Looking Back on the Trip

 Basic premise…there is no such thing as a bad trip to Paris.

That said, this trip was not one of our top visits.  It started out with the drama & the one day delay getting to Paris, then the jet lag that wouldn't let go.  Susanne felt grossly cheated out of that one day by United Airlines equipment problems.  The weather the first week was very good, even bit on the warm side several days.  But by the time the jet lag passed, the weather turned rainy & chilly with no respite.

Taking photos was less fun because it seemed that all the usual color was drained away.

We never got our picnic at Place des Voges even though our very accommodating landlord supplied a blanket.   We didn't get to as many museums as usual.  A stroll along Canal St. Martin didn't happen.  No tango on the Seine.  We didn't see several of our friends that required walking to visit them.

On the plus side…first and foremost, we were together.  That accounts for a heckuva lot.  Laugh or cry, smile or frown, even getting drenched in Rouen, we did it together.  And assembling a dinner because we just didn't feel like going out into the wet and the chill…bumping into each other in our tiny kitchen, it was together. On Sundays in Scottsdale, we have a special brunch at home.  That didn't change in Paris although getting just two bagels & some cream cheese on Saturday was a small challenge.

We did see the friends who really counted and got to know them even better.   We rode the bus system more and increased our familiarity with it.  We're improving our ability to use the rail system & the St. Lazare rail station and look forward to another day trip out of Paris next time.  Reims, Angers or Tours anyone?

This was the second (and not our last) stay at our apartment, so with two visits in 12 months, we are finally on first name terms with our landlord.  His name is Philippe, the best landlord ever.  (Don't in any way expect me to call him "Phil".)

Susanne & I each lost five pounds.  Not by intent, but we partager (shared) more & probably ate less.   We often shared a main course and a salad then one dessert at the bistro or sometimes it felt better to walk home first, then have a deep dark chocolate pudding or ice cream from the Monoprix.

What changes did we see in Paris?  In no particular order:

Sky cranes, mostly in the outer areas.  Always a sign of progress and change (yet a photographic blight, Susanne adds).

E-cigarette stores and tattoo salons.  The culture is changing.

Noses in smart phones everywhere all the time.  What on earth did people do with those extra moments before wireless?

More English spoken even though we were using our French & felt better at it.

The increasing kindness of the French.  They are always willing to help, stepping in whether you ask or if it looks as if you need it.  And they won't quit until the problem is solved.  We nearly missed the Rouen Metro and therefore our train back to Paris because the young man felt there was one more thing he needed to explain about the automatic ticket machine.  He had pushed the right buttons, I fed it 3 euros, out popped two tickets…that's all we really were looking for.

Increasingly casual attire.  Few and fewer really sharply dressed Parisians.  (Did you notice no Mademoiselle Noire this year?) Yet the shops are chock full of chic, expensive, designer duds.  Go figure.

Starbucks everywhere.  Their prices seem high but that doesn't bother the French.  And free WiFi (or WeeFee as they call it) doesn't hurt.

This one impressed Susanne: The custom in France has been that you don't get the check until you ask for it.  That's changing, unfortunately.  In the more tourist frequented places, the check comes as soon as you indicate that you won't be ordering anything more.

Still a lot of smokers but now roll your own is making an appearance, with filters no less.

The go-to areas now were not considered "in" five years ago...Canal St. Martin, Bastille.  The current October 2013 issue of Condé Nast Traveler features a cover story on these sections for the skeptical.  It seems that the older Left Bank has fallen out of fashion for the time being.

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Can't have a post without some visuals. 

Typical dusk at the column.

The best sunset we could muster.  That clear spot was the story of our stay.  It would get very nice, but only last for half an hour or maybe even half a day but nothing we could plan on.

Last year we had wonderful blue moon shots at the Eiffel Tower and the Bastille column.  This year we had to settle for a quick opportunistic pic before the clouds covered it over. 

And finally, a video of a Metro musician, run time about a minute:

Website HERE

And that is the end of the Paris posts for 2013.  Thank you for tuning in.  We're looking towards a return in 2014, but right now that's a long ways away.