This morning, Kristian, Lumi and I walked to a nearby cafe to do a meet and greet with a Rover sitter. Why? You’ll just have to watch this space to find out. Muahahaha.
On the way back to our apartment, we stopped by the bank to make (another appointment). Fingers crossed that we actually have all of the paperwork that we need when we go back.
At least it’s a nice walk.
We met up with Lilian and went to the marché to do a big shop. Lilian is really loving our Saturday trip to the markets. This may or may not be due to the fact that we keep buying bouquets from the flower stand. The guy working there remembered Lilian, which was very sweet.
Lumi likes the marché as well. Probably because there are things like rotisserie chicken trucks.
We purchased some hummus and tapenade from a man who very patiently let me muddle my way through the conversation before admitting that, actually, he speaks English better than French. Why? He’s spent most of his life in Florida. It’s a small world after all.
Some people find the low-packaging options here off-putting, but I think they’re really cool. He scooped our dips into a bag and would say “less? more?” Bags of hummus are fairly easy to scoop out of with a spoon, and they don’t take up much space in the refrigerator. We limited ourselves to a reasonable amount, but we also told him that we’d probably see him again soon.
After lunch, we attempted some back-to-school shopping. I don’t have any photos, but just picture all three of us frantically googling things on our phone as we attempt to navigate the combination of a supply list in French and a completely new world of stationary. We still have to sit down and figure out what we’re missing.
But, our big adventure for the day was a trip to… a cat café! I figured Lilian could use some dopamine and some one-on-one time and I’d say I figured correctly.
The food and drinks were delicious (obvs), but the real attraction were all the kitties wandering around. The French are sometimes too cool for school, but even they can’t ignore the siren call of fluffballs just waiting for pets and scritches.
This café also had tea samples under cloches, so I was able to get a photo (we were in tourist mode, after all). I am now ruined for all other tea shops. Also, the French have fantastic tea options. Lilian wasn’t into any of them, however, so they got a hot chocolate.
I had a fruit tart and an earl grey rooibos. And probably a third of Lilian’s cheesecake, because they insisted that theirs was bigger and they should share. I’m not sure what happened there, but I’m going to assume it was kitty-cat dopamine related. (That, and the fact that they have a generous soul).
Lilian liked the cat café so much, they want to go back again. Hopefully, they can go with Kristian after I have to fly home!
Pfft, cats are quintessentially French. Aloof, picky eaters of food, and convinced that they are above everything.
Love your posts. When the Stella family lived in France, the vendors in the small village and market were positive that Mom said many orders incorrect. At the time, other women shopped daily and bought only what they needed that day. For example – four slices of ham, four slices of cheese for four sandwiches as opposed to Mom ordering a half of a pound for multiple days. One time she ordered a standing rib roast for a dinner to serve several of Dad’s colleagues. The butcher was positive she didn’t want as many ribs as she’d said. (Her French was sometimes spotty.) Dad had to run down to the market before they closed to get more and then use his surgical skills to bind the additional ribs.