Friday 09/27/19

I got up early, finished packing and cleaning up my AirBnB in Colmar. Was able to go out for a little walk and coffee before Andre, the host, came and drove me to the station. What a nice couple and great hosts. Train ride from Colmar goes through Strasbourg and then straight to Paris, Gare de l’Est. Once there, I transferred to metro line 4 to get to Odeon. As I tried to board the first train, which was crowded, various people attempted to “help” me with my luggage, something that is common pickpocket behavior, immediately bailed off that train and waited for then next one. On the next one, I got on and a large male was blocking my entrance to some degree and when I tried to get around him, he was dodging the same way I was. I always try to get to the back of a car and against a wall as this makes it much harder to steal thing from you. While this was going on it was apparent that his left hand was trying to get at my right front pocket. Fortunately, I was wearing my Clothing Arts Pickpocket proof pants, which have zippers on all of the pockets. He didn’t get anything and at this point others saw what he was doing and he bailed off the car. Welcome to Paris! Got the apartment, just down the hall a few doors from my last rental in April. 6th floor, elevator and in a great location, Couer St. Andre des Arts. This apartment is a duplex with a really neat, no railing spiral staircase going upstairs to a low ceiling bedroom with a big sky light. I was able to prop the skylight open just the right amount with a spoon for good ventilation. I’m finding all kinds of head and shoulder places to bump, but adapting fast. It’s nicely finished, quiet at night, washing machine and otherwise very nice, no view though, inner courtyard. After the obligatory supply shopping, went out for a walk and since it was off and on raining, took the Batobus, a hop on hop off boat on the Seine. I had intended to go to Trocadero and get a good Eiffel Tower picture, but when I got there it was pouring, so just stayed on the boat. For the evening, I headed over to the 5th, not an area I’ve spent any time in at night. A little research produced 3 possible wine bars that looked worth a try. BonVivant was great, friendly and busy. 5e Cru was more personal, a wine shop that serves some food and wine. Le Doux Raisin was more of a funk restaurant, so I had a few snails and a salad. Then it was off to Deux Magots for a digestif before calling it a night.5e Cru wine bar , duck rilletesDigestif at Les Deux Magots.Church of St. GermaineBatobus.