C’est Complique…It’s Complicated in Paris
Bonjour,
We love doing the blog for you and do so appreciate all the comments. I don’t always respond because there are just so many hours in the day. It is certainly not due to a lack of appreciation. Yesterday’s blog was the most involved I’ve written and took hours because of sifting through all the photos and a very slow internet for some reason. Also I use a program called Word Press to drive the blog, and often it takes on a mind of its own. That coupled with my lack of technical expertise sometimes makes for chaos and frustration. I know just enough to be dangerous. Then I read and approve your comments and realize that the effort was totally worth it!
We especially appreciate all the information from many of you about how to get our vaccination records into the French system before a new deadline of August 1 when French President Macron has determined that a “Vaccine Pass” will be required to get inside almost any venue. We now have all of that stored on our phones as a QR code for easy scanning. But more on that in a moment.
Lunch was later than usual and we chose a very quiet, lovely spot off La Place des Vosges. It’s a 5–star hotel called Le Pavillon de la Reine which has an elegant patio area for dining. We’ve had many guests who have stayed at this hotel but we had never eaten lunch there. It’s a bit on the expensive side but not extravagant. We shared a bowl of gazpacho and a salmon club sandwich, plus Bernie’s glass of wine for 64 euros. That’s about $70 or so. It’s a 3-4 minute walk from our apartment. (Money flies in Paris!)
Hotel de Sully is a walk-through passageway from our busy street of rue St. Antoine into La Place des Vosges where the hotel is located. People hardly notice how beautiful it is, but we certainly do.
Inside La Place des Vosges we found some interesting door knockers and the massive statue of Louis XIII. This was his palace at one time.
This car was parked nearby…front and back view. We had to laugh.
So, after lunch we started the complicated trek of working on our vaccine information. Truly appropriate is the phrase so often used in Paris…”C’est complique.” It’s complicated and everything is to some degree. If you’ve visited us here, we’ve taught you that phrase almost from the beginning.
Based on what you sent us and what we read, any “willing” pharmacist would help enter our data. That proved to be untrue. The first pharmacist told us it was impossible for her to help us, and we should go to Hotel Dieu which is a huge, dingy hospital across from Notre Dame. I suggested that we try another pharmacy. Voila, we happened upon a very helpful pharmacist who said that we should go down the street to the city hall of Paris, L’Hotel de Ville, which is a center for everything to do with vaccines. All went like clockwork after that and the very helpful attendant took our passports, our CDC card with vaccination records and entered us into the French system and onto an app which we can scan upon entry to inside venues. Whew, what a relief!
We bought our dinner at the local delicatessen that has delicious food…two quiches, cucumber salad and one of our favorite desserts made only a couple of days a week called Ile Flottante or eggs and snow. It’s a creamy custard sauce with fluffy meringue and sprinkled with slivered almonds. Sorry no photo!!
Join us now on our evening stroll up near La Bastille called L’Arsenal or the port of Paris. It is the beginning of Le Canal St. Martin, an offshoot of the river Seine. 
The doors are from Boulevard Henri Quarte (Henry IV) as we walked back to our apartment.
How would you like this building as your grocery store? In Paris everything is repurposed.
This last photo makes me sad and wistful for different days in Paris where fashion was king. We got a taste of this elegance during our first couple of years. This is an older couple very nicely dressed which we just don’t see any longer. They were past me before I could catch a frontal view. Paris today is immersed in short shorts, tennis shoes galore and massive tattoos in every imaginable place. Also lots of boobs hanging out and I do mean LOTS. Call me old but I’m not a fan of any of it! 
Tis true. We are dealing with our age this year…sore, tired arthritic feet, swollen ankles, lack of good sleep and ears that don’t hear so well anymore or as I said yesterday, a lack of our usual mo-jo. 74 and 82!! But regardless, we press on always looking for a good time and more memories! Kudos to the amazing Bernie for pushing me forward.
À bientôt
L & B
July 23, 2021 @ 10:52 am
Oh yes, how well I remember.
This appeared to be another absolutely delightful day, in spite of the trials at getting registered. True perseverance! We would have never survived that day.
July 23, 2021 @ 12:29 pm
Yes, I too remember. As to age, you two still amaze me, especially with what I am dealing with now. I had trouble keeping up with the two of you a couple of years ago. I’m positive I couldn’t now. Everything is relative. Love to you both.
July 23, 2021 @ 12:35 pm
Much love back to both of you! When do you go back to Huntsville? I’m so sorry your trip was a challenge.
July 23, 2021 @ 12:46 pm
Hooray for the health pass!
Aging is not for the faint of heart! Perseverance, courage, humor, and a never-ending curiosity are the keys and you and Bernie demonstrate those to all of us. Tired feet will pass, but memories will linger!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:58 pm
So very true!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:12 pm
Returning Aug 2, see surgeon the 4th, Jason Banks.
July 23, 2021 @ 1:20 pm
Happy to read you found a helpful pharmacist! As a general rule, pharmacist are caring, knowledgeable, kind people! I look forward to your daily blog and am reminded of the brief time “my pharmacist” and I spent in Paris back in the day!
July 23, 2021 @ 1:57 pm
Lovely comment, Janice!
July 23, 2021 @ 2:31 pm
So much to comment on here! Love your view of the place des Vosges! We make sure to get a photo of ourselves in that stone circle. We;ve also walked by that little courtyard restaurant many times but never made it in to dine. Thank you for working through the the vaccination app issue before we get there! It does indeed seem compliqué. We’ve downloaded the app, but finally decided that without a Qcode or the other thing they mentioned we couldn’t do it ourselves. So we will be off to the vaccination center ‘toot sweet’ when we arrive! Yes, the knees are weak, but the spirit is strong as you and Bernie keep showing year after year.
July 23, 2021 @ 2:43 pm
A photography compliment from you is a real prize. Merci! (Toote suite!) What time does your plane get in on the 28th? CDG or Orly?
July 23, 2021 @ 3:18 pm
Again you and Bernie showed us several sides of Paris. Enjoyed every bit of it. Thank you.
July 23, 2021 @ 11:08 pm
Kudos to both of you. You are truly inspirations. And proof that a curious mind and an adventurous spirit will add years to your life and life to your years. MUCH LOVE! Ah, to be in Paris without the hordes. Envious!!!
July 24, 2021 @ 7:20 am
Yes, it is a different Paris without all the throngs of tourists…ha! Many Parisians have already left for “vacance” while they can. Who knows what’s going to happen? Sounds like Alabama is in a big hurt with the rising COVID numbers. Stay safe and love you all as well.
July 24, 2021 @ 12:43 am
As always the photos help us see your life in Paris. I have a poster hanging in my hallway that I bought at Galerie Lisette Alibert on the Place des Vosges in 1996. It’s cheerful and reminds me of good times. Thanks for your blog and keep on walking those streets!
July 24, 2021 @ 7:14 am
Thank you, Beth!
July 24, 2021 @ 1:17 am
Linda, do you think that the entry into the French QR system went so smoothly because Bernie is a French Citizen? We’ll be facing it a little later this year…
July 24, 2021 @ 7:14 am
Earle, actually, Bernie is not a French citizen any more. He became an American citizen in his teens and served in the US military for 22 years. He has thought about getting dual citizenship but has not done it because he says he cannot split his loyalty. He was born in Paris and that of course shows up on his passport. I don’t think it had anything to do with our success because I was first in line and processed through before him by the same lady.
July 24, 2021 @ 3:01 am
Enjoy your blog but curious what phone service you are using?
July 24, 2021 @ 7:11 am
My phone is not activated for cell service because Bernie’s is. I use my phone for photos and can access Wi-Fi in our apartment for apps, texting, etc. My US provider is Verizon.
July 24, 2021 @ 11:12 am
Thank you Linda for your wonderful blog. I have enjoyed it for several years now. It’s always enjoyed with my coffee early in the morning. I love Paris! I’m not sure I’ll get back sadly as I am 74 also and just do not have the stamina I had before while traveling to Europe.
I am so glad you and Bernie are back this year and enjoying the day to day activities!
I absolutely love your pictures and narrative. Thank you again!
July 24, 2021 @ 11:37 am
Merci! Glad you are enjoying. Remind me…is this Ann Sprayberry? I know so many Ann’s.
July 24, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
Happy y’all have the vaccine app!
Lovely photos as always!
Paris is not alone in tacky outfits, tattoos and body piercing as you well know! Call me old fashion (or just OLD 😁) which I am, but I be dammed if I will succumb to going in nice restaurants without some decorum albeit no high heels anymore but hey my shoes are comfortable, however there was a day I would wear them only to a gym or out for a nice walk, however both of those activities are good memories as my joints scream at me daily 😊😉