You get what you get, and you don't get upset

Nicole says that to Adrian sometimes when he's being fussy, and it's a fitting description of Paris. Sure, Paris has tons of great shopping, food, and things to see. But one thing we've learned in our time here is never to leave the house wanting something specific.

Say for example you've heard there's a market nearby on Tuesdays and Fridays. You want some fruit and you want it now (say you're Olya and this is a Really Big Deal.) You head there on Tuesday, only to find out it was a morning-only market and you just missed it. You head back Friday at the right time, but the market is closed for the mandatory month-long Holidays.

Paris is like that, you just have to live on her rhythm. So far we've learned:

• Paris is closed on Sundays. All of it. Parisians vanish into the countryside, and tourists walk around aimlessly, and presumably hungry.
• Museums are closed on Mondays. Or Tuesdays. Or both. Or whatever day you head there.
• Shops are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. And in August.
• Strikes happen. Often. Telltale signs include groups of Policemen hanging around smoking.
• No groceries or toiletries after 6pm.
• Fire drills happen on Wednesdays. Always. Presumably, fires do not.