Both Old and New in Paris
Dear Friends,
Nous arrivons…we have arrived on a picture perfect day in Paris. The local temp is in the low 80’s with that sharp, sunny blue sky that cuts across the landscape with a fierce crispness. It creates the penetrating light that Paris is so known for. There’s a parade blaring around La Place de la Bastille, church bells are ringing and we have delighted in seeing familiar people and images while being challenged at finding some foreign obstacles in our path. More on that later.
The flight over was perfect from a scheduling perspective. We had no problems at all, no delays, no cancelled flights. Our biggest frustration was this morning when we were met with a 45-minute, stand-in-line wait to get entry through customs. We landed at Charles de Gaulle airport instead of Orly because we flew a new airline. AND despite all the news and publicity, we had no problem in getting a taxi. The ride took one hour and was 56 euros, compared to 20 minutes and 35 euros from Orly.
However, the new airline was fantastic. It’s called La Compagnie and is owned by the same man who started L’Avion before it became Open Skies. We decided to give it a try. A business class ticket is $1400 compared to $4-5000 on Air France. The aircraft was a brand new Boeing 757 with THE most up-t0-date technology in the amazing seats. Just a push of a button and you could slightly recline or lay all the way back or have your food tray pop out! The airplane was equipped with room for only about 75 people and it was full. Everyone had a brand new Samsung pad and classy blue earphones with every imaginable entertainment delight pre-loaded in French or English. The part I liked the best were the warm, thick, clean, baby blue blankets. Not those ratty things we often get. This was like a comforter! I slept well and so did Bernie.
The special business class lounge was provided by La Compagne but we received some bad information last night by those who were working the desk. They told us that all we would get on the airplane was a little cheese and fruit and that we should eat well from their hot buffet. And we did, but the food was very mediocre. Then when we did get on board for the flight, they brought a lovely chicken caesar salad, cheese with walnuts and apricots, bread, and lemon pie. We weren’t even hungry when that meal came. Not sure what that was all about but Bernie especially was frustrated.
So what’s the good familiar stuff? We love our street on rue St. Paul though our actual address is 22 Quai Celestin. If you have Google Maps, you can most likely see exactly where we are. It’s a 7-story corner building right next to the river. And we can indeed see the towers of Notre Dame and La Tour Eiffel. We ate a late lunch at Le Bouquet St. Paul and found the same crew as last autumn which was fun, and we made our run to the Monoprix for groceries to find the same little man still working the fish market. I forgot my Jiffy p-nut better so we know exactly where to get it at the Thanksgiving shop two blocks up.
The challenges are missing our regular apartment with the large refrigerator, the dishwasher, ice trays that we bought, garbage cans in the bathroom, second bathroom, many, many more dishes and items aplenty in the refrig that you don’t have to go purchase like mustard, butter, preserves, etc. But this little spot is very cute and it’s going to work just fine. The pictures are ones I took on my iPad so not nearly as good as Bernie’s. Somehow I did not get my SD card connector into the suitcase though I distinctly remember getting it out. My pics will have to do today and we’ll go to the Apple store tomorrow and buy what we need.
Bernie can take night shots out the window, Charles Gattis, and he’s SO excited. If you want to see ALL the good pictures, go to World Wide Accommodations web site and key in 22 Quai Celestin. http://www.worldwide-accom.com/france/paris/le-marais/celestins
I’ll leave you with a funny. We spent a good ten minutes trying to figure out how to exit the front door, not of our apartment but of the entire building. And it was so simple that it was complicated. We were both SO hungry becasue it was 3pm before we headed out for lunch, and then we thought surely we were going to be stranded inside the building. We had a good laugh and now know the secret of making a quick exit. Those are the new challenges which will all fall by the wayside in a day or two. The fun of Paris will prevail and we’re so glad to have you share in our adventure.
A bientot,
Linda & Bernie
June 27, 2015 @ 4:43 pm
Bernie & Linda,
Let the adventure begin!!!!!! Enjoy all the new experiences and thanks for letting all of us tag along…
June 27, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
Well, you are making me a little sad to not be with you this year. Tell Bernie that taking night shots from the window is not the same as risking life, limb and camera equipment on the streets of Paris in the middle of the night, not at all. (Of course, I never really felt in any danger and loved every minute of it.) The new apartment looks really nice, but petite as you said. I checked the images on their website that they were obviously shot with a very wide angle lens or maybe even a fisheye. The airline looked absolutely superb! Our love and best wishes are with you both, and thanks for sharing the trip with us.
June 27, 2015 @ 7:37 pm
Many good memories from the trip last year!
June 27, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
What a cute little place! Yes, tiny, but seems very modern. Can’t wait to see some of Bernie’s night time photos. Maybe I’ll come hang out your window and perhaps get a few shots in also.
June 27, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
Absolutely!
June 27, 2015 @ 5:46 pm
Oh Linda, I saw the Paris sky as you so beautifully described it and felt all the excitement of returning to a familiar, much loved city. Honestly, your blog about Paris is brilliant and I look forward to more and more! Thank you for locating us in your new place — what a find! Also, how wonderful to know about the new airline. What airport did you connect from to this new one? I look forward to trying it on my next trip over.
June 27, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
Jeanie, thanks for your encouraging comments. Coming from you, they are a treasure. In regard to the new airline, they also only fly out of Newark…yuck. But, we really liked everything about it except landing in de Gaulle.
June 27, 2015 @ 7:45 pm
All you have missed here is thunderstorms and some much needed rain. Bob and I saw Love and Mercy last night. It’s about Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Poor Bob thought he was going to see a movie about Beach Boy songs, not mental illness. It was good but emotionally draining. Love that we can still play our Words with Friends game while you’re gone and stay connected. Love yo Bernie!
June 27, 2015 @ 7:47 pm
Only problem with Words with Friends is that you’ve been stomping me!
June 27, 2015 @ 10:38 pm
Linda, as always, enjoying following your blog posts:-) 🙂 Kevin and I have been tucking away for a Paris trip..our 25th is coming up or heck we may go before then! Interested in your airline comments. Was the.pricing you mentioned for business class -roundtrip Newark to Paris? After a disappointing experience w US Air last May to London (thankfully saved by being rebooked on British Airways!!), we are interested in this new airline for possible Paris adventure 🙂
June 27, 2015 @ 10:42 pm
Yes, round-trip Newark to Paris. Glad you are following along!
June 28, 2015 @ 2:06 am
Oh Linda,
I’m so happy you are there and happy with your selection. It is small. Our bedroom is 400 sq. ft.! But, I know you’ll love be cool and have the marvelous views of the river along with everything else. Washing dishes isn’t s bad. Think of all you and Bernie will have to talk about. It’s finally rained and only 81 out right now-9:10 PM.
June 28, 2015 @ 6:52 am
So nice to hear from you!
June 28, 2015 @ 12:05 pm
So glad you are getting settled. It is truly a blessing you were able to make the trip this year! Hard to believe this is year 11. I looked at a great webcam of Montmartre (our best Paris memory) yesterday and as you said the sky was just pristine. The kids send their love! Chris
June 28, 2015 @ 1:38 pm
Hi son,
Great to hear from you. Yes, given January 20th, then the surgery and then the weeks of immobilization, it is a blessing! I’m doing very well, except for a little swelling of my feet but think that will dissipate when I’m completely over the long flight. Hope you saw all the pics of the airplane. My biggest regret is not having all of you coming over this time. But next year, we should be back at 42 Rue St. Paul and have room for everyone!
Love to all,
Mom