The Laurel and Hardy duo is back at it again. Background: Laurel is tall and thin (will be referred to as 72 and Hardy is tall and large (or as my father used to say big boned) referred to as 76.). We have traveled to Paris, Italy, Thailand and Vietnam several years ago. We have seen most of the major sights in Paris and are looking forward to doing some things on our bucket list ie. Normandy and Champagne country.

76 will try to blog every day mainly to keep our family and friends appraised to what we are up to and so I can look back and see what we did on a daily basis. I enjoy writing about the absurdities that happen while traveling rather than detail on museums, etc. I find the unexpected as exciting as the expected.

This trip will have lots of shopping, of course, and some down time. 76 has just gotten out of hospital with a pancreatitis attack. But I will be in Paris and what better place to recover I hope.

76 always has a terrible time when it comes to packing! How many tops and bottoms and shoes!!! This trip I am trying to limit the number of items I take. When I pack, you would think I was going to the third world country and nothing is available. I don't know why I feel I have to take everything I might need when I probably haven't used that item here at home in well over a year or longer. It's like a security blanket for me. It would be easier and lighter if I took my very old and much loved teddy bear with me. (aka Theodore Halbert Wilson). I pack enough medicine to cure the entire population of Paris, but it makes me feel better.

We are leaving next Wednesday from Boston and staying in the Le Marais for a little over two weeks.


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Enjoy and look forward to the ride ahead

Cheska15. Thank you and glad to have you along

I am on board too - looking forward to reading of your adventures!

Lavandula

Me too.

Looking forward to another Paris adventure with Laurel and Hardy. Bon voyage!

Today is the day. 72 and 76 have been planning for almost a year and we are both jumping out of our skin. It is going to rain for almost a week but I have a raincoat and who cares - we will be in PARIS..

Paris in the rain is still magical. Look forward to reading your trip report with my morning coffee. I’ll get a croissant and pretend I’m along…an almond croissant if I can find one.

Looking forward to read more about your travels, thank you for sharing.

Arrived in Paris. Any flight that arrives safely is a good. Slept thru dinner and 72 said no breakfast but missed that. They had a wheel chair waiting for me on arrival. I was pushed for one hour and 20 minutes until we got to the waiting car. Up and down escalators and down massively long corridors. Had to ask for help unbuckling seatbelt (thought I was in a car) how to recline seat. Could not figure out how to flush toilet and we could not figure out how to get the tv in an upright position. 72 and I have decided that we need to get out in the world more often, Talk about stupid old women.

I do not know how to post so it comes to the top. Does anyone know?

we were picked up by Victor Taxi. We have been using his service when we stayed at Paris Perfect back in 2002. I think he was the only driver. He told us he has 33 cabs now. His business has really grown. Had lovely conversation with him. He has a new Banz for six people three seat backwards and three seats forward. Lovely van

Hotel nice with small room. We have left empty suitcases in the lobby and they are being stored in the basement. Went to Carette for late lunch. Everyone there was having hot chocolate with massive whipped cream. We have not tried it yet but definitely will. We talked to a young woman next to us from Israel. Her boyfriend is a soldier in Israel and she is worried about him. Then a couple from South Korea sat down. I asked him what he was eating. Cannot remember name but in US it is called Elephant Ear. He said he makes it at home and his was better. He offered us some of his to try.

Came back to hotel and slept for two hours. We were exhausted. Went next door for dinner. We had a beef lasagna. Not like anything I have ever had. White sauce. puff pastry top with carrots, but very good. We are finding food prices much higher than before. Simple meal for two with wine at least $55 euros. Or maybe I am in en expensive part of Paris

Anything goes as far as dress is concerned. Still wearing some shorts on guys. Rained yesterday we were drenched. At dinner this young tall gentleman walked in. Gold necklace and bracelet, Gucci loafers. with.a LV trunk bag. Also lots of earrings. When we left I told him he looked fabulous. When you are an old woman with a cane you can get away with all kinds of shit. Anyway from now on he will be referred to as Prettyy Boy.
Slept until 10 this am. By the time we got out breakfast was over so went to Paul,s for croissant and coffee. Always good.

Took cab to Bon Marche. Was not very busy. Went to every handbag section. Went next door to Epicurie for lunch and back to store for some damage. We both bought an Italian leather tote and then more damage at LV. I am going to buy a bag my daughter in Minneapolis she has asked for and I may buy one for me too. I knew I would cave in that store and 72 caved. We are so dangerous shopping together.

Cab back to hotel and they have a lovely room off the lobby. Honor system wine and spirits, water and tea with sweets in the afternoon. So nice place for me to write.

Ok here we go bowel habits. Did not think I would be discussing so soon. Since week after hospital a little diarrhea every day. Today was too much. 71 went to pharmacy for medication. Looked up the French word for the symptom and came back with some kind of pills. Six pills a day. Should do the trick.

Will go somewhere for dinner. Last time we were in the Marais we ate at a little restaurant near our hotel. Maybe go there again. There are so many to choose from.

Saturday morning we will get up earlier and eat in the hotel and we have an 11:00 a.m. appointment for the Dior museum which I have heard is lovely.

We have contacted Michael who was giving tours of Paris for several years. A couple years ago he has some medical issues and we have told him we would love to meet him for breakfast or lunch near his home. Have no idea where he lives but will find it.

We are on a macaron project. We happen to love Lauderee but have tried Carrett and they are not as good as Bon March. So far they are the winner.

We went shopping for clothes hangers. Pharmacie for A313. Have read about A313 that it was good for your skin. We both used it last night and we hoping for a miracle. Actually do not have any idea how to use it and how often. We are also trying every lip balm we can find. We have both used Caudalie and love it but maybe there is something better and if there is we will find it.

What fun is life if you can't treat yourself to a little handbag? Seriously, I love shopping. I always feel like I can't talk about my shopping jaunts in trip reports because I would rather shop than see tourist attractions, so I am glad to read about your shopping, it gives me permission

Love your report so far, looking forward to the Dior Museum!

Lavandula

I am enjoying this. Love anything Paris. How wonderful to have a compatible travel buddy. Looking forward to more!

What a day ----had breakfast in hotel cellar. Very charming but not the best croissants So will go somewhere else. Cound not get to sleep until 1:30 last night or early this.morning. Realized we had an expresso at LV around 4 pm yesterday. I do not drink coffee after twelve noon so I guess reason we were awake. Anyway up at 7:39 -- just did not want to sleep in. After eating went shopping in this area. Caudalie for some skincare. When saleslady told us the product will tighten skin under eyes, it was a sale - then some lip balm, We also bought colored lip balm that can also be used for blush. Will try tomorrow to see if I like it and also face mask (and I read on Facebook be sure to get the one with the wooden top) which I, of course did.. Then to Petit Bateau for granddaughter. Across the t0 L;Occatine for 72's favorite face cream. Then she told me about this cleansing lotion that suds up and leaves oil on skin. So of course I got that. Back to hotel to drop off items and took cab to the to Dior Museum. I had purchased tickets several weeks ago.
Thank heavens because there were about 100 people in line. We were happy to go right in. We were there for about two houre. Absolutely wonderful. Clothing from 40's up to today. Learned about Mr. Dior and his life. The clothing changes every six months. This area was actually his design studio.

Then around the corner to Louis Vuitton. OMG major damage. Bought the purse my daughter wanted (the same one 72 bought yesterday). I was not going to purchase another LV bag but. caved in - it is lovely and I love her. Finished there with a glass of champagne. Saleswoman walked us to door with packages and gentleman out front got us a cab and put our bags in the car. I guess when you spend as much as I did, you get the royal treatment.

Cab back to hotel leave items and back by cab to ill St. Louis to Blue Lemon. Very reasonable leather bags. Some more damage. By the time we were done it was pouring andi was impossible to get a cab. There was a restaurant on the corner that I have always wanted to try. So went in and said we do not have a reservation but do you have availability. After looking around and talking to himself he took us to a table with two other women and said they are almost ready to leave. Delightful ladies from England. We chatted quite awhile , Dinner was great. Best meal we have had here. Prawns in batter with chili sauce. Delish. I had Sea Bream, with vegetables and potato. 72 had veal chop. It was three inches thick. Extremely good. creme brulee for me and floating island of 72. Cab back to hotel. Had to have some clothes washed -100E. Yikes. They even pressed our jeans.

Ran out of toilet paper so had to visit lobby for supply. Other than that hotel is well located and very nice. Except the little room is filling up with packages!

tomorrow Bastile market and who knows what else.

100€ for laundry is the most shocking thing that I have read so far. But if you can buy 20 handbags, not a probem.

In their defence, people save up to be able to shop like this on their holiday and stay in nice lodgings. It's their time! And yes, I agree, ouch to the €100 laundry, that is really expensive!

Lavandula

was it "Who's a pretty boy" like a parrot or more tap him on the chest and "you look gooood"? Just asking

Sounds as though you're having lots of fun, especially shopping. In the last few years, I've been telling myself I don't need anything and don't need to shop, but somehow that doesn't always work when I travel. I seem to enjoy it more then, although I don't think my budget would keep up with you! 😁 😁 I do like to buy food items.
Wow, 100 Euro for laundry! Ouch!
Looking forward to more.

Another crazy day Breakfast at Carrett-croisant and coffee. Then off to Bastile market. Very crowded. Bought sweaters, hats, scarves, 72 a dress, lavender sachets, ham and cheese crepes and fresh squeezed orange juice. Nothing better than that. We were there for about 3 hours, Back to hotel but since it was drinking time somewhere we stopped for two glasses each of livation (I think that is an old term and really shows my age). On the way back to hotel we have gone past a shop with bathing suits from Marseille that 72 kept eyeing. I said let's go in and she ended up with a beautiful ensable. 420e later 72 hates me she said when we get to Paris we totally lose our f...ing minds shopping She had to come to Paris to find her swimsuit for the next season.

I saw a dress that I loved and tried it on - what was I thinking - that a dress that is sold and manufactured in Marseille would never fit me. The French do not make clothes in my size. darn!

Dropped off packages and went to find a cab to go to BVH. Cab driver said it was too short a distance, So walked to metro but I guess because of all the protests going on it was an express and we finally got off at Concord. We walkd at least a half mile to finally come up from underground. up and down those unending stairs. Found a cab to take us to BVH. Did a littlele damage at Longchamps. But not obscene. Decided to go to 6th floor for a view. We saw a hostess at a restaurant on the 6th floor. Decided we needed to eat so another set of stairs and sat outside with a wonderful view. They gave us menus and we ordered and then they took our menu saway because they gave us the wrong menus. We finally ordered tapes - tacos with more vivation. Waiter (adorable) (I could have ordered one of him) told us he was from Alsace and showed us pictures of where he was from. It turned out to be a beautiful evening. Looked on map and decided to walk back to hotel. since we are leaving hotel at 5:30 am we stopped at Starbucks for some breakfast food. We missed our daily macaron tasting but was walking by a cookie/candy store so had to stop in for four macarons. Two for yesterday and two for today. We always get a pistachio and coconut, Praline,, Lemon and coconut. The praline was absolutely delicious. We didn't;t get their card but we are going back there for more. They may be our number one so far. Finally back to hotel. Exhausted.

I walked over 10,000 steps today and 4.6 miles. I have a job where I sit all day and get about 3,000 steps so 10M is definitely out of my comfort zone. 72 loves to take me on these death marches. I suppose I do not have to worry about all the extra calories I am eating. And man am I eating extra calories. I have made no reservations for dinners and we are finding some fun and interesting places.

tomorrow we are taking a tour to normandy. Reason we are up so early

p.s. to my lovely daughter who just told 72 she writes better than I do. I will definitely up my game.