No, not oranges, but Orange, the mobile phone provider. The plan today is to get a French SIM to make it easier (and cheaper) to stay in touch with those at home by text message and phone calls. The nearest Orange store turns out to be in the next street, a mere 5 minute walk.
The concierge is very helpful, speaks quite good English, takes my details and asks me to wait on the (orange) couch. A few minutes later his colleague calls my name, and then cheerfully tells me that "no" he doesn't speak English! Oh dear, well I am in Paris after all......... So, with a mixture of key words (both of us - it turns out that he does actually have a few useful words like "no data" and "prepaid"), pointing at the computer screen, smiling and nodding - well I AM an augmentative communication specialist after all ;-) - we manage to set me up with a prepaid SIM that will serve the primary purpose.
Today the weather is wet and cold, after starting off with some lovely snow that doesn't last but turns to drizzle from a dreary grey sky. I'd originally planned to go a little further afield to orient myself to my French language school, but in the end I decide to explore a couple more supermarkets closer to home and wait for a kinder weather day to venture further. After my success at Carrefour yesterday, I've made a list of additional things I need, including a vegetable peeler (how does one peel a carrot without this??) and something in which to brew my kukicha tea (yes, for those who know what I'm talking about I brought my sticks with me).
My first supermarket stop is the local Marche Franprix, just a small store where it becomes quickly obvious that I won't be finding what I'm looking for. I do enjoy browsing though, there's something quite satisfying about reading the French labels and descriptions and successfully working out what's inside the packet or tin!!
Later in the day I try the Monoprix, a much bigger supermarket with a wonderful variety of food, but alas no kitchen utensils. Again, I enjoy browsing and choosing things to buy for dinner. A chicken and mushroom risotto is on the menu tonight (taste.com has come to France with me!!!), and I'm sure I'll manage to whip that up in my little kitchen with no problems at all.
On my way home I spot a homewares store, and pop in to see what I can find in the way of kitchen utensils. Surely here I'll find what I'm looking for........... I could buy a teapot but it doesn't quite work for kukicha tea, which needs to be boiled, so what I end up getting is a cute little non-stick milk pan that holds about 300ml. I also find a perfect little tea strainer. And with that success, I promptly forget about the vegetable peeler!! Oh well.
Back in my apartment, and after a Skype with my beautiful husband, I make the risotto as planned and it turns out to be delicious and very satisfying on a cold night :-)
And there ends my second day in Paris. I'm starting to feel more at home in this beautiful city, now I just need to master a little more of the language (and find a vegetable peeler)!!!
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