Yeah, a black Mercedes E-Class. In Paris, taxis are usually black or silver in colour (as compared to the yellow cabs in NYC). I expected a C-Class. After I see other cars trying to pass my taxi, I understood.

My taxi driver could hardly speak English. When we were in a congestion getting into the city, I asked if heavy traffic is a common scene. To my surprise, he told me that was not a congestion as lots of people have been on vacation. When they come back, the whole road gets smoky. Aw!

1. Go to Post Office
2. Get a Hair Cut
3. Buy skincare for my dry skin
4. Buy hand-made chocolates

I deliberately planned to do sightseeing later. I know when I meet up with my companions later, I will have less chances to experience life as a local.

Hmm.. I was hungry during shopping, and I went to a pie shop called Tarte Julie inside Forum des Halles mall which seemed popular for locals. I had a quiche and some milk. Apparently Parisians like pies a lot, both sweet and savoury.

Art work is prevalent, anywhere everywhere.

On my way to the Post Office, a lady stopped me in the street and asked me where the metro station is. I couldn't respond in French quickly, so I turned around and pointed straight ahead as I just passed by it 2 blocks away. She said, "Straight ahead?" I couldn't say anything more than "Yes." She said "Thank you" but I couldn't say "You're welcome." Arrh.. I gotta speak up next time.

At the Post Office, I still couldn't speak up much. I forgot all my vocabulary about stamps and I had trouble hearing numbers. I looked at the electronic display to figure out how much I should pay. But I was getting better. I asked the cashier where is the metro station and I understood her directions.

Get a Hair Cut

I wanted to get a haircut before Alfred & Jeannet's wedding. Work was driving me nuts and I didn't have time. I was working at home every night that week, including the Saturday right before the wedding. As a colleague suggested, I would get a fashionable cut in Paris. Yeah~

I decided to go to the city centre. Simply, if my French couldn't handle a haircut, at least I hope the stylist understand some English!

I wanted to brush up my French more and decided to do a little shopping first. Then I picked a seemingly reputable hairdresser chain-store Franck Provost to get a cut. I wouldn't want a too funky look, so paying a bit more was alright.

To the receptionist, washer, stylist, I am this quiet shy girl. I had trouble understanding some instructions when they asked me to move my feet, take off my jacket, put down my umbrella, etc. It was a good French aural lesson. ho ho.

The stylist asked me how I want my cut. I was silent. I really had no idea and I asked her to suggest. When she finished cutting and styling, I thanked her and said it's very modern. She was delighted and told me to style it like she does everyday. Somehow I just couldn't repeat how she styled my hair....

I ended up paying €45 including 19% VAT (tax) and tips. She didn't seem to expect tips from me.

Buy skincare for my dry skin

Before I got my hair cut, I went shopping, if you recalled. At first, I bought the shea butter body lotion because the mosquito bites I got from Van Dusen Garden were giving me allergies as Horace noticed during the banquet. The cashier asked if I was on their preferred client list. She thought I live in France so I told her I live in Canada.

I returned to the L'Occitane shop after my haircut. I realized I would need to walk a lot in the next 2 weeks, so better get a travel size foot cream. I also picked up a travel size hand cream and pure shea butter for my chapped lips. Again, the cashier asked me if I was on their preferred client list. She already forgot I came from Canada!

Buy hand-made chocolates

I researched ahead of time that there is a prestigious chocolate maker that makes chocolate according to traditional methods, no animal fat, no milk, no butter, all made with cocoa butter, called Charles Chocolatier.

I spent a lot of time inside the shop deciding what to get. Individually wrapped pieces  would be good to give out to colleagues. Assorted would be good for family. Then a chatty British came into the shop. He isn't good in French so I became a translator. He told me he's a Scottish lawyer and I let him assume I am a Science student. I looked puzzled. He asked me to pardon him as he had been drunk. I thought so too.

I walked from city centre (2e arr) to my hotel (13e arr). It was a long walk and I found many interesting things along the way.

Surely I was hungry mid-way. What's more French than a cup of café au lait and crêpe? 

Charger for Electric Car?!

No Alcohol.

But if you don't read French, how would you know?

In city centre, every 50 m, you see one of these. Green is for rubbish, Yellow is for recycling.

Arrh, I was thrilled. What's that big green tank? To capture aliens? Recycle please! Wow, I guess Parisians do dispose lots of bottles.

Of course not all of the photographs were taken on Day 1.

My feet were sore by the time I got back in the evening. I had to massage my feet, ho ho.