The bus (#63) came along, I jumped aboard and got off a few stops later at the Institut du Monde Arabe, hoping to find the great Bedoin tents I saw on the Place last year, but they were gone, so I visited an exhibit of Egyptian objects found at the bottom of the sea in the Mediterranean and climbed up to the spectacular 9th floor terrace, whose view of Paris would be hard to be, especially on a clear day like today. Drank a pot of mint tea and read a book I have to review. Stopped off in a lecture hall where four women were talking about feminism in the Arab world, then walked home along the Quai. The shady side of the Seine, unfortunately, but still a good walk. And now I'm starting to read Ferrante all over again, because I want something Italian to read, and it's here.

Beverley Bie Brahic