Steps, more steps, and one mis-step!

Wednesday  night Bob and I made a rather late night outing to meet our friends Jenny and Basti who came by train to spend a week with us here in Paris.  Their train from Frankfurt was delayed by two hours meaning they would not arrive at the Gare de l'Est until 10:50 p.m.  We were sure that if we allowed one hour to get to the station, we would have plenty of time... Not!  For some reason, the Metro app on our iPhone told us to take a few different trains to the Gare du Nord, and then walk for 5 minutes to the Gare de L'est.  OK, we like to walk!  However, the neighborhood when we stepped out of the metro station was less than savory!  A nice employee of a nearby Brasserie pointed us in the right direction and we "walked with purpose" through the streets to the train station.  We arrived only minutes before Jenny & Basti's train! Needless to say, we took a taxi back to our apartment!

Believe it or not, we didn't wake up the next morning until 9 a.m.! (in our home sleeping in means 7 a.m. usually!)  We awoke to a steady rain, so we did a quick internet search of what to do in Paris in the rain... Among our choices was to visit the famous Paris Passages: beautiful glasss domed passages between buildings lined with shops, restaurants and art studios.  These most surely were the inspiration for shopping malls, only much more picturesque!  After a late breakfast of coffee, baguettes and chocolate croissants, we headed out.  The Passages are amazing, and we wandered through them, enjoying the sights, sounds and beauty of each one.

Next we headed to Sacre Couer, and the Montmartre area.  There is nothing I enjoy more than walking through different parts of Paris and watching the neighborhoods change from one to another, the buildings and businesses reflecting the character of those who inhabit the area.  Sacre Couer is at the top of a large hill with a commanding view of Paris.  What I forgot about this area is the insane number of tourists who are always there!  I also forgot that although you get an amazing view of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is not visible from there!  Nonetheless, it was an interesting walk, and we did manage to put in 5.46 miles, 12,600 steps, and 22 floors according to the health app on our iPhone!

Fortunately, it was all "downhill" from Montmartre to our apartment, and perhaps a 20-30 minute walk.  When we were within blocks of out apartment, both Bob and I took our "mis-step"... In a moment of inattention we stepped into a monstrous pile of dog poo!   One must always be vigilant, because when you let down your guard, sh** happens!

By the time we arrived home, it was time to think about eating.  Jenny and Basti very sweetly offered to cook us dinner in their Air BnB flat which is two doors down from ours!  It was a delicious meal of  potatoes, vegetables sauteed and laced with feta cheese, and homemade Tzatziki sauce!  Perfect!