Guys and Gals go Their Separate Ways in Paris
Bonjour,
Sometimes, even in Paris, a break is good, and guys need to do a guy thing and the girls need some time to shop! That was our yesterday plan even amid the rain in the morning hours. We are counting down our last days together after what has been a wonderful visit.
Cindi and I worked harder than any two women could to spend some significant money. Cindi was looking for that special knock-out purchase but alas, never found it. All we could muster was a pair of cheap jeans for me and a new suitcase for Cindi (to hold all the other things she’s bought for family and friends!) She and I did have a delightful lunch at Mariage Frères tearoom. It’s a favorite that I haven’t been to in a while.
We did find some shoes and other outfits which turned our heads and enjoyed the ambiance of Saturday shopping that turned into mobs of people by mid-afternoon and without any rain. As odd as it may sound, shopping in Paris is hard!! So many shops, so much to choose from, different sizing and always the language barrier, though I manage pretty well. Ladies, the season’s colors are the mustard yellow, oranges, dark greens and navy blues.
The guys found protests, a wedding party, and the port of Paris where people store their yachts around La Bastille area. 
We ended the evening with dinner in the apartment from a wonderful deli in our area and said our good nights about 9pm. Suddenly, there was music and commotion outside our window, and we opened it up to discover a big parade. Bernie grabbed his camera and did the best he could to take some photos. Our neighbor came over to tell us that it was “Nuit Blanche” or White Night which started years ago when the museums are open all night for free, and there is illumination throughout the city. The parade is an extinction of that. It was rowdy but fun. Amid it all, Cindi texted that they had a ring-side seat at their hotel window. What fun!
Today will be our final day together which we will spend at the large Bastille market, then lunch, then packing for Bob and Cindi and our grand finale dinner at Le Train Bleu.
Our “light” photo of the day is a funny…Bernie blowing out birthday candles that were not lit. Alas, no matches!
We will see the Ludwigs off early Monday morning with wonderful memories and enriched friendship. I’m going to take a 4-day break on the blog until we welcome Paula and Tim Steigerwald on Friday.
Have a lovely Sunday,
L & B
October 6, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Parade looks a lot like Mardi Gras. Did they throw beads?
October 6, 2019 @ 12:57 pm
Hi Linda! I have been following your blog since last year when Natalie visited you in Paris. She and I used to sell real estate together but I am now retired. My husband and I both grew up in Huntsville so you and I have a bit in common. I have been to Paris several times over the last 50 years and am currently planning a trip the week of May 2020 with a girlfriend. Can you recomend hotels, perhaps where your friends have stayed? I have also made note of many of the dinner and lunch places you visit. Do you make reservations or just pop in? You may email me if you like. Thanks for any suggestions!
October 6, 2019 @ 1:37 pm
Bonjour! Nice to hear from you. May I recommend that you get a copy of my book “Bernie’s Paris” from Amazon. It has so much good information. As to hotels we use for friends, we recommend Hotel Caron, Hotel de Neuve or La Pavillon de la Reine, all in the Marais. Lunch does not usually require reservations but most certainly dinner reservations are a must at nice restaurants. Street cafes are good most any time without a reservation. Many places are closed on Sundays. May is a very busy time so plan well ahead.
October 6, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you, Linda! I’m ordering the book now!
October 6, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
Merci! Hope you enjoy it!
October 6, 2019 @ 2:15 pm
Thank you for sharing. What an awesome time you had with great friends. Love all your pictures showing all the special places you’ve been. Thank you for the sneak peak of the fall colors.
October 6, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
Gloria, how do I know you? Are you in Huntsville? So glad you are enjoying the blog!
October 6, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
Absolutely wonderful happy birthday 🎂 Bernie
October 6, 2019 @ 3:19 pm
Merci, Clara!
October 6, 2019 @ 4:59 pm
Wishing you all the best grande finale dinner at le Train Bleu and a safe and uneventful journey home for your visitors!
I’ll miss your blog over the next few days but no-one deserves a break more than you! Your global fans shall be picturing L&B relaxing (??) around Paris and doing your L&B Paris things and we’ll be even more happy than usual to resume reading when you come up for air.
Cheers to L&B and C&B and à bientôt à Paris!
October 6, 2019 @ 5:58 pm
Happy Birthday Bernie!
October 6, 2019 @ 8:25 pm
He’s a lucky guy because he’s looking at a multi-month birthday celebration. Actual day is Nov. 15!
October 7, 2019 @ 1:19 am
Bon voyage and welcome back home to the Ludwigs! We thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with Bob Cindi! On a side note, I loved those turquoise shoes, though I can no longer wear heels!