Day 16: Au Revoire

Today was spent lazily wandering the Marais and shopping. Clouds moved back in, and merchants returned to their posts smoking cigarettes in the doorways of their shops. We collected a few souvenirs for friends, and a few articles of clothing for ourselves. Greg tried on a handsome grey cowl necked sweater and a pair of slate colored pants that fit like a glove. "We'll think about it." We said as we left. "Don't think too long." the couturier replied with a knowing smile "When it's right, it's right." Boy, has he got Greg pegged I thought to myself. Sure enough half a block away Greg doubled back to purchase the whole ensemble. A bag containing a beautiful purple paisley scarf  that caught my eye soon dangled next to Greg's.

   Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the afternoon sky interrupting our shopping reverie. As thunder rolled through the humid air and large raindrops began to fall we dashed into a little cafe for lunch. Sitting under the awning and watching the rain fall we amused ourselves with fantasies of selling all our worldly belongings and moving to Paris. By the time we had worked out most of the totally unrealistic details the sun had returned, and lunch was finished.

   With heavy hearts we finally began walking back to the hotel to retrieve our bag and return to the bus station. A depressing silence descended, and in an effort to lighten the mood I turned to Greg and quipped, "Well at least now whenever things get really bad we can tell each other 'We'll always have Paris.'"