cool - overcast - gentle rainfall - birds singing and the ever present cooing of pigeons
During these long summer days, the light seems to be constant. There's light at 11PM and light at 5:30AM. I don't want to miss capturing any of the light, but I just must sleep and rest my tired legs for a few hours.
Today, we're headed to a street market, Marche aux Puces (Paris-Porte de Vanves) in the 14th arrondissement which is south about an hour by metro.
It is at the corner of av Georges Lafenestre & av Marc Sangnier. The market's full name is "Marche Aux Puces De La Porte De Vanves"
According to one book, "The Vanves flea market is the smallest and, some say, friendliest of the markets. Av. Georges Lafenestre has lots of curios that don't quite qualify as antiques and Av Marc Sangnier is lined with stalls of new clothes, shoes, handbags, and household items"
rain... rain... rain
The street market consists of tents lined on either side of a very long sidewalk, branching to the right and left at the end of the street. Food vendors sell refreshment for shoppers, and merchants haggle with shoppers over Euro prices on mostly unpriced items. "One man's junk is another man's treasure" could be the motto of this market. I'm taking someone's junk back to TN in the form of a little Limoges tea cup and saucer and a few small spoons.
This is not the more famous flea market in the 18th, Porte de Clignancourt, officially called Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, but known to everyone as Les Puces (The Fleas) (info LINK HERE).
The rain did dampen spirits a bit, both of the vendors and of the shoppers...and of me.
While reaching in my bag for an umbrella, I heard a loud thud and looked down to see camera parts lying across the concrete.
We found a dry, warm bistro, and sat and watched the rain pour down. Cappuccino and lunch of quiche, ham and potatoes, and omelet renewed our energy to brave the water puddles and walk back to the M stop.
Since the 1st arrondissement was somewhat on our way back to the flat, we shopped on rue Montmartre at Mora-a cooks mecca. A totally different shopping experience than browsing the famous E. Dehillerin (prior visit), we found items we needed and filled our wire shopping basket. Back on the Metro near Les Halles, we traveled back to Le Marais-home.
After requesting assistance in three camera shops, we were successful in restoring the camera to working condition.
Sunshine finally beamed through the clouds and people filled the streets, shopping, eating, and basking in the all too infrequent sun rays.
Prior to leaving for a 10 PM dinner, Martha served Kir Royales, ultra creamy cheese smeared like warm soft butter onto a crusty brown, crunchy baguette, and salted peanuts while Jerry and I worked through foreign country electronic device technical difficulties. The Kir Royale is a beautiful drink, served in a tall champagne flute, soft pink in color and glistening with tiny bubbles rising to the surface. I will just say that one drink is enough for me, and never again on an empty stomach.
At 10PM the light looks like 3PM Memphis light, overcast somewhat with clouds. We make our way to Au Petit Fer A Cheval (the little horseshoe) located in rue Vieille du Temple for dinner of fish, chicken, and duck, and afterwards walk to the Seine to toss coins at midnight from Pont Louis Philippe for loved ones. A stroll along Quai de Bourbon following the Midnight in Paris steps, then we turn toward home, wrapping our coats and scarves tightly to ward off the very brisk wind.
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