FASHIONABLE PARIS

Today we did a little bit of last-minute shopping and Dad had to go to the department stores because he found out that he can claim back some of the TVA (like our GST) tax by getting forms to lodge at Customs at the airport. We also bought our RER tickets to get to CDG airport and some 2-day Metro tickets for our last days travelling around the city. A normal Metro ticket costs 1.60 Euros but it only lasts for an hour - you can jump on and off Metro trains for an hour but then you need a new ticket. Instead, most people buy monthly tickets which allow them to jump on and off all day every day for a month. We have been buying 5-day tickets but only needed a 2-day ticket each now. On the way to doing all this boring stuff, we went through Ile de la Cite (where Notre Dame is) and from there to Ile de Saint Louis, the second island in The Seine. We got a different view of The Seine while eating an Italian ice-cream - very yummy. After we did the boring stuff, we went to rue du Faubourg St. Honore, a long street filled with expensive fashion. This is where all the big fashion houses and big designers, like Valentino, have their stores. After that, we took off for home on the Metro but got off early to have some much-needed sushi for dinner. Then back on the Metro for home. I don't know how Paris would operate without The Metro - it could not function very well without it.