit myself to the caramels, and 4 jars of the CBS paste. Basically, I clean her out. Lucky I came today, and not tomorrow. I overhear the couple before me say that they'd gone to his store outside of Paris, and it was closed. For vacation? Anyway, Denise has an order in, but will not be able to get anymore stock until after they reopen! I marvel at my good luck.
Back at the school, Pranali and Ayako are ready for lunch. I see Christine briefly, and she says that the chocolates were "super!" it always makes me laugh to hear the French say it, always with the accent on the second syllable. Lunch at another cafe around the corner from the school. Apparently it's one that these two ate at with Venus and Sean. The onion soup is good, but very filling. I'm unable to finish my steak, and entice the other two to share my third course dessert, a creme brûlée!
After lunch, I go over to the Milk store, and copy/send my license to the conference organizer.
Back to the apartment, to drop off my goods, and inertia sets in. I continue the packing, to see if it will be necessary to buy another bag. I think I can get everything in. Especially as I will need to check a bag with liquid-y-ish consumables, I can use the stuff sac and my handy dandy large Marche Franprix bag to carry other stuff in. Good grief, the chocolate is heavy!
And then, I get the idea to go to Mont St. Michel. I'd wanted to go every since Patti had told me about it years ago, but had been letting the idea go, bit by bit, throughout the trip. I found a few websites with online registration, and registered on one. Then, getting nervous, I called ... an American telephone number! Turns out that the tour had been sold out for two months. So, I searched online, and decided to go by myself. Who knows the next time I will have an opportunity?
After successfully booking my ticket, I thought it important to buy food for a picnic lunch. Looks like weather will be warm, bright, and humid, and that food on the island is outrageously expensive. I dawdle, and miss the Kaysor bakery. So sad. I make do with the Franprix.
When I get home, as I'm putting groceries away, I realize that I will be on the train, when the person comes to check out the apartment! I don't even know why this is necessary, but it looks like the rental agency have changed policy, and want to be able to check the apartment before the tenant leaves. I email Magalie, apologize, and ask if it's possible to do Thursday morning at 08-0900. I hope it's okay, and that it doesn't take too long, as the conference starts at 09:00 on Thursday.
I also look up info on Cafe Constant. It is just across the Champs de Mars from where the conference is, and I plan to eat there both nights. It is a lazy decision, but also a delicious one, as the food is amazingly tasty.
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