Discovering a Different Paris
Bonjour,
Rain was in the forecast yesterday (though none came) and we did one of our usual rainy day activities: a subway ride out to La Defense to the huge interior shopping mall Quatre Temps. On the walk to our subway, whom should we meet but our friend, Richard Nahem. He was waiting on some tour guides to give them a tour of Le Marais. How delightful it is to run into people we know. 
The shopping mall is usually jammed with people especially in July with Les SOLDES or big sales. Not true yesterday. It was as sparse as we’ve ever seen it and kind of nice. We had five or six items we needed and found all but one so good results. Oh yes, there was more green!
And the trappings of COVID were everywhere. The French take this very seriously.
Our afternoons are spent in the apartment watching Le Tour de France right now. We’re trying to eat a good lunch and a very light dinner which for me was a p-nut butter and jelly sandwich and for Bernie, ham and cheese.
Our evening stroll after dinner is a tradition that we cherish. We went back to the river to mainly look for lovers, and on the way we ran into a dog that belongs to one of the shops on rue St. Paul. He must be 13 or 14 years old and is always there. He never barks or bothers anyone. It’s his spot!!
We ran into a banner across the river that was interesting…have no idea what it meant. I thought it looked like curtains. Bernie surmised that perhaps it stood for nurses, doctors and other medical personnel who had worked so hard during the pandemic.
Along with a little boxing, we found some very old doors on Ile St. Louis and of course our lovers for the day.
Once back across the river headed home, we love to run across the old original wall of Paris close to rue Charlemagne with the colored posts.
Two things that are very different this year for us are the lack of any musicians and the scarcity of the river cruise boats along the Seine. We’ve seen only one. A lack of many tourists casts a very long shadow over Paris, but nonetheless, we are most glad to be here.
A bientôt
L & B
July 10, 2021 @ 7:25 am
Sorry mom 😜 Was that “statue” alive? I bet Bernie is right about the “banner” – it looks like their scrub pants. Nice gesture. See you soon!!
July 10, 2021 @ 12:27 pm
Yes, the statue is a mime. He is alive, doesn’t move or speak. Great concentration to stand like you about to fall off the pedestal. If you take a photo, it’s customary to leave a euro.
July 10, 2021 @ 11:42 am
It sounds like you are settling into some of the routines you and Bernie enjoy. It is indeed odd to view your photos without the busy scenes you are familiar with. Depending on that darn Delta variant perhaps people will begin to venture out later this summer.
July 10, 2021 @ 12:02 pm
The green has been fun. You’ll see it show up in some of my drawings soon. The lovers are fun, too– one pair had matching shoes. Bet you are getting excited about your family’s arrival.
July 10, 2021 @ 12:13 pm
Enjoyed your posts as always! Safe travels to your family and I know lots of fun and adventures are planned.
July 10, 2021 @ 2:56 pm
Natalie, hope ur visit is super! Linda, it seems to me the pictures of these lovers were easier to capture since they’re out in the open with less crowds. Lovely 💖
July 10, 2021 @ 6:18 pm
Parisians are really creative, love the watering can with flowers and grass to make it look like it was watering the pot below.
Does the colorful posts on the wall have any significance?
July 10, 2021 @ 6:28 pm
Melanie, we dont’ know the answer about the multi-colored posts but they are cheerful. There is a high school directly across from the ones in the picture. This is not the gay district so I don’t think it has anything to do with LGBTQ.
July 10, 2021 @ 7:39 pm
The watering can was great. Looked like you caught one couple from 2 different angles. I wish you could get some of them to wave and say hello to your friends around the world. I hope Bernie and you are enjoying some the the incredible exciting finishes in Le Tour.
July 11, 2021 @ 3:14 am
Actually, most of these folks are French because there are very few tourists. They do NOT like their picture taken so I have to be super discreet.
July 10, 2021 @ 8:48 pm
The flowers and watering can has to be one of my all time favs. So creative. Natalie should be there soon!👏🏻
July 10, 2021 @ 10:06 pm
I agree with Bernie on the flags/banner. At first I thought they were scrub pants! Maybe green should have been your theme since there seems to be plenty.
July 12, 2021 @ 3:58 pm
Love all of your posts!!!