13 – 14 September 2022
Or as they say in Paris, ”Paris.”
Bonnie and Robert are getting too relaxed about travel arrangements. Robert received numerous reminders from EasyJet about the flight from Rome to Paris—thinking “Wednesday.” On Tuesday morning at the cafe, he tried to check in and realized the flight was that day, Tuesday! We quickly packed, Luciana got us a taxi, and we arrived at the airport in time.
At the airport Bonnie forwarded the Paris hotel confirmation to Robert. Robert read it carefully and realized they weren’t expecting us for another two days! A quick phone call fixed that.
SCORE: Tied—Robert 1, Bonnie 1
We flew EasyJet to Paris—a notch above Ryanair. We arrived on time at Orly and took a taxi to the hotel for 41 euros. Our hotel is on the Left Bank, in the 6th. Once again, Bonnie made a great selection with the help from our friend Ellin Klor. Hotel Jardin Le Brea is small, attractive, and air-conditioned, with a great staff. This area is very lively, and we do not hear much English outside the hotel. In addition to the Sorbonne, there are quite a few schools nearby, which keeps the age curve down. Lots of backpacks of varying sizes, styles, and colors. Not many shorts. We are close to metro stops and a five-minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens.
The many restaurants and cafes serve mainly French-speaking customers, although they do get foreigners. At night around 8 (Bonnie’s night ends around 9:30), tables along the street are filled. Most people are engaged in lively discussion. Drinks and fries may take several hours to consume. Unlike Robert’s experience 30 years ago, everyone is friendly and ready to help. Waiters engage in pleasant conversation and even joke!
Merchants use a mix of the credit card ”tap” and the chip “insert” method for payments. Often, if you are doing this on your own, the machine asks for a PIN. No need for this if you wait a few seconds. It will be approved. One restaurant server said that in the past they could only use the tap for up to 20 euros. Now it is up to 50 euros. She said it was for security in case someone was using a stolen card. This doesn’t make sense because it’s acquiring the same data.
Our meals have yet to disappoint. For lunch, we look for a place as we walk. For dinner, we use the hotel’s and Google’s recommendations. We don’t wander far and always seem to find a lovely local place with very good food and a charming young staff.
14 September 2022
Nourriture
14 September 2022
