At 7pm the sun was still high in the sky. We would have daylight for at least another three hour, so we walked north on Avenue General LeClerc towards the 6th arrondissement. We got lost through the streets lined with 19th century buildings with modern shops (grocery stores, cell phone boutiques, and restaurants) on their ground floors. Eventually we hit the famous Montparnasse cemetery where famous French elites and intellectuals are buried (as well as Jimmy Hendrix). I personally find it strange that a place where dead people are buried is a tourist attraction. Since we were there, we thought we would walk around. Unfortunately, it does have business hours (8am-5:30pm M-Sa and 9am-5:30 pm Sundays). We'll have to come back on a different day.
We headed back towards the apartment to find some dinner. There was this corner bistro (Le Verre Siffleur) I pass on my way home each day. It is always lively and full of Parisians which seems like a sign of a good restaurant. I was right. This place had good food and was also a good place for people watching. Thomas and I enjoyed a bottle of cote du rhone wine that went nicely with our steak au poivre entree. As we savored our steak cooked a point (medium) we watched couples meeting for a date (one guy surprised his girl friend with a bouquet of flowers - bien fait!.), we saw a women whose date never showed up, and a bunch more Parisians chatting and enjoying the beautiful evening weather.
Not wanting the evening to end just yet, we ordered profiteroles and coffee for dessert. A good choice. Three dainty pastries stuffed with vanilla ice cream came out. A small pitcher full of dark, thick, warm chocolate accompanied them. It took every ounce of will power to patiently and gracefully eat these decadent delights and not swallow each whole.
We left the restaurant around 10pm and the sun was just about to set on the horizon. Now I understand why Parisians stay out late socializing and go into work late the next day- because they can.
