Glorious Day in Paris Ends in Mega Stress
Bonjour mes amis,
If you have any pull with the Man upstairs, please say a little prayer for my daughter. It is looking like the special Paris trip for her, my 12-year old grandson Carson, and niece Emily, may not happen. The passport process is arduous right now, and we have pulled every string we know for help in getting Emily’s passport delivered in time. Both U.S. senators from Alabama have been contacted but the days are few! They are set to leave this coming Saturday. So many plans and dreams and reservations are at risk. Let’s not give up hope!!
On a better note, yesterday was a near-perfect weather day in Paris…simply divine. The breeze is stronger for summertime than I’ve ever encountered before. That combined with the warm sun made our strolls around the city ultra pleasant. We are still in “getting settled” mode with the things we need like more keys for the apartment, light bulbs for ones that are “ne marche pas,” not working. We did finally get our television to work which means Bernie can watch Le Tour de France. How ironic that we were right here in France and couldn’t enjoy the one sporting event that he loves.
Of interest perhaps are some practical matters surrounding COVID protocol in Paris. Masks are required on Le Metro, inside any establishment, and you are kindly prompted if you forget as I did yesterday going inside a cafe to use the restroom. There are stickers on the floors and sidewalks requesting social distancing (just like in America) and there is restricted access into and out of buildings with arrows for “Enter Here” “Sortie (Exit) Here.” 90% of the masks are disposable, very few special or designer masks. Their vaccination rate is lower than ours, but they are working on it. The pharmacies all administer the PCR test with a 15–minute waiting time for 49 euros compared to the $150 Bernie paid before we left. These will likely be required for re—entry into the USA unless things improve drastically by the end of September, which I seriously doubt. We will sadly not get our usual visits with two sets of friends from Great Britain this year which makes us very disappointed.
We are loving all of your comments! Please keep them coming as it makes the blogging for me so much fun. Sometimes I have a chance to respond, but if not, please know that we read every single one.
We did well with our lovers of the day yesterday which is turning out to be a little harder than expected because I have to be so discreet about getting the just perfect shot.
Some of you wanted fashion, and the prevalent color of the season seems to be a vibrant forest green for both men and women. 
Our stroll through Le Palais Royale is always interesting with the black and white columns which go up and down leading into the park, but the one really cute photo is of a dog playing in the fountain. We stood for 15 minutes watching him as he romped around and around making quite a splash! 
Our dinner in the apartment was a tasty salmon salad. The months of cooking at home has me in a better frame of mind to cook here…ha! Our after-dinner walk through La Place des Vosges was the perfect place to get our door photos.
Here is a beautiful statue in one of the shops and another example of outside seating in La Place Des Vosges. And finally, I do exist here. I’m taking so many of the photos as they have to be lightening quick especially of the lovers, thus you haven’t seen much of me. Bernie’s photographic skills are so much better than mine, but it takes a while to get his sophisticated camera set and ready. So here I am standing in front of the exquisite Hotel de la Reine off La Place des Vosges.
We love sharing our memories with you! Remember to keep those thoughts and prayers coming for Natalie.
A bientôt
L & B
July 7, 2021 @ 9:54 am
We really enjoy the photographs! You both do beautiful work.
July 7, 2021 @ 10:20 am
Linda, I am so glad you and Bernie have been able to return to Paris and that I can vicariously enjoy your adventures. I am praying for the safe and timely arrival of Natalie, Carson and Emily on Saturday. Natalie is a former work colleague of mine which is how I found your blog several years ago. Your pictures and commentary are lovely! Keep them coming!
July 7, 2021 @ 10:48 am
Fingers crossed and special prayers for Natalie’s passport to arrive in time for her visit. Enjoying the pictures and following along. Thank you again for taking time to share Paris with us. Hugs, Debbie
July 7, 2021 @ 11:46 am
Love your posts and living Vicariously in Paris!
The little puppy dog in the water looks just like Serenity as she loves the water and if she had an opportunity she would jump in the Big Spring when we take a stroll downtown if I didn’t have a strong hold on her leash and good halter on her. 😉
July 7, 2021 @ 11:53 am
Same thing happening to one of my work colleagues. Her daughter is getting married in the south of France in August and she is due to leave in 2 weeks. She’s been trying to get her passport since April. Prayers it comes for all! Glad your weather is so lovely!
July 7, 2021 @ 12:05 pm
Heard early this morning that the passport will be delivered this morning by 10:30!!! God is good.
July 7, 2021 @ 11:56 am
🙏🏻 For passport arrival! LOVE the photos! Thanks for my morning pleasure!
July 7, 2021 @ 12:17 pm
Yay and yay again! Natalie was one of my favorite students at Grissom! Your blog is wonderful and I enjoy it so. Thank you for sharing.
July 7, 2021 @ 12:21 pm
Getting pictures of the lovers is much easier with a long lens. They don’t even know you are there. I found it much harder with an iPhone. You are getting great shots though. I love the doors.
July 7, 2021 @ 12:48 pm
So VERY glad that the passport issue has been solved and pretty soon they will be on their way. Know it will be memorable for all of them!!! Looks as though you two are “settling in” and starting to make those lifetime memories.
July 7, 2021 @ 12:56 pm
Love the photos!
July 7, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Love the photos and comments. Thanks for.the blog.
Thas
July 7, 2021 @ 1:16 pm
Hooray that passport is on the way!!! Carson especially would have been so disappointed not to be able to go and experience Paris with his grandmother.
Breezy here too and very chilly- 56 now at 8:00 and going into 40’s tonight. I’m NOT complaining.
July 7, 2021 @ 1:50 pm
Hopeful passport makes it. Pictures are great fun!!! Rainy day here!!
July 7, 2021 @ 2:34 pm
We went through the passport crunch a few years back, when State suddenly decided that one needed a passport for the Caribbean and Canada. We finally ended up paying $100+ to an expediting agency to have someone stand in line at the State Department to receive our documents. Of course, about the time we received them, the department recanted and relaxed the rules, so it was a needless expenditure…
July 7, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
Loving this as always! You do an amazing job of transporting us all to beautiful Paris! I hope to be there in October and will be paying closer-than-usual attention to your wonderful posts. Best to you both and SO happy the passport issue is resolved.
July 7, 2021 @ 3:31 pm
It’s almost like being there! Thanks for sharing your adventures!
July 7, 2021 @ 3:36 pm
@Debbie Jones, if she’s in Alabama, I have the girls you should reach out to!! Contact me!! NatalieAuburnRealtor@gmail.com 334.740.8979
July 7, 2021 @ 3:40 pm
@Earle Self anyone that has dealt with passport issues can definitely sympathize especially because international travel is stressful enough before having to engage hysterics of Covid Passport situation. They initially said the expedited was 4 to 6 weeks so we paid for that and to have it overnighted back. Yesterday we found out expedited went to over 10 weeks and then we were told 12 to 14 weeks. So we were about to cancel the trip when finally we started to get some very encouraging words from Senator Tuberville‘s office and combined with MIKE ROGERS and Senator Shelby, I received an email that said it would be here today! We are anxiously awaiting it but still have plenty of time to spare! It was a 14 hour day of stress, devastation, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, followed by hopefulness, thankfulness and then excitement 😜
July 7, 2021 @ 4:20 pm
So glad the passport is on it’s way! Hopefully Bernie will be camera ready when the Tour de France reaches Paris!
July 7, 2021 @ 4:24 pm
Great news about Natalie’s niece’s passport! Everyone can breath a sigh of relief once she has it in hand. You have already shared some lovely photos. So glad you haven’t run into any angry anti- maskers on your travels. … thus far. Hope your days continue to greet you with beautiful weather and interesting sites.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:31 pm
Good news all around. Passport issues fixed, weather is cooperating, couples are out and about creating memorable moments for you to capture, and interesting doors are in abundance ,as is art in unusual spots. Love following along.
July 8, 2021 @ 5:03 pm
Jumping in late on this post. I hope the passport issue has resolved itself! Too much stress! Love your photos.
Peggy B
July 8, 2021 @ 6:43 pm
Passport was delivered today!!!!
July 11, 2021 @ 7:39 pm
Your blog is a special way to enjoy Paris. It is now a tradition that I look forward to with great anticipation. We aren’t returning abroad until fall of ‘02 so your blog is especially wonderful this year! So glad the passport situation is resolved and I hope the family arrived without incident.