astradele

I spent the first few days frugally.

Then I made a luxury purchase.

Now I can’t stop!!

For the second time on this trip, I find myself in an Asian restaurant, this time for Vietnamese food. The terrible weather was a factor, as was that pizza was upwards of 10 euro! So naturally, I pay 6 euro for pho.

Unlike the Thai restaurant run by Chinese, I think this place is actually run by Vietnamese. I can’t understand the language anyway. Perhaps my choice was also partially sentimental.

The rice roll wasn’t good. The canned soy milk is excellent. And the “pho”… Like a cross between bbq pork won ton mein and the pho I’m used to. It’s good though; it’s warm, tasty, and I really like cilantro.

There are many laundromats in downtown Paris it seems. Makes sense, considering how tight spaces are already.

Over the years, I’ve swung from being a heavy packer (in the day-to-day knapsack as well) to being a minimalist packer. Nearly everyone I discussed it with expressed shock and dismay that I was going away for 10 days with two small carry-ons and a few days of clothing. I often joked beforehand that I was going to wear the same underwear throughout the trip. :p

It’s surprisingly expensive to use the facilities: 4 euro for the washer. A kind, middle-aged woman directed me on what to do. The delay of a laundromat is somewhat welcome; the weather is truly miserable – cold, wet, and windy – and I can spend the time finding a decent breakfast and writing postcards.