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Your taste of life in Paris!

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Change of Scenery

The Eiffel Tower on a gray Paris Sunday (photo by Patty Sadauskas) http://www.genuinefrance.com
The Eiffel Tower on a gray Paris Sunday (photo by Patty Sadauskas http://www.genuinefrance.com)

I actually traveled to other parts of Paris over the weekend. I wasn’t the only one, either. In fact, the streets were very busy, even in the middle of a very snowy Saturday. The flakes were coming down pretty heavy and substantial by about noon, so I put on my warmest clothing, fur-lined boots, grabbed an umbrella and out I went into the wintry mess…all to visit an old friend who just moved to Paris from New York. She would have been here long ago, but the French consulate in New York gave her wrong information when they told her that even with her newly acquired long-stay visa, she wasn’t allowed into the country because of Covid-19—Not true.

Cultural Tip: Living here you’ll soon discover that the French generally don’t like admitting they don’t know something, so they’ll answer the question even if they don’t know the answer. (One thing for sure, if you don’t ask the right question, you won’t get the right answer, either.) I can only surmise that this is what happened in her dealing with the consulate and for months she sat hunkered down in New York dreaming of Paris, all while she could have been confined in the City of Light instead. She’s here now and happily ensconced in her bourgeois apartment in the 15th arrondissement getting the lay of the land and tackling the trials and tribulations of adapting to a French lifestyle. It hasn’t been a piece of cake, but “c’est la vie en France.”

Other friends took advantage of the snow to head to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont to ski down the steep slopes while there was still some serious accumulation on the ground. Newly formed snowmen dotted the landscape. A friend’s young Cairn pup, “King Clovis,” got his nose wet in the snow for the first time in his young life. He happily posed for his mistress’s camera. I was jealous of their outing in the fresh air…something I almost forgot existed…fresh air—not that stuff in my mask.

Skiing on the Buttes-Chaumont (photo by Linda Hervieux) http://www.lindahervieux.com

Skiing on the Buttes-Chaumont (photo by Linda Hervieux)

A Cairn puppy, King Clovis (photo by Linda Hervieux) http://www.lindahervieux.com

King Clovis (photo by Linda Hervieux)

Sunday the snow was gone, the gray cloud cover was still hovering over, but the temperature had risen making it almost pleasant…as pleasant as Paris can be in the winter. The streets were busier with strollers desperate for some exercise and life…any ounce of normal will do to ward off the depression. I trekked over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a pot-luck lunch with American friends spending a few months-sojourn in Paris. It seemed normal enough and was just what the doctor ordered. Normal, too, at Place de Fürstenberg. A woman opera singer who regularly serenades the neighborhood’s residents, was out letting loose with her vocal chords. She drew a small crowd as her lovely voice resonated well, thanks to the special acoustics of the Place.

Singing Opera on the Place de Fürstenberg

Singing opera on the Place de Fürstenberg

I had almost forgotten how beautiful Paris was, in spite of the wintry weather and the multitudes of hours spent indoor my apartment. Since New Year, I’d barely left my immediate neighborhood and kept all excursions to shopping expeditions. In fact, that’s all there is to do during confinement with a curfew of 6 p.m. that started Saturday night—shop for groceries. At least there is that, otherwise I might lose my mind. I’m getting to know the Monoprix, the Franprix, the Carrefour and Picard pretty well now…after years of eating out twice a day and only stopping at any of these joints for toilet paper or cleaning supplies. Those were the days, my friend.

A Franprix market in Paris

Most of the retail stores are open, but what’s the point of buying new clothing that won’t get worn? I’ve been living in the same black leggings that double as at-home wear during the day and sleepwear at night, making for a whole lot less laundry to do. In fact, it’s a pretty good system. In the interest of not getting too too slovenly, I still put on a bra every morning even if all alone in the apartment, just to keep “the girls” perky…and then shed it for when I get in bed with a tray table, a home-made dinner and dumb TV…a whole lot earlier than I used to. It’s become ritualistic at this point, but when I watch TV and see people in close quarters, or being physical with one another, the picture seems so wrong. Where are their masks, I wonder?

The dishwasher is getting more action in a week than it was getting in a year, now that I’m actually cooking for myself. It’s getting awfully boring however…the same baked chicken thighs, sautéed fish or peel-and-eat shrimp with a salad or vegetable. Plus, I hate dirtying up the stove and making all those dirty dishes, pots and pans. Ugh! When will Café Charlot open up again? I’m dreaming about a good hearty lunch there where I can be served and won’t have the mess to clean.

I try to go out for a daily walk in spite of the weather just for the exercise, but I’ve taken to looking for things to buy, just for the sake of occupying the time. But who needs or wants it all, anyway? It’s easy to see how consumerism starts…with boredom. Still, I find myself acquiring things I don’t really need or want…like a heating pad to warm my tushie in bed or scented diffuser that costs too much money. “C’est confinement en France.”

Conversations with friends now center around which markets have the best produce or what restaurant is doing take-out or who delivers to your home…not what’s the best exhibit in town to attend. What happened to the Paris I used to know and love? It’s hiding behind masks. No one has a face anymore, just eyes and fogged up glasses. Mine are always steamed up, no matter what mask I try so I can’t see where I’m walking half the time. I try breathing differently, but that doesn’t work. Besides, what does “breathing differently” really mean anyway?

TV has become an obsession. Here’s the routine: Wake up, turn on France 24 and listen to a smattering of U.S. and world news. Switch to Youtube and do 15 minutes of QiGong with Kseny (or another instructor) to do some heavy breathing and light exercise. Once feeling better to tackle the day, I’ll switch to CNN to see what insanity is happening Stateside and how much they can sensationalize the news—which is already so sensational it doesn’t need any help. It doesn’t take long before I’m happy to head to the desk (what a long commute!) and stare at the computer screen for the next several hours. My tushie started to hurt so much from sitting all day that I bought a special pillow to soften the blow of “deskchairitis.” It’s decidedly better, even if the thick cushion doesn’t match the decor…but who’s seeing it anyway except me and the tushie?

QiGong with Kseny

QiGong with Kseny

My daughter did a smart thing: she flew to Maui for a few months. Maui is paradise with a Capital M and she intends to take advantage of a different kind of confinement…unconfined and unmasked…under the rainbows of the tropical rain forest. The kid has the right idea, if you ask me. I’m sure she’ll send photos just to torture me, but at least I can live vicariously through her while hunkering down in Paris.

The View from Erica Simone's Cottage in Maui

Maui—the view from Erica Simone’s cottage

My crystal ball says I’ll be glued to CNN for the next couple of days, starting with Wednesday’s inauguration of President Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris. The whole world will be watching and holding our breaths for what violence may ensue around the country. One thing for sure, it’s going to give us something else to think and talk about beside Covid-19.

Note: “Tushie” was first recorded during the early 1960s as an American alteration of Yiddish word, “tokhes” which means “buttocks.”

The cutest tushies ever!

Cutest tushies ever!

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds on Zoom in Paris FranceAdrian Leeds
The Adrian Leeds Group®

 

 

Covid vaccinations begin in Paris FranceP.S. FYI, the Covid-19 vaccinations are starting today in Paris. If you’re a health care professional or over the age of 75 or if you have serious pre-existing conditions, then you can schedule your vaccination in one of the 19 vaccination centers in Paris now. Just visit the city website for more information.

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14 Comments

  1. Sandra Thacker on January 18, 2021 at 10:50 am

    What a wonderful e-newsletter Adrian! I LOL’d all the way through and smiled at the similarities (thinking I was the only one doing less laundry, eating supper while watching TV, going to bed early and following American politics – I’m not even American!) Thank you for sharing – this was a great start to my week.

  2. Olivia Casino/Calif. on January 18, 2021 at 10:51 am

    Speaking of buying things to fill up gaps in our lives now, what about that Mega Monster AMAZON! I have to speak sternly, nightly to my fingers when they prompt me to ‘explore’ the unlimited products of possibilities offered, only a click away! A mere heating blanket is not too far off the charts, Adrian; I’ve an air-purifier and 15 puzzles on my door step now! Ps loved snow photos!

  3. Richard Porter on January 18, 2021 at 11:01 am

    Paris in the snow is lovely. My wife and I were there two February’s ago. Walking from hotel on I’ll de Saint Louis to Notre Dame special. Would send you a picture if knew how.

  4. marc lancaster on January 18, 2021 at 11:02 am

    Keep up the great work. I’m jealous.

  5. marc lancaster on January 18, 2021 at 11:05 am

    Keep up the great work!

  6. Betty Davis on January 18, 2021 at 11:18 am

    Adrian,
    I could have written your comments….from the leggings, to the dishwasher, to the boredom of the same meals, to the urge to get out, and more, with my only outings to go to the park for exercise. I didn’t realize Atlanta was so much like Paris. But I miss Paris so much.

  7. Sarah Scott on January 18, 2021 at 11:44 am

    Adrian, Thanks for all you do to promote France and Paris. As an American whose first trip to France was in 1970, I love almost all things French. Though my language skills are next to non existent, that doesn’t keep me from visiting,
    Our last trip was in 2017, so we are long overdue. But, COvid got in the way. Now we visit vicariously though you and our French friends who live in Paris and summer in St.-Briac-sur-Mer. Out visit last trip included staying in Paris and then traveling in brittany, normandie, Provence and burgundy. (Forgive my spelling…I can’t spell in English either.) Thanks for keeping us informed. Snow in Paris & Dallas! Wow! A Francophile…Sarah Scott

  8. Jim Brown on January 18, 2021 at 11:47 am

    Thank you Adrian for bringing Paris to me during these months of separation. Your words and pictures brighten my day.

  9. Mary Ewen on January 18, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Wonderful post Adrian!

  10. Katherine Albrecht on January 18, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Adrian, thank you so much for mentioning QiGong with Kseny. I am now a subscriber and look forward to opening myself up to the day with her! Tai chi has been on my list for a very long time. Will attack that discovery next!
    Katherine Albrecht

  11. Trish Young on January 18, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    I read your comments with empathy. The lockdown you describe I know well. In Melbourne, Australia, we had 14 weeks of it.
    My partner had medical appointments in different suburbs, so we drove through deserted streets; closed shops. A scene of utter desolation.
    I am enjoying our respite , which no doubt you are looking forward to.
    Keep smiling

  12. james thompson on January 19, 2021 at 12:38 am

    Adrian, thanks for giving me a glimpse of even strange times in Paris. My own trip was postponed last summer because of Covid. I have re-scheduled for this summer, hoping that I will be vaccinated in time and hoping vaccinations in France increase to an acceptable level. I look forward to retiring in France for at least a significant portion of the year. I look forward to hearing and learning more about the moving process. I will be joining your session Saturday and hope to have an individual conversation with you soon. Thanks for your newsletters!

    Jim Thompson

  13. james thompson on January 19, 2021 at 12:45 am

    Adrian:

    Thank you for the information about life in France, even during periods of little activity. I am looking forward to the day when I can retire to France in the near future, at least for a substantial portion of the year. I am so looking forward to your session Saturday (my first) and hope to meet you individually soon as I plan whether to locate in Paris or the south of France. I love all your House Hunters International episodes from Paris and Nice that I have seen I have watched all of them at lest once. In fact, I have gone through all the seasons offered on cable looking for a new one. I even saw episodes evidently before you were in them. Please keep sharing information about life in France!

    Jim Thompson

  14. Patti on January 24, 2021 at 7:51 pm

    Please bring and wear your masks while visiting Hawaii . Mahalo !

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