Well, our last day is over and we are about to leave... sitting on my balcony one last time to write this. :(

Yesterday was a nice, relaxing day. We explored the Ile St. Louis, which is one of the two islands in the Seine between the left and right banks. It is very quaint with small shops on narrow streets and very few people, which was great given that we have seen the size of the crowds increase a lot since we got here. Had another fabulous meal at a tiny place (maybe 8 tables) that had beamed ceilings and felt very Provencal. I had onion soup and beef bourgignon and Anne Marie had a goat cheese tartine and coq au vin. They were each just outstanding. Way too full for dessert. Can you believe it? But, we did manage to visit our neighborhood patisserie for one last treat - these incredible almond pastries. I wish I could bring some home.

It has been great observing Paris and its inhabitant for two weeks. Everyone smokes. Everyone wears a scarf knotted around their neck. Everyone has earphones in and a cell phone connected all the time. Children are well behaved and men are very hands-on with their kids. People walk their dogs without leashes on very busy streets but the dogs seem to be well trained. Traffic is nuts - motorcycles, buses, cars and bikes all vying for the same spot, but it all seems to work. the men seem more stylish than the women - especially professional men who wear beautiful suits. Most women seem very average - no fake boobs, spray tans or teeth bleached so white they blind you - and they dress very casually. Some do prance around in high heels, though, and it amazes me.

We have met nothing but kind, helpful, fun people. The rumors of Parisians being rude is just not true. I love everything about this place and can't wait to come back.