Canal St Martin, 19th and museum of musical instruments

This morning I didnot go to my normal bar for a coffee and croissant but walked  through the 3rd arrondissemnt to the 10th to another place on my list - and many other peoples  judging by how full it was 5 mintes after opening time ( at least, what their website says). I had poached eggs and mushrooms, not that I'm homesick or anything, but it was delicious.  Then I walked alongthe canal St Martin - very pleasant .  Nice cafes and shops inerspersed with apartment buildings along the route. It felt a bit more relaxed than other parts of Paris. It widened out when it got into the 19th arrondissement. Still very pleasant, but fewer cafes.  There was a small 'marina' - more like a pontoon with 20 houseboats  tied up.  See photo below. As I got nearer the end- or rather when the canal goes into a big park, there were loud noises which turned out to be a very noisy food market.  I had a quick look in. The signs were all in French but I donot think what the spruikers were calling out was French.  It was not Asian. I had not seen many people wandering around so I have no idea.

Just  before I left the canal, I stopped for another cup of coffee at another of the places on my list (only 3 arrondissement to go) . Then I walked to a place that looks on the map like it was a green park, but now is a huge musical complex with several auditoriums, musical instrument shops, practise rooms, meeting rooms, an exhibition space and a museum of musical instruments - why I was there.  Lots of very peculiar looking things - a good audio guide which often had muic played by the instrument, interesting bits and pieces. It was very hard to take photos  of individual instruments - other instruments in the way and many reflections.

Then I walked a few more kilometers south though the streets of the 19th. It was predominantly a Jewish area until I got to a large park , the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, which reminded me a bit of Central Park in NY. It was nice to walk through and see so many people wandering around.  I got to the place I was heading for, again on my list, whose website said it was open for lunch. Not so today. So I went to another place and the queue was out the door ( by this stage it was 1.30). So I went further on and stopped at the first non-Asian, non-northern African restaurant that had at least 1 or 2 women sitting with the predominantly male customers. I walked for a while! I had an OK lunch. Cheap and tasty enough, though I have no idea what the entree was . Of the 5 words in the description I only recognised one - the generic word for poultry.  It was a fried meatball of minced poultry - but which bit? I rather think it might be something I would not have chosen, however it was the only one on the menu of the day.  I caught a train back after lunch.

There is a boulangerie around the corner from me which has excellent salads. One does me for 2 days.  The lady recognises me,. She knows I am learning French, she always addresses me in French, though I know she speaks English . I normally get the money right, except I always stumble on 80 - in French quatre vingt - 4 20.  Specially at the end of the day.  I usually only buy the salad - 6.50 , but today bought a small macaroon, so it was 7.80, except I go out 7.40. She just looked at me , smiling, and waggled her finger, no no, in a friendly manner. Not the first time she has done that.  I said I would definitely get it right next time. I had better because she will remember.

I do ike the same bare trees that are everywhere. Trouble is, I am coming to the opinion that I need to see them with leaves on.

This was the smallest of the houseboats. Just right for 2 people. You may have to blow the photo up to see its name  -' La Decadence' and the other sign that says ' A vendre'. Buying a box of 106 tiny balls of cotton is one thing, but this is way off the scale. But I did smile and daydream.

Parc des Buttes Chumont. There is grass on the left and the other green stuff on the right is water.

 

An archiluth  ( early 17th century) with 28 strings on the left  and a basoon russe ( early 18th century)  on the right. I could not get a photo with the creatures eyes, but they looked quite fierce.