A very soggy but musical day in Paris

Today's plan was to go and explore the Marche Aux Puces-Saint Ouen (antique flea market), home of the famous and campy Chez Lousiette restaurant tucked away amongst the vendors.

The metro ride there took us through Gare Du Nord train station, so we lucked out in being able to do a dry run of the early morning ride to board the Eurostar for London this coming Tuesday.

As warned, to get to Marche Aux Puces, you need to walk through a gauntlet of tented vendors--the type who sell clothes, shoes and sunglasses for a cheap price. We did find our way to Chez Louisette for lunch and it was everything I heard and hoped it would be:

• campy/kitchy decor
• French singers accompanied by a synthesizer and accordion
• mediocre food at high prices

It was so worth the trip! The Marche Aux Puces itself is a group of   markets, each with their own entrance, they each look a bit different from one another. It is the place to go to find large antique items for homes or offices that's for sure. We didn't stay too long and as we decided to go, the rain started pouring down. The tented vendors were running everywhere trying to protect their wares and our feet got completely soaked so that each step we took felt like a wet sponge in each shoe.

Once home, I decided to go to the West Coast Swing dance over in Ivry-Sur-Seine at L'Orchidee as recommended by some Parisian WCS dancers I had been put in touch with. Earlier in the week I was wondering about how to get there and was apprehensive about the walk from the metro station to the studio and as well walking back to the apartment if I returned by metro. Instead, I decided to splurge on two cab rides and it was so worth it! By the way, G7 Taxis are beautiful cars (on the way back home it was a Mercedes-Benz) and they can charge your cell phone for you while you ride. It was a wonderful, sweaty evening of event-quality dancing with the best DJ I've heard.

Upon arriving home, I am  super-hungry and I was irritated that I hadn't thought to pick up a fresh baguette on our way home. Instead I ate mushroom soup and wine.

I will know better next time to *always* have a baguette in the kitchen :)