Lunch with Friends, a Paris Walk and souvenir shopping

Much better day today. We took bottles up to recycling on rue de Bac and then started a leisurely stroll down blvd. St. Germain. The July soldes (sales) have started early so shops all had sale displays. Ed needed cash for our trip next September so we stopped at Barclays and BNP Paribas ATMs to get it.

We continued toward the Odeon Metro station where we turned south following part of a “Paris Walk” card. We found the San Francisco Book Store and looked through but didn’t buy anything. The gentleman, obviously American, was very pleasant but it’s mostly paperbacks and not much of interest to us.

We were intrigued by a shop selling hunting clothes. We both play French horn originally derived from the hunting horn or Cor de Chasse and that was the name of the shop. Of course I had to get a photo.

Walked on to the Odeon Theatre and around the neighborhood discovering a music conservatory near the Sénat and the house where John Paul Jones died in Paris, a bit of American history we didn't know. Lots of interesting things.

Moved on to the Luxembourg Gardens and claimed a seat to wait for Kate and Mike and his wife, Jill . . . a mini Virtual Tourist Meet. Mike and Jill soon showed up and a bit later Kate arrived. It was fun to meet them and we immediately liked all of them. A brief discussion and I led the parade down the street to La Bastide d’Opio where a table for five and our favorite waiter were waiting for us. Mike and Ed got sea bass; Kate and Jill got the magret de canard and I got the beef broquettes. It was all wonderful. Mike and I got the hot chocolate cake with ice cream; Jill a strawberry parfait and Ed the caramelized apricots and Kate passed on dessert. It was a really fun three-hour meal with very interesting people. They’re all from Australia and incredibly well traveled, but nice and normal. Had a great time!

The party finally broke up and they headed to St. Sulpice to find the Gnomon while we walked down to Place St. Andre-des-Arts to explore. We found an apartment we didn’t rent and were glad we hadn’t. When we discovered it was directly above an Irish Pub, we decided it would be too noisy! Good choice.

Got scarves for the girls at Diwali and an apron for me in a souvenir store. Found an arcade and the Le Procope Restaurant and then the Delacroix Museum on its lovely quiet square.

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Finally ended up on rue Jacob and walked on home where we have to clean and pack for tomorrow.