My grandson Chris and me touring Paris by Segway in 2006. Happy Birthday Chris!
Today I needed a day of rest after the hectic week I’ve had. Luckily for me my need coincided with a cold and rainy day. I wandered around my neighborhood this morning, discovering new places. I’m staying in a really interesting part of town. Each day I’ve walked in a new direction, exploring this truly Parisian neighborhood.
One place I found this morning is an old and famous food market called “Marché des Enfants Rouges” – translated that means the Red Children’s Market. No, they weren’t communist children! Long ago there was an orphanage near the market where all the children were dressed in red clothes all the time. I love the open air markets of Europe. This one is actually under cover but it’s still a collection of people selling fruits and vegetables, cheeses, flowers, and cooked foods for take away. I was glad to finally find this market because it’s been on my list for years.
Late this afternoon I used Google Maps to find a place for dinner. I was hungry hours before any self-respecting restaurant would be open but luckily I found a truly Italian pizza place just a few blocks away. Called “Grazie” (the Italian for “thank you”) the place advertises itself as having “New York attitude and Italian food.” The pizza was great! Even better, they also had gelato! Pistachio gelato!!! (In case you haven’t discovered gelato yet, it’s Italian ice cream – the best ice cream anywhere!)
Happy birthday to my grandson Chris! Nearly ten years ago Chris and I spent a week in Paris together and we’re both hoping for a chance to do that again!
Libbie
In My Suitcase: Little Known Places to Discover 
I am reading a book about Paris right now… Twilight of the Belle Epoque by Mary McAuliffe. She mentioned Museum of Montmartre on Rue Cartot. Have you been there? I googled it and the reviews on a current exhibit that will last a few weeks longer were very glowing. You might want to check it out.
The difference between a traveler and a tourist is the permission to take a “day off.”
L
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I’m loving your blog – very interesting and it sounds and looks like you are having a great time.
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Hi Sandy,
I’m glad you’ve “come along” via the blog. I am enjoying a very good trip. I’ve been to Paris many times so I am quite familiar with it. I have not been to Antwerp before, nor to most of the other places I’m visiting, so I’ll be learning and writing and taking pictures to share, all at the same time. I hope you continue to follow my journey.
Libbie
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