Still in Paris

We found an apartment. It is nice, with newly painted walls and crystal chandeliers. The 8/16er neighbourhood is a bit staid compared to the one we nearly signed up in the Boulevard Raspail/ Rue de Rennes area, but I can't justify village feel against 3 attached bathrooms/shower/toilet/bidet and 1 guest toilet and a decent sized kitchen. And the rent is within budget. Only thing is, we need to bring our own furniture, which means sleeping on the floor when the furniture is being shipped over (and back, when we return after the posting). And we'll have to figure out internet connection, telephone etc.

Two more nights in this overpriced hotel- we're only staying here because husband's office get a corporate rate which is still outrageous but then again I've not come across a reasonably priced parisian hotel. Being next door to the Musee du Louvre seems to imply it is OK to not give guests slippers and cotton buds unless they request it. There is no bottled water or tea facilities, a 75ml bottle of Evian is available in the mini bar at 7 euros each. And no duvets, only institutional orange blankets. The twin beds is literally two single beds and mattresses side by side. Front desk staff are invariably haughty, bureaucratic and patronising. It's been almost 15 years since Internet arrived but the hotel only has internet access in the bar and the adjacent corridor. No other access, dial up, ADSL or otherwise, even if one is willing to pay for it. So I find myself typing this in the chilly cigarette-stinky corridor. How ridiculous is that? In China, most hotels have free internet access....

We are missing Vera and the dogs. GG sms-ed that Mimi and Rufus spent the first night waiting for us to come home. Here in this city people take their dogs to the airport, office, meet clients, restaurants and even shopping centres. And there are far fewer dog doos too, people actually carry newspapers and little bags with them for such emergencies.

I've been good, have not spent silly money on clothes and fripperies, and we're eating well but not extravagantly, guess we exhausted most of the touristy stuff out of our system with the last visit on honeymoon 8 years ago, Eight years.... it was also about the same time, because like this day 8 years ago the new Boujeaolais was launched. In between the apartment hunting and walking around the arrondisements, I've been taking pictures- the soft morning light is especially kind and easy to work with. Have a look here if you like.

OK, my feet are freezing, I have to go back to the room.