Day 34 September 18, 2008
You know that Nicholas Flamel isn't a figment of J.K. Rowling's imagination, right? Just checking. He really was an alchemist in search of the Philosopher's Stone. He lived here with his wife Pernelle (just like in Harry Potter!) and I visited their home. It claims to be the oldest house in Paris, but about a hundred other houses do, too. In fact, just a few streets away, a timber house makes the same "I'm older than you!" claim.
Comparing just these two houses, I'd bet my money on the timber house. I learned later that Flamel's house was cleaned up and restored so that's why it looks like a big fat liar when it claims to be the oldest.
Walking around this city, there are two (plastic) bags that you can carry to look like a Parisian: a FNAC bag or a BHV bag. FNAC is the French music and bookstore chain. Locals seem to carry their lunch or pets in them. BHV is like Sears on steroids. It's a massive department store combined with Home Depot near the Hotel de Ville (I think BHV stands for Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville) that has everything you would want unless what you want is a plug adapter. Then it's worthless.
The best part of this day was checking out a few parks that had permanent ping pong tables in them. I'm serious. Paris is awesome. The tables are made of concrete and metal. All you need is a paddle and balls and you're good to go. Parisians clearly have their priorities in order. I thought that I had enough reason to stay here with my love the Winged Victory, but now there's no way I'm leaving. I gotta run to BHV to buy a ping pong paddle and a Frenchy friend to play with.