A low-key day and illegal operations

Upon our return from London, we decided to chill out for a day and catch up on laundry. Luckily, the place we are staying does have a washing machine for our floor to use (upon payment, of course). So after a search for laundry detergent (not as easy as you would think-the store kept it behind a chained off area and it's easily confused with fabric softener if you don't know French), we began our day experimenting with the washer and dryer. We figured out a way to use it, although I'm sure it's not quite right. Once again, it would help tremendously to know at least as much French as I do Spanish; next time, I may head to Spain.

We did manage to fit in a few things late Sunday afternoon and night. Never completely wasting a day in Paris :) we set out to see Sainte-Chapelle, but it was closed for a concert. So we found this delicious food at a cafe across the street. Seriously, yum. Everything is so fresh here.








And took a stroll around Notre-Dame's island where we found the Hotel de Ville (it houses the city administration and the Mayor of Paris).







And the mall by the same name.



We then decided to head to the Eiffel Tower again so we could see it at night. We were about two hours early, but we were graciously entertained. While sitting on the lawn, Kody and I were approached by a man trying to sell us champagne and wine. He looked kind of sketch, so we politely declined. After a while, we joined my mom on a bench next to a cluster of thrash bins. From here, we could see a group of about 10 men trying to sell champagne, wine, and roses to all passerby. Their holding bins? The trash bins and nearby bushes. That's right, once they sold a bottle or needed more roses, they headed to our nearby trash cans to pull out another bunch. Their practices are apparently illegal (as they all scattered as soon as one shouted "policia!"), and this is how they keep the majority concealed. No worries, they keep the bottles in plastic bags and they are sealed. It was thoroughly entertaining to watch this not so secret operation first hand. Ha

Just a word to the wise should you ever want champagne at the Eiffel Tower-take your own.

At 11 pm the tower lit up and did it's sparkling show. Truly, another beautiful side to this amazing creation.










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Location:Rue Laromiguière,Paris,France