I went to the Victor Hugo market for some quick shopping. Needed a baguette and some Jambon de Bodega so I could make lunch.

After the shopping, I made lunch and decided to have a picnic on the side of the Canal de Brienne. I chose that location as it was windy again and I did not want to be on the river with the brisk breeze. I found a nice set of steps that were on the canal bank and set up my picnic lunch. I did it the more European way as I brought wine with me for my picnic. I am not used to the consummation of alcohol in public spaces as that is not really allowed in the United States. I enjoyed the quite picnic and reading in a lovely spot.

When I got back, I heard a knock on the door. It surprised me as I do not usually get visitors. It was a young lady and in our broken English/French, she asked if I was renting and I said yes. She had seen the lockbox on the door frame and wanted to know how I had gotten into the building so I could the key to the apartment. I apartment complex has a security system on it where visitors have to call up to an apartment to enter. I explained I was not sure how it worked but I showed her how I was instructed to call an apartment number and the door automatically unlocked and then how I did that at the building the apartment was in as well. It was amusing how we used Google translate, French and English in this little exercise. It turns out that her parents own the apartment opposite mine and use it as an Airbnb as well. She always has to come meet the people who are renting their Airbnb so it is not particularly convenient. She wanted to figure out how the owner of mine made it easy to access. I gave here the name and phone number of the person who owns my Airbnb.

I had dinner at usual at Le Panache which is very good as always. Diego made me his signature cocktail for the evening which as a fruity strawberry drink but was very good. I find that Europeans seem to go for the more exotic cocktails rather than martinis or Old Fashions. I am working my way through the menu at Le Panache. Last night was grilled octopus in harissa sauce with roasted carrots. The carrots were whole and had been roasted and had a great caramelized skin on them. It was really good. I started with the grilled shrimp which is one of my favorites.