Final Thoughts and True Confessions from Paris
Au revoir to our wonderful friends and family!
Our summer jaunt is done, and it’s been a different year for us in many ways. I always like to reflect in my final blog and talk about what’s been different during this visit. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been coming for twelve years. I’m so endeared to Bernie for adding a chapter to my life filled with happiness, adventure, growth, and fun. Merci beaucoup, mon Cher.
First, we have to talk about the weather. . . not the best this year. So much rain a la the flooding and so many cool, gray, drizzly days. It has been a sharp contrast to last year’s sunny skies, rainless weeks, and 100 degree days. If you were on the blog in 2015, you remember! But we have persisted, and I have endured my all-summer wardrobe malfunctions with courage and determination. Who knew that only four other people in all of Paris would be carrying a white purse? Yes, I have counted and made note everywhere we’ve gone! We had one glorious week, but now it’s cool again for mid-July. HOWEVER, I just heard the Paris weather forecast for next week and it will hit 34 or about 93 degrees.
Another significant, prevalent change has been heightened security. My white purse has been checked so many times. Places like the large department stores had chained off their multiple entrances, funneling the crowds of shoppers into only one main entry point where there was tight security. Even going into the Monoprix for groceries, we were checked. Very, very different but I suppose very good, given the attacks that have happened around the world since we have been here. The Euro Cup contributed to this, I’m sure, along with raucous but fun fans who were very into their beer! Congrats to France for some great play to get them into the finals, but, alas, a crushing loss at the end.
Certainly, this has been the year of the steps…first with 50 at our little bungalow on rue St.-Paul and for the last month, 78! It it a testament to the fact that we can get used to anything.
We discovered a favorite restaurant had shuttered its doors, and a favorite dress shop on rue de Franc Bourgeois is now a make-up store! Things change, just like at home. We were pleased to find the Louvre-Rivoli subway stop finally restored with wonderful replicas from Le Louvre. 
And the Pantheon no longer looks like a wrapped ice cream cone, having been fully restored and shining brightly in the gorgeous light of Paris.
We have met new friends in Connie and Jim Malone from NYC, and Malcolm and Antonia Alexander from London, and renewed old friendships with Richard Nahem and the neighbors along rue St.-Paul. We have loved getting to know Ann Jeanne much better and even found our favorite waiter after looking for him for three years. Benjamin used to own Le Bouquet St.-Paul, and we have missed him. He has been at the Café Georges Cinq on Les Champs all this time. He grabbed Bernie with a big bear hug which, of course, made our day!
I’m embarrassed to admit that this year over any other, I have consistently been offered a seat on the subway, which can only mean one thing. Yikes! But I have also been pleased that for the first time, I’m beginning to catch street conversation at cafés and as people walk past me. Maybe there is hope for me yet as I try to learn the language.
And now the true confessions of this blogger. On the second week in Paris, after attacking all the steps with vigor, I developed a severe case of tendinitis along the side of my right knee. I hobbled and limped around Paris and all during our Danube river boat cruise, taking the steps like a toddler, one step at a time. After three weeks of that, my leg was finally back to normal, and I was able to regain my usual brisk pace…for about two days. On an outing with Richard Nahem, I slipped on some wet grass and severely twisted my right foot, sliding slightly downhill into an immovable object. I heard and felt something pop! After a trip to the ER, they determined that no bones were broken, but certainly, I had stretched some ligaments or tendons or whatever is around that area just below the ankle. So once again, I was back to hobbling and limping at a pitifully slow pace. Poor Bernie has been the unfortunate recipient of this limitation and aggravation. But we persisted and now, the foot is better but still swollen and tender, and I fear a cast may be in my future when we get back to Huntsville. Thank God for ice packs, Aleve, compression bandages and analgesic pads from the pharmacy, along with a Facebook interaction with my orthopedic surgeon in Huntsville.
I made the decision early on to keep any whining and “woe is me” out of the blog. One good positive that came from this was learning to ride the bus with some degree of efficiency. It is much slower with many more stops and longer waits, but it certainly has fewer steps than the Métro and offers a view of the scenery. Maybe this blog should have been titled “The Year of Infirmities!” Oh well, we made it through all of these crazies and still had some good memories. Many thanks to Bernie for enduring days of frustration and ill temperament from me.
We hope you have enjoyed our twelfth summer in Paris, and will watch for our book, Bernie’s Paris. Please get your copy when the book comes out this fall on Amazon, and tell all of your friends. I know you are going to enjoy it…my words and Bernie’s wonderful photos.
Thanks for your many comments, kind words, and encouragement and the fun café chair contest. Most of all, we hope to see you one day along the streets of Paris! We are always sad to leave but grateful to be in a place we hold so dear. Paris is truly our story!
Our final thought has to be for our world, which seems in total turmoil. May we find peace with God’s help and the ability to love our neighbors.
Until next year…or as the French say, l’année prochaine,
Linda & Bernie
July 17, 2016 @ 5:18 am
Always enjoy your wrap up and super photos!! Sorry you’ve had to endure so much trouble w your feet/leg…hope it turns out to be nothing too bad and year 13 will surprise you with much good luck!! LOVE that you found your waiter- that’s such a treat!! Excited to see you soon…praying for you both in safe travels today 😇
July 17, 2016 @ 5:21 am
Thx to my night owl daughter! See you soon! Love ya!
July 17, 2016 @ 5:37 am
You saved your best post for last! And the picture of you and Bernie is one of my favorite. I am so sorry you had to endure so many physical challenges and that the weather was so cool and rainy. Wishing you safe travels and we’re looking forward to seeing you and Bernie very soon.
July 17, 2016 @ 11:53 am
Love the last picture in particular.
July 17, 2016 @ 12:13 pm
My prayers are for you both have a safe return. Glad you didn’t talk about “woe is me” as that would indicate getting older! As always enjoyed the blog. Love, Butch
July 17, 2016 @ 1:26 pm
Very sorry about your knee and ankle. Happily, with Bernie’s help, you still managed to make this another great year. No wonder you were offered seats on the subway! Safe travels home
July 17, 2016 @ 1:52 pm
My favorite picture. Come on home. Guarantee you’ll warm up in a hurry.
July 17, 2016 @ 10:02 pm
Enjoyed your blog and the time I’ve spent with you. And what a beautiful portrait of you with the Eiffel Tower in the background ! I love it😊
July 17, 2016 @ 11:47 pm
Loved following your blog. This photo of you and Bernie is tops on my list. Safe travels, will be watching for the book.
July 18, 2016 @ 4:42 pm
Finally! a great picture of you two in Paris!!
July 18, 2016 @ 11:35 pm
Enjoyed your blog , I loved the pictures and can’t wait for your book will buy it for sure . I love love your last picture of you and Bernie and the Eiffel Tower you differently saved the best for last . Safe travels you two
July 19, 2016 @ 4:46 pm
Your blog has lightened my days…thanks so much. Bernie’s wonderful photos put me right there!
What is it that makes the light in Paris so special?
Is there anyway to read your blog from previous years? Or are they gone?
And, do you alert us next year when you go again?
July 19, 2016 @ 7:48 pm
I don’t know what makes the light so special in Paris. Perhaps the color of the buildings catches it in a special way. If you go to my web site at lindaspalla.com and click on blogs off the main menu, all the past years’ blogs should be there. You have to scroll to the bottom of the page where you should see numbers which indicates the total catalog of posts. Sometimes, I have trouble finding it but just keep clicking around and you will see it. If you are subscribed to my blog, your email will stay in the system and you will receive notifications via email when I start next year’s trip. Thanks for your kind words.