August is upon us here in Paris. A majority of the residents have fled for the coast, the mountains, or the countryside.
Parisians who still remain–healthcare workers and those in hospitality–ask my wife and I where we’re going for vacation. When we reply that we’re staying in Paris, they look at us as if we had horns growing out of our heads.
What they can’t comprehend is that each August for the past 5 years, we get Paris to ourselves. A few tourists wander the streets, to be sure, but the majority of the city is eerily but delightfully vacant.
Waiters and baristas have time to chat. Chefs take a moment and make up a side dish for regulars to sample and comment on.
Hoteliers take a moment on the sidewalk to pause, letting their thoughts drift with the cigarette smoke as they exhale, appreciating the momentary lull.
Expat physicians who opt to take their vacations in October or December have office visits available. Usually, it’s 3 weeks to a month wait for a non-emergency appointment.
Good luck getting a haircut. I desperately need one, but I think my darling Cecile has already flown the coup for her family home in Normandy. Come September, I may be mistaken for a character straight out of a Lord of the Rings movie.
Our foreign correspondent David has been generously provided news and views from around the globe. His findings include the following…
Dress codes for lawmakers, or the lack thereof, are quickly becoming a bone of contention here in France. Shocking for a country that prides itself on elegance and decorum. You can read all about that HERE.
The fabulous Hotel Lambert, a private residence of serious cultural and historical significance here in the city, has a new owner. Its important furnishings will be auctioned off as the most recent owner, a middle Eastern prince, departs, and a just plain rich guy moves in. Read all about it HERE.
Lifestyle creep, that evil tendency to spend more as you make more, seems to be always with us. Luckily, if we remain vigilant, we can keep it at arm’s length and save more. You can read about that HERE.
The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!…and the Scottish are staying put in their castles. Just a couple of the interesting topics covered in this 1 hour documentary, which follows the journalists at Tatler who track these sorts of things. Curl up with a beverage and snacks and watch it HERE.
David also took this incredible photograph from Capetown, just to make us all jealous. Lovely sunset.
So, thank you, David. I hope everyone is staying well and safe. Until next time…
- BGT