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20 Comments

  1. Susan Fureigh
    September 23, 2022 @ 3:44 am

    Linda, you are such an inspired writer!

    Your posts have enriched my life so much!
    Blessings to you and Bernie, especially for safe travel back to the states!

    Reply

  2. Nancy Colin
    September 23, 2022 @ 3:58 am

    Thanks for the memories. I have eagerly anticipated each blog as I sank in to my spot in the sunroom each morning. You are gifted at bringing all the sights, food, art and education to our corners. My gratitude to you and Bernie for all the enjoyment.

    Reply

  3. Ann
    September 23, 2022 @ 10:57 am

    I will miss our early mornings “together” with coffee. I have so enjoyed your blogs over the last couple of years. I know it takes a lot to put together the wonderful pictures and narrative but please know that it is greatly appreciated by me and many others. Wishing you and Bernie safe travels, good health, and more adventures in Paris. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply

  4. Monica & Marlyn
    September 23, 2022 @ 11:22 am

    Linda, this was a beautiful summary. We will carry some of these thoughts with us for a long time. So much of what you say about the changes in Paris applies to the changes in our country, too, Best chuckle of the day was learning not to order le plat de jour. We are so glad that fate brought you and Bernie together, took you both to Paris, and brought you into our lives, as well.

    Safe travels! Great adventures! Go hand in hand to whatever comes next!

    Reply

  5. Cindi
    September 23, 2022 @ 12:13 pm

    Thank you for taking us along your interesting, sometimes frustrating, lovely, funny and always changing travels to Paris.

    Reply

  6. PAT
    September 23, 2022 @ 12:32 pm

    Terrific summary! Thanks for entertaining and educating us again this summer. Have a nice trip home, rest a little, then start planning next year’s trip. Thank you. Pat

    Reply

  7. Peggy B
    September 23, 2022 @ 1:11 pm

    Any time in Paris is a good time. Glad you were able to make lemonade from those lemons. I am counting on your health issues being under control so you can enjoy another summer in Paris.

    Reply

  8. Judy Gattis
    September 23, 2022 @ 1:33 pm

    A perfect concluding remark to a thoroughly enlightening blog. Safe travels, dear friends. Hope we can get together, however briefly, before we leave on the 3rd for our “adventure.”

    Reply

  9. Sophia B
    September 23, 2022 @ 1:56 pm

    Linda, I agree with the tattoos. We toured a little of California in August. Tattoos and vaping were everywhere. Since we have been pretty much isolated for over 2 years I had not seen so many tattoos. At times it was disturbing.

    Reply

  10. Ann Rivard
    September 23, 2022 @ 2:00 pm

    I am so sad to see your blog come to the end, Linda. What an adventure this has been. And what a lovely time you’ve made of it, in spite of adversities.

    I hope you are feeling much better. I cannot thank you enough for sharing this summer of adventure with all of us. It has truly been a delight and an inspiration. You and Bernie are so amazing! I love today’s selfie especially.

    Safe travels, and welcome home!

    All my best regards,
    Ann

    Reply

  11. Bonnie
    September 23, 2022 @ 2:22 pm

    Linda, What a wonderful wrap-up to your time in Pairs. Having been there many times myself and always eager to return, your comments of life there were perfect. It is a wonderful city and also has all the drawbacks of big city life – Romantic and frustrating. I wonder how the French will survive without the heaters on the patios. We’ll stay tuned I guess. It takes time to build relationships with shopkeepers – your own boulangerie etc. I think that was a big factor in your feeling that you never quite settled into the new place. As you said location means a lot as well as feeling comfortable when being on the street.
    Thanks for taking us along with you these past months. It’s been such fun to read your musings each morning. I will truly miss them. Safe travels home. One’s own bed is always welcomed at the end of our travels. Best to you ad Bernie in the coming year. I’m hoping you have another year or two of visiting this wonderful city. n I’ll be looking for you in July, 2023

    Reply

  12. Penny Billings
    September 23, 2022 @ 3:32 pm

    I always look forward to starting my mornings with your blog. Safe travels!

    Reply

  13. Donna L Rush
    September 23, 2022 @ 4:44 pm

    What a wonderful, honest reflection of your special time in Paris. Thank you for taking us along with your words and photos. I was caregiving during this period and your wonderful blog was a welcome distraction from some dark days. I certainly hope you both return to the city you love.

    Reply

  14. Natalie
    September 23, 2022 @ 5:55 pm

    Very good post. The 4th is the best way to do Paris!! Coke, for Americans, is yuck- no bubbles as they say. Mom I truly thought the metro went all directions as seen seen on the map and it turns 90 degree angles sometimes. I hope your health will cooperate for next year!!

    FYI: Mom & Bernie made it to the states around noon today 🙂

    Reply

  15. Natalie
    September 23, 2022 @ 6:10 pm

    If you want to share:

    My 3rd trip to Paris- so blessed. Times I will forever treasure. I took my friend, Lisa Sellers, this year. It was her first plane ride, first… EVERYTHING! I thought we would share her perspective as well as our overall observations, FYI. Enjoy! 🇫🇷

    Lisa’s Thoughts:
    •Initially she felt like she was in a movie; mainly b/c so much of it she had seen in movies and it was hard to grasp she was actually there.
    •The driving/traffic freaked her out, lol. They drive like maniacs, she said. Sometimes there weren’t lanes so they just “go!” Bikes, motorcycles, vehicles, etc.
    •Lack of A/C sucked… I’ve been lucky the other two trips but this one had some super hot days over 100° – it’s a dry heat which is very stifling. 
    •Everything was BEAUTIFUL!
    •She loved how during the day everything came to life b/c late at night shops closed up to an abandoned appearance. Conversely, she couldn’t believe how many people were out at night, esp by the river.
    •Her impression of Parisions: chill/eating/enjoying life. More laid back; do what they want when they want. Carefree. (I started noticing many of the people eating were young, no big families as they must be at home)
    •She liked how you go through a small, random door to get to the apartments and once through, voila, a huge courtyard and apartments that you wouldn’t have realized from the road.
    •She was surprised by the scheming of the pickpocketers- which we were involved with on the way to Disneyland Paris!!
    •She thought Linda Spalla (mom) & Bernie were sweet; especially enjoyed Bernie’s humor.

    Overall random observations of Paris vs Home:
    •Staying daylight until after 10pm was awesome!
    •Hottest part of the day is 5-7pm
    • Paris is most enjoyable and it’s more typical summer temperatures of 70s and 80s!
    •Many many more stairs!
    •Lots of smoking – yuck.
    •Doggies walking the streets, in cafe’s and even indoors at the mall (some not on leashes) just tranquil with their owners.
    •Not many children; they were present but calm and in the moment. No toys/devices.
    •Love everything fresh right on the street below the apartments (flowers, chocolates, meats, fruits, etc.) but they do have Carefours and Monoprix for larger stores here and there.
    •So many cafe’s!
    •B/c in the city, everything is so compact with ppl living in large buildings rather than separated into houses and dining tables tiny/close together so people seem more bonded into an overall sense of comradery and community.
    •The yard for so many people is the Seine river edge and parks around town (much like NYC)
    •Small spaces (elevators, rooms, even eating tables)
    •Tip is already factored in the price, thus the price is different if you dine in vs to go.
    •Beggers (with their pets)
    •Entertainers on the streets too!
    •Some (mostly older) people could withstand the heat in long shirts and blazers – OMG
    •The constant change of smells…nice and then garbage…nice and then smoke, etc.
    •Generally friendly and helpful are the Parisians; almost everyone speaks English and are taught early in school
    •Stores open later (likely b/c they’re open until later at night)
    •Coke was gross – flat and too much sugar
    •Desserts were YUM
    •Love their coffee! Richer & didn’t need the “extras” we doctor ours up with.
    •Bread always good!
    •Cobblestone galore
    •Have to ask for ice w drinks
    •Churches were magnificent & mostly if not all Catholic with Nuns, etc.
    •Everything is so old and architecturally gorgeous
    •Former kings palaces (huge and usually in U shape) are now museums (Louvre), government buildings or apartments perhaps…preserved.
    •Military just walking around randomly with finger on the trigger of their assault rifles
    •Vehicles much small
    •Sirens constantly
    •Metro is kind of dirty but such an efficient way to get around if you’re willing to brave it. You’re like a mole traveling in underground tunnels to pop out right where you need to be!
    •Toilets mostly don’t have seats like ours do…just the “rim” and there are public toilets out in the streets in these little containers. Once you leave the whole thing self washes.
    •Sometimes you realize you are walking in a bike lane or a road – oops!
    •Many statues/monuments…they have a great appreciation for their history.
    •They preserve history and don’t tear it down.
    •Hardly any grass except in the parks (like NYC)
    •Neat how they clean the streets… they will release water and it follows gravity along the edges of the roads and back down into a drain, washing away any leaves, debris and especially cigarettes. 
    •They eat a lot of raw meat…and drink a lot of alcohol!!
    •Less preservatives – food is much better for you and tastes pure
    •Hard to get the waiters to bring the bill…nothing is rushed in Paris!
    •Being late isn’t a surprise…my kind of people, ha!
    •Many young Europeans we spoke with know multiple languages (English, French, Spanish & Italian esp)
    •Presentation is ever-present…display windows, food, etc.

    Reply

  16. Judy Gattis
    September 23, 2022 @ 9:55 pm

    Natalie, so good to get your perspective!

    Reply

  17. PAT
    September 24, 2022 @ 3:05 pm

    Natalie: You didn’t miss a thing. You had all your senses working. Very good. Thank you.

    Reply

  18. Anne Beckinsale
    September 26, 2022 @ 1:24 am

    Linda, may I make a suggestion regarding accommodation in Paris? I have used Apartment Hotels where one can have a studio apartment or one bedroom apartment, both of which include a functional kitchen for cooking. Apartments are serviced once a week so you don’t need to be washing bed linen. Each apartment hotel has a laundromat in its basement for personal laundry by using a token or coins. Each also has breakfast available for a fee or make your own in your kitchen. I have stayed at Citadine Apartments in London and Paris. Best one was right on river Seine near Pont Neuf. Citadines Appartement Hôtel, Saint Germain des Près.
    I have enjoyed your Vlog this Summer and send greetings from Australia.

    Reply

    • lspalla
      September 26, 2022 @ 9:47 am

      Merci beaucoup!!

      Reply

  19. whoiscall
    July 21, 2023 @ 8:40 am

    Thanks

    Reply

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