Monseur Mondo disembarques

This week Mondo is mostly spending time with the Parisians and contrary to popular fables they are neither rude nor obnoxious (in complete contrast to a rather unpleasant gentleman I had the misfortune to be behind passing through security on the way here - more of him some other time). This may be in part due to the weather that has bathed the city in unseasonally pleasant sunshine and warmth or it may be down to the fact that outside of the office I have attempted albeit very poorly to practice my rather poor française on their cultured lug holes and not resorted to assuming they’ll automatically jump at the joy of being conversed with in English.

After a somewhat long day of commuting and working, the stroll across the Seine to the apartment was refreshing and everything that you want Paris to be. Pavement cafés with beer and coffee being leisurely supped. Canopied tabacs selling stacks of Gaullois and Gittannes. Cars moving in a slow procession down narrow streets lined on both sides by small Renaults and Peugeots while scooters and motorbikes weave their way effortlessly through a seemingly impenetrable interlocking mass of vehicles.

The apartment is small but functional and on the premier etages of a block of flats set back from the road by some small shrubs from the narrow pavement. A single bed, whicker chair, small desk and chest of drawers make up the high ceilinged living room that doubles as a bedroom. This is reached through the hallway that also doubles as a galley style kitchen. Off the bedroom is the bathroom.

The heating had been on all day but coolness was introduced very pleasantly by opening the tall apartment windows that overlook the internal courtyard, complete with 1 foot high cast iron ballustrade and a windowsill you can perch on and read a book if the mood take you. All in all a very pleasant retreat to come back to.

This evening’s meal was a simple baguette, butter and cheese affair with a glass of wine – after having observed so many clichés but one it would have been a shame to spoil it all by not indulging in a couple myself.