Saturday, August 23

Today, we did a lot of small things. We went to Office Depot to get some of our music bound into a booklet for our music week in Italy. Yes, I said Office Depot. We could have gone to Staples, but the Office Depot was more convenient. Each store has many outlets in Paris. Just like home. We then went on to the Gare de Lyon, a large train station, where we got train tickets for a part of our trip in Italy. We had our obligatory tea stop at the Café Européen across from the station. By the time we finished our chores, it was time to return to our "quartier" where we had dinner at the café Sancerre right around the corner from the apartment. We are regulars there by now. Alexandria had squid in a sauce somewhat like ratatouille and a curry-flavored rice. Erwin had a Burger de Roma with frites. See the photos here.

During the afternoon as we went to the Gare de Lyon, we took a number of photos that are interesting. First, a store devoted solely to e-cigarettes.

Then another grafitto.

Then, a group of stores along the place de la République that I refer to as "restaurant row". One fast food after another. In the photo, you might be able to identify starting on the extreme right Quick (a French brand), Kentucky Fried Chicken, MacDonalds, Hippopotamus, and Buffalo Bill Grille. The Hippopotamus is the one with the red awning way down the street above the person in red.

 A sign on the door of the Office Depot tells customers that wearing of cycle helmets is not authorized in the store. Couldn't tell whether this was meant to be funny or not.

,