Gee, its happens to be Friday, 24 July. Where did the week go? I ask, where did the week go? It’s the beginning of my third week and after a lapse in posting I’ve had an e-mail inquiry as to my health and safety. Those are fine. However, the pace of activities has slowed. I have plenty of photos (and stories, one especially for cat lovers) from the several days I was out and about Paris this past week.
Just happen to be passing, lots of people in line waiting to visit Notre Dame.
Sculpture detail, Square Rene Viviani, Quai de Montebello, across from Notre Dame.
Make of it what you will. I like the color of the sign.
Let’s start with breakfast. I have been enjoying a very flavorful cup of coffee in the mornings, origin Kenya, purchased from Hediard, located in Place de la Madeleine. Hediard is a purveyor of fine foods, teas, coffee, spices, mentioned frequently in the literature for visitors to Paris (as are Mariage Frères and Maille (Company)). I didn’t survey the entire store as I mainly wanted to buy coffee, so I will comment only on the coffee and a spice blend.
The coffee was priced at a slight discount for “soldes” season, but that did not determine my choice. Kenya is well-known for its excellent coffee. 
The café moulu Afrique de l’est is medium flavored, though with full body, not acidic or over roasted, and quite good for breakfast, although I believe it would probably go well with desserts, similar to an expresso. The spice blend, tai chi, consists of salt, paprika, onion, black pepper, chili pepper, gingembre(?) lemon, zest and coriander. Just the right mixture of spices in one bottle (grinder included) for preparing a quick meal.
Lunch or dinner (eat-in): For anyone in the neighborhood of Rue Mouffetard and you are too tired to cook after all your walking, try this little traiteur which is distinctly different from the typical traiteur. La Table d’Orphee considers itself a boutique located at 5, rue de Bazeilles, 75005, parallel and west of Rue Mouffetard, www.latabledorphee.fr. There is sister restaurant (same chef), Les p’tites indécises at 2, rue des 3 Bornes, 75011. Will look for reviews later. I enjoyed my take-away dish of steamed salmon (a large piece) with tiny green beans and sautéed carrots. Prices are average. There was a selection of meat, chicken and pasta dishes; and an assortment of beverages. I will be trying them again.
Commentary to come on the Mexican restaurant, Anahua Calli, and, just today I received a recommendation for an outstanding, not to be missed, patisserie in the neighborhood.
Wednesday was reserved for a long bus ride to get to a certain destination. I can recommend bus no. 63 as a good introduction to several different aspects of Paris for someone here only a few days. The bus travels east-west across the mid-section of the city: starting at Gare de Lyon through the Latin Quarter, along Saint Germain for quite a distance, then Invalides, and Trocadero, ending at Porte de la Muette (near Bois de Boulogne). The trip puts you within reach of many sights. Have you been to Église Saint-Sulpice lately? Are they still renovating?
What’s the best thing to do next (if you no longer wish to go to “xyz” museum? It’s fine weather (for a few hours), so get on bus no. 72 somewhere along the Seine to travel east toward Hotel de Ville. Once there, see what the latest Mairie-sponsored activity is, for example, the Boxing Tour for young kids. Go shopping at BHV across the Rue de Rivoli. There is a fairyland of wonderment in the basement.
I see there are too many words on the page. The cat story must wait until next time.
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