Here are just a few snapshots from day three in Paris. We took the Metro for the first time on our way to the 18th arrondissement (easy peasy). Our destination – an antiques market spanning many, many city blocks. I didn’t have nearly enough time to enjoy it all let alone rummage through the boxes of old photographs but I was glad to have had any time at all. I did manage to pick up a few treasures that I’ll share soon.
Later on in the day we came upon one of the many Laduree’s, though this encounter was for window shopping only. I will for sure be enjoying many macarons (and other assorted pastries) before the trip is up.
In between more rain showers, we found ourselves at the Saint Germain of Prés Church just in time to hear an all girls choir from Austria. It was an amazing treat to hear such beautiful voices fill an ancient place.
Can I tell you, though, that the highlight of my day came at the neighborhood grocer and quite by accident too. When I lived in Chicago I used to be able to get pear flavored Pim’s cookies. They were amazing – designed with my taste buds in mind – subtle pear flavor, touch of chocolate, pillowy softness. Over time and to my dismay they disappeared in favor of orange and raspberry flavors. For more than ten years I have found myself wishfully searching the cookie aisle for their return. Today, I was doing the same thing and instead of pear flavor, I found banana. I didn’t think that combo sounded too good but I decided to try them anyway. Later when I was back in the hotel, I opened the box and took a bite. I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were – how reminiscent of my beloved pear flavor. I took another look at the box and wouldn’t you know it, they were pear flavored after all! I hadn’t been wearing my glasses at the store and I somehow managed to mistake a picture of a pear for that of a banana (don’t ask me how). What good fortune that I decided to get them anyway. I’ll soon be returning to stock pile these delightful cookies. With some willful rationing they may just last until my next European trip (or not)!