Weather in Paris is Always the Key Game Changer
Bonjour,
Yesterday brought beautiful sunshine to a chilly Paris day which never got much above 50 degrees. The sun brought light and a bounce to my step, and we were off for one of our lazy strolls through the 16th arrondissement where Bernie lived as a child around Place Victor Hugo.
Bernie was born in the 11th but moved with his mother and stepfather to the very upscale 16th when his mother became concierge for one of the apartment buildings. We typically reconnect with this childhood spot at least once a visit. Bernie’s best friend was another Bernard and stories abound. It also holds special memories of Bernie’s sister, Denise. They lived in the downstairs apartment, and Bernie slept below the water heater which always gives me pause!
We had lunch at our usual spot, Le Restaurant Romeo which is quite nice. We sat in a protected corner outside with the sun hitting my back. Just wonderful! I captured some unusual images of Bernie in a mirror which had been treated to look very old. Think this counts as a light photo!
The rest of our afternoon was spent strolling or being flâneurs. The translation of this word in Bernie’s English/French dictionary is worth a mention. A flâneur (masculine) is a doodler, a loiterer, a lingerer, a snail, a slowpoke, a loafer. Perfect assessment of our afternoon as we passed different shops and shared a chocolate chip cookie from a patisserie that is still in existence, the one where Bernie was sent by his mother to get a baguette which he always ate a third of on the way home! 
We ended our evening with dinner at a little Thai restaurant in our area called Khao Thai. It’s our third year to enjoy this tiny little restaurant with tables so close you can’t imagine! Bernie counted places for 32 people…just amazing. Maybe 300 square feet. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, also very affordable IF you like Thai food.
So glad to have you along for our stroll.
We are about at the half-way point of our trip. Time flies when you’re having fun! I failed to mention a very Happy Birthday to my awesome grandson Carson on October 24th. He spent it visiting his Grandma Spalla in Pittsburgh for her 100th birthday!
À bientôt
L & B
October 29, 2019 @ 10:07 am
I adore reading about your Paris days and lovely to see some of Bernie’s old haunts. The Thai sounds delicious too!
Cheers across the Channel and so sorry our next visit begins after you leave. I don’t suppose we can convince you to join us for a Parisian New Year’s Eve … I love Paris in the winter (well, any season!). Guessing you and your families might be unhappy if you’re not back for Christmas. La prochaine fois!
October 29, 2019 @ 10:15 am
Carolyn, you are always or almost always my first commenter, and I so appreciate your kind words. I’m afraid you are correct that family might object to our continued stay, not to mention our pocketbooks would implode. L’année prochaine!!!
October 29, 2019 @ 10:19 am
Dear Linda and Bernie,
Lovely photos today, as always. I enjoyed reading about Bernie’s time in Paris, as a young boy.
It’s so cold here in London today and I see it’s the same temperature in Paris. Have a great day today and stay warm!
Malcolm X
October 29, 2019 @ 11:54 am
Doing laundry…ugh! And walking our half mile up the street to a dryer and back. Tis my least favorite chore in Paris.
October 29, 2019 @ 11:39 am
What a perfect leisurely day to stroll, dine, observe, take pictures, admire and take in the city of Bernie’s childhood.
October 29, 2019 @ 11:52 am
Merci!
October 29, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
Love, love, love the picture of reflective Bernie. It was especially poignant on a day when you had visited his boyhood places.
October 29, 2019 @ 12:33 pm
I was very pleased with it too!
October 29, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
That looked like the perfect day, soooo much better than those hot summer strolls, huh? We saw some beautiful mums placed in a cemetery in Vienne this morning, decorated for a holiday.
October 29, 2019 @ 12:33 pm
How’s the weather today where you are?
October 29, 2019 @ 1:05 pm
Fantastic blog Linda. Love the nostalgia associated with Bernie’s childhood.
October 29, 2019 @ 2:36 pm
Merci, Thad. It’s special always to revisit where Bernie grew up. As much for me as for him!
October 29, 2019 @ 1:56 pm
It’s finally sinking in that you’re able to find entertainment by just walking out the door and down the street. Nice point about finding the perfect blend of protection from the wind and exposure to sunlight. We all have danced around trying to find that spot. Very pleasant and varied day. Thank you.
October 29, 2019 @ 2:34 pm
True statement about how easy it is to be entertained in Paris if you’re open and willing to look for it!
October 29, 2019 @ 2:01 pm
What a fun day. After spending days in your footsteps, the concept of a pair of snails strolling past Victor Hugo’s is incongruous. A second thought to ponder, is it possible the elementary school becoming a Monastery was a cause and effect of two Bernards passing through its doors?
October 29, 2019 @ 2:33 pm
Great remarks, Bob. Both are true!! Snails, we aren’t!
October 29, 2019 @ 3:43 pm
I so love the journey along with both of you! I love seeing the flowers and the buildings and learning history.
I hope you are managing to stay warm!!
Love to both , Jill
October 29, 2019 @ 5:25 pm
It’s our pleasure to share the journey with all of you. How’s the new job situation coming along?