Quiet Days in Paris at 42 Rue St. Paul
Bonjour mes amis,
Our apartment is quiet, the days are very cool, and the skies have been gray. However, the forecast is looking much better for the upcoming week with sun. Just like at home, this can mean absolutely nothing, but we can always hope. Our chores are all done, but we’re distressed to discover that our Lavamatic right across the street where we dry our clothes is out of service for repairs. We now are hauling loads of wet clothes multiple blocks up the street to a much nicer, cleaner but more expensive place. Oh, well, as my son says, “a first-world problem.”
I ask for the Steigerwald’s input on their time with us and share their thoughts here:
“Our biggest surprise of being in Paris was how amazing Bernie and you could navigate the metro, trains, roads, and even to include the day trip to Normandy.
Our favorite thing was the number of old churches…beautifully unique in their style full of sculpture, paintings, murals, and lighting. The architecture everywhere was stunning.
Other memorable Highlights included seeing the vast array of merchants and their wares Artistically arranged….everything from cut flowers to fresh produce, fish, nuts, mushrooms!!!
Again fabulous trip and we will forever remain grateful, my friend!!”
Surely, Paula and Tim, your ears were burning yesterday when Bernie and I went in search of that toilet paper store. We both understood you to say that it was under the Louvre in the big shopping carousel. We covered every square inch and found nothing! We chuckled that you as first-timers found something we didn’t know about and then couldn’t find! Thanks for being such wonderful guests.
What we did find was a throng of people trying to get inside the Louvre…the entrance for people with tickets already. Check this out!
If you thought that Paris would be quiet in October, you would be wrong…it’s jammed with people especially a high dose of Asians enjoying themselves. They are always the best-dressed people donning stunning outfits and perfect make-up.
We also captured a couple of good light shots under the Louvre:
Outside on the street, I spotted some warm chestnuts and we bought a small pack…5 for 3 euros!
We were in the area around La Palais Royale, jovial, busy and earmarked by this unusual subway stop entrance.
After a cup of chocolat chaud for me and a Ricard for Bernie, we walked around an art show in the plaza across the street. Peggy Bilbro, where were you when we needed you? We failed to understand the show, something about samples of life around the world. I do believe you would have loved it! Everything was in intricate French and alas, we failed to note the artist’s name. I’ve tried to find it without luck.
After dinner in the apartment, we took a long, crisp walk near the Bastille, and Bernie captured some other fantastic “light” photos.
In our little cafe below us, we noticed this cute piece of artwork which has always been right in front of our noses. This may well be my theme for next year. The point, of course, is how hard the Paris waiters work in serving their customers!
We waked up this morning to find major road construction outside our window. Rue St. Paul is closed and Bernie says they are putting in new gas lines…ugh!!! Ironically convenient that we have no company for a while.
Taking a blah, regular day and turning it into an interesting post ain’t easy!
À bientôt
L & B
October 22, 2019 @ 10:43 am
There seem to be no blah days in Paris!
October 22, 2019 @ 2:12 pm
Merci!!
October 22, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Oh Linda following you and Bernie even on your blah days is exciting for me! You make the mundane interesting.
October 22, 2019 @ 2:12 pm
Merci!
October 22, 2019 @ 1:45 pm
Linda, I would take a blah day in Paris anytime over MGM! Your posts are great and I love the light theme.
October 22, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
Jeanie, merci!! Always memories everywhere we look with past visitors like yourself. Every time I pull out the olive oil, I remember our excitement…do you?
October 22, 2019 @ 2:08 pm
Your day looks anything but boring to me! I was just reading this morning about the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit of 160 works that opens at the Louvre on Thursday. Assembled from Italy, U.S. and several private collections in honor of 500 years since his death. What a unique opportunity for you! Disappointed it ends in Feb so not there when we are in Paris in April. I read your blog every morning just after my devotion–it’s such a blessing I really consider it part of my meditation, imagining I am there with the two of you! Thanks so much for sharing it all with us. Enjoy every minute.
October 22, 2019 @ 2:10 pm
What sweet thoughts, Carol. Merci! We are planning to see the da Vinci but will book over the birthday rush of company as I know most will want to see it! It will be mobbed!!!
October 22, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
There are ‘waiters races’ around Europe that the poster might have been advertising. Of course the races originated in Paris. We get the impression you turn a corner and there is another art show or street full of artists displaying their goods. Are art shows, displays, etc that common and easy to find. It takes a trained eye to appreciate the artistic manner that vendors arrange their goods. I guess that was Paula.
October 22, 2019 @ 2:17 pm
You might be correct about the poster, but I took it to mean that waiters run as fast as marathon runners trying to serve you. As to the art, it’s everywhere for free and in all the museum exhibits for an extra fee. Leonardo da Vinci extravaganza begins soon at the Louvre. Definitely want to catch that one.
October 22, 2019 @ 4:17 pm
Bonjour L&B! The print is from a *wonderful* little book, ‘Paris versus New York’ by Vahram Muratyan (just checked my copy to be sure). I think you’d love it — many of his designs and comparisons relate to all of America and not only NYC and they are hugely creative and fun (as you have seen!) and true! Voici amazon https://www.amazon.com/Paris-versus-New-York-Cities/dp/0143120255/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=paris+versus+new+york&qid=1571760745&s=books&sr=1-1
October 22, 2019 @ 5:35 pm
Thank you, Carolyn. I should have guessed that you would know!!!
October 22, 2019 @ 4:26 pm
L&B, every day in Paris is priceless — especially when we’re blessed with your writing and photos about it. Loved reading Paula and Tim’s impressions and couldn’t agree more about the churches, so often places of peace and gratitude in the midst of everything else Paris has to offer.
Cheering you on with the new drying place and rue St-Paul. Hope they don’t have to jackhammer too much! And of course your global fans will be looking forward to your experience of the now-famous discovered-by-Paula-and-Tim TP store 🙂