Ok, the picture has nothing to do with groceries. People love their pigeons...I have seen more than one person let these filthy critters on them.

Mom asked about produce stands. In 'my' neighborhood there are grocery storys (maybe 2-3 aisles long) with some produce, but there are also open air produce stands. i went through one yesterday, and the produce looked good. I'll try to get some pics to post.

Other shops are just as you would image. There are cheese shops, chocolate shops, pharmacies, butchers, bakeries, gelato, etc. Same with clothing and shoes...little boutiques everywhere. I don't know that I have seen an empty storefront yet. I know of more 'mega stores" but I haven't stopped in any, but I've walked by them. Walmart they are not. Cafes are everywhere. There is a chain of stores called Picards that exclusively sell frozen food. However, this is good stuff, not Stouffers. I had read a lot about Picards on the travel forums, and there is one close to the apartment. I have bought most of my dinners there. for all the foodies reading this, I'm a big disappointment. Eating out has never been a big thrill for me.

Also, the French (and the Brits) really are thinner than Americans...by far. That was another thing I noticed in church tonight. Yes, they walk a lot more than we do. However, there is so many more smokers over here. Whenever you leave a building there is a huddle of people lighting up. London and Paris both have smoking bans in their restaurants, so all the smokers eat outside.

Bacon: I'm on vacation, I'm eating bacon. I had the best bacon of my life in London. It was called "back bacon", and it was thick...even thicker than American "think cut" bacon, and much larger than American bacon; more like a slice of ham. French bacon is well thinner than American bacon, and I don't like it nearly as well. However, they both are wonderfully salty. And they both are sold in small quantities, about 6 slices, which I really like.

I'll do some window food shopping and post pictures.