Paris With The Sisters

     After a rough spring and summer, my sisters and I decided to meet in Paris for my fall break. We wanted to spend time just enjoying each other's company, and talking about happy things and being giddy and silly. 

As chance would have it, we all left the ground at about the same time, Darlene & Cathy from Toronto, and me from Tashkent. I had to change planes in Moscow, so my trip took a few hours longer.  Dar & Cathy were waiting for me at the arrivals hall in Charles de Gaulle airport. After a quick cafe au lait (for me), we made our way to the ticket office for the RER into central Paris. For 10 euros each, we took the train directly to Les Halles, the metro stop closest to our rented apartment. Les Halles is a massive metro station AND a big underground shopping mall, so it took us a while to find the correct exit. When we did, we found ourselves dragging our bags through an enormous street market. 

We passed glorious St.Eustache church, and found the street where our apartment is. It turns out to be right beside the church. The living room windows look directly onto the steps. As I write this, I can hear someone sitting on the steps, playing the guitar.

The view from the living room couch. 

After a tea and unpacking break, we set out to explore the immediate area. Paris to me is such an amazing city; the history, the vibrancy, the sheer beauty, the effortless stylishness of average people walking in the street. 

We decided to cobble together our dinner with offerings from different shops in the neighbourhood; a fresh baguette from the bakery, oranges from the fruit store, pasta from the pasta store, salads and creme brulee from the delicatessen. 

We brought our feast home and ate it while watching the scene unfold in the square just outside our window. We watched a young couple having a sad argument, then making up, a young family taking a break on the church steps, the 'village idiot' striding drunkenly around, talking to anyone and everyone. 

 

Saturday night in the city of light.