Pascal

Today, I used a resource from Rick Steves' the Paris Greeter program, where a local Parisien serves as your guide through "their" Paris. We woke up but got moving late since we/I went to bed at 1 am again. Cafe for breakfast with baguette, and then off to Metro to meet with the tour guide. We  meet in the Latin Quarter for a seemingly grande tour through St Sulpice (of course here we wanted to see the meridian from DaVinci Code- which was renounced as pure fantasy on a placard inside the church!) Luxembourg Gardens, the Pantheon, Eglise de St Etienne etc, but so many sights were closed. Our greeter was terrific, very good english, better than our French, and we learned so much.
Sadly, it extended later than I had hoped and I missed the time for the Tumor Board at the Clinic B, to which I had been invited. But that ended up in a great evening with Erin and Mom. A stir fry dinner, ala Anne.  Sadly, yes we still have whimped out and used the Monoprix. I have insisted that we vow to never shop there again except in emergency. We must get to the open markets!!
Per chance, the gardienne de l'apartemente came up to pick up a box, in our reacquaintance, I inquired about her daughter also 15 years old and a horse back rider. Erin had been also a few years back, and I was so happy to find someone her age with whom she might connect while here. It ended up that Erin went to their flat and came back half a hour later, with a helmet and riding pants, and plans to ride in the Bois de Bologne Monday.  Yes, it's a camp and it is safe, I have been reassured.
Our location is adequate. I little emmph, just off C.Elysees, a more neighborhoody feel would be nice, but I say that carefully as I believe we need to venture east on rue Berri, we have only gone towards the C.E. and south of Rue Faubourg, both very tony neighborhoods. I believe I recall there is a good market the other direction.
Our guide told us today that the price of flats in Paris is skyrocketing, I have to reference the astromical figure, but I believe you could buy a very small studio for ~260,00 euro! I can't imagine for what this place would go!! Signing off. Bonsoir. Tried twice to call home, no answer.
LOVE TO JIM AND SAM