Due to severe winds, the train had to detour off the 300 KPH (almost 200 MPH)  tracks from Amsterdam to Brussels but they could get up to speed from Brussels to Paris. Usually a one-hour delay causes me stress due to connections, short time available, etc. With one full week in an apartment in Paris, one hour really didn’t matter.

The Gare du Nord was crazy. I went to buy a carnet of 10 Metro tickets but the machine wouldn’t take US credit or debit cards because we’re about the only country that doesn’t have smart chips in our cards. It took cash but no bills. I needed 14.20 euros and had about 12 euros in coins. Finally I got that figured out and got to the Chatelet Metro stop. The owner of the airbnb.com apartment told me to take exit #16 from the metro stop but it was under construction and none of the exits were numbered. I was thrilled to be able to speak French and get some help.

I met up with Patrice and he showed me the apartment. WOW! I’ll talk about it later. The location is also (insert superlative here). My planning paid off.

Patrice recommended a restaurant just one block from my apartment in the massive pedestrian district, les Halles. There was a salmon appetizer that melted in my mouth. I’m not sure if it was some kind of sushi, which is unlikely in French cooking.

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The main course was lamb with swiss chard.

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Finally, millefeuille for desert.

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After a long walk, I felt like I feel as I’m writing this. It’s now well after midnight and I’m done.