Not all who wander are lost.
J.R.R. Tolkien
A friend of mine visited this past weekend. We worked together in the United States. He now lives in Europe working for a European company. He took the train to come visit me for a few days. I was so excited to see him since it’s been a few years since he visited the USA. After he arrived, we had dinner at Place du Tertre, my literal and figurative happy place. It was cold and raining (a very common situation in Paris until March/April). The plaza was sparkling due to the twinkling lights and the wet cobblestones.
As I’ve probably wrote before, Place du Tertre is surrounded on three sides by cafes. In the non-Winter months, the center of the plaza is filled with cafe tables under tents. The plaza is usually very busy during most of the year. This cold and rainy night brought few visitors to the plaza. We ate traditional French food for dinner at La Mère Catherine (https://lamerecatherine.com/): French onion soup, beef tartare, and duck. Then we went over to the La Cremaillere 1900 (https://cremaillere1900.com/) where we ate chocolate cake, drank hot chocolate, and listened to a live band singing traditional French songs. Place du Tertre is just around the corner from the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur which overlooks Paris with breathtaking views.
Later that evening my friend discovered that he was going to need a PCR COVID test in order to return to his country that Sunday (two days later). So, Saturday morning we searched for a laboratory that would accept non-reservations in order to get the test. We traveled to a number of neighborhoods in Paris that I had not ventured to yet which was a lot fun. We discovered a large park near my house (Parc Monceau) that I am sure to revisit in the future.
After we found the laboratory, my friend was able to get his rapid PCR test which he received the results electronically about two hours later. We spent the day exploring Paris, stopping at the Tuileries Christmas market (https://talenton.live/2021/11/29/christmas-markets-in-paris-and-singing-reindeer/), shopped at BHV to see their Swiss Christmas-themed decorations (https://www.bhv.fr), walked through Le Marais (a more medieval section of Paris), and the Bastille area. We stopped at cafes along the way to warm up with hot tea or coffee since it was pretty cold and rainy the entire time.
While looking for used book stores, we stumbled upon Rue Nicolas Flamel. He was a scribe and manuscript seller in France in the 1300s to early 1400s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Flamel). Later, he was imagined to be an alchemist and mentioned prominently in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (especially the first book, the Sorcerer’s Stone).
At the Hotel de Ville (City Hall), there was another Christmas market with pretty Christmas trees and displays along with shops, food, and rides.
That evening is where we discovered my gas had been turned off as chronicled in another post (https://talenton.live/2021/12/08/i-have-gas-and-electricity-too/). The next day we went to church, ate lunch at a sandwich shop, and explored Parc Monceau again when it wasn’t raining as much. Parc Monceau has a food pavilion where we ordered hot drinks. I had a hot cider which is my favorite winter drink. The park also has a number of statues with architectural monuments scattered throughout. People were walking with their dogs and children. They even had a footbridge where I am pictured in my cap and heavy coat (picture taken by my friend).
In all a grand adventure exploring Paris, eating great food, dealing with the slings and arrows of outrageous situations, and generally having a great time. Next year, I will be visiting my friend’s home in the Alps (when it’s a lot warmer, though).
In response to the continual cold and rain, I recently bought a vest that has heaters which run on battery. It feels so good with just enough heat to keep me comfy warm in the cold, rainy Parisian winter. It is a Barrjee Gilet Vest. It runs on any normal cellphone recharge battery pack or you can buy one of theirs. This vest reminds me of a show on Nickelodeon when I was a kid in the 1970s called, The Tomorrow People. The show was about a groups of kids that developed special powers including teleportation. When they traveled they wore spacesuits that looked like normal clothes wherever they went but were climate controlled. I feel a bit like one of the Tomorrow People who is warm and cozy in the midst of the rain and cold.
I look forward to other visits by my friends and family. Having a guest bedroom with now working heat and hot water beckons you to Paris. Please do come and visit.
Until we meet in Paris…
Talenton 