Today was a low-key day. It felt good to sleep in, drink coffee and relax. Later in the day I went for a walk and bought some fresh roses for the apartment. I also ventured into a produce shop, the kind where you don't touch the produce.
Produce Market
I asked for the raison noir (dark grapes). I'm so used to touching, squeezing and smelling produce before I select. This is very different and requires an element of trust. The gentleman in the lab coat (one of three at this busy shop) holds of a bunch of grapes, "Oui, c'est bon. D'accord." I think I just said "Yes, it's good. ok." He shakes his head in agreement and wraps them up. I prepare to pay, no, I need to pay the lab coat guy at the counter. "D'accord, merci."
Although I'm not sure what he just said, I know that the lab soat guy at the counter doesn't want a 10 Euro note (for a 8.10 purchase). Do I have change. I eventually dump out all my change and he takes most of it. I can live with this.. at least my entire exchange was in French.
Souvenir Guys
One souvenir shopkeep who speaks very good English likes to ask, "Where is Madame headed today?" My regular answer, "In this direction." Smile, laugh and walk. Even the souvenir guys at the Champ du Mars have stopped trying to sell me stuff and would simply exchange a polite "Bonjour" or "Bon Soir."
The souvenir guys seemed to have their turf / areas of the Champ du Mars. I noticed that I'd see the same guys as I entered and left the front door of the apartment building. When the souvenir guys would ask "Are you American," my answer was always, "Not this week." At first they looked perplexed by the response. Later, they seemed to find it very funny. It has become a running gag.
Bonne Nuit
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