Day 6 - Much slower pace...

Well, day 6 was a much slower day. The problem most tourists have is that they have to jump from point to point to place to place to "see all the good stuff" when in fact, they walk past most of it without even knowing it. Mike and Bill went to Chartres to see the giant cathedral there. Will and I went on a much different trek. We took the metro to Bastille where we wandered the open-air markets and shops around that part of town, and kept walking until we finally decided to go to Opera to see the Palais Garnier (The Opera House). Saw more than a few gypsies, and then wandered into the Galleries Layfayette, a massive department store of the very finest kind (check the pictures!!). Wandered back to the apartment pretty slowly, taking in the different sites, sounds, and smells. These things are what differentiates a traveler from a tourist. There is no way I fit in this culture (just look at me!) but slowing down and seeing things from the eyes of the locals makes for a much more memorable experience. I've made that my goal this trip, and for the most part, have succeeded.

We all crashed at the apartment for a little while. While Bill napped, Mike and Will went to the local cafe (Will has discovered French Hot Chocolate) while I went to meet Jason and offload the peanut butter. He said his kids told him to say hi to the "peanut butter man"...lol

When I got back we all went to eat at another local cafe and I had what might have been the best duck I've ever eaten. Oh man....(there's a pic in the gallery). After a Cafe Creme, it's bedtime.