Post Paris

My dear Friends

Paris was everything I expected, and more. And the unexpected happened too: for example I was staying in a busy neighbourhood and it was noisy at night. I have got used to it over the various visits as a nice change from Cambridge, but I was unprepared for the commotion last Friday night around midnight. Gazing over the balcony, I saw 100 people on roller skates!Apparently Friday night in Paris is roller skating night, and they happen to arrive in my neighbourhood around midnight. Following in the wake of the last roller, were three large police wagons to ensure that everyone was alright on the unpredictable roads.

Alexia took me to the Bois de Vincennes, a beautiful park not far from my hotel. The lake was a little like Regents Park, a lone swan hovered over the water and a sole Canadian goose (looking for its partner?) while runners, young and old passed us sitting idly on a park bench. Alexia counted at least 5 laps for a middle-aged man who still went round happliy! Alexia is trying to encourage me to take up a sport, but my maxim at the moment is Mark Twain's:

'whenever I feel the urge to exercise coming on, lie down until it goes away again!'

A bientot!
Sister Gila