I'm really enjoying your report.

Your travel style is so different to mine, but I'm finding it enlightening!

Forgot to mention last night we needed more toilet paper.I have no idea why we use so much maybe age but we are definitely going thru rolls. I went down to the lobby - the desk clerk who does not speak much English was on and I asked him for TT - he did not understand whatI I wanted so eventually I spread my legs and not up close but about 12 inches down and wiped my Vjj-he got the message and said with a lovely French accent oh toilet paper. Sometimes pantomime is the only way.

Moulon Rouge - I had not downloaded my tickets so were refused entry. Hoppd on phone and found receipt and downloaded so we received entry. Whenever anyone sees a
cane they want to help. Elevator to working we had a guard take us thru the stage door and into the theatre. Very tight security. They did the same for us when it was over..

Will finish when back from Chocolate tour in the pouring rain.

Chocolate tour in the 6th was great. Have taken one before but this time went to different shops. Wonderful spice shop and pastry shop. Took bus back. Had so much chocolate that we were not hungry so stopped for cafe and back to hotel for abut an hour to sleep. Yesterday we met a couple who are staying at our hotel. Lovely wife whose husband was a dancer years ago. They have been married forty years, live in New York and have no children. the husband has been in two soaps - as the world turns and one life to live. he played Tom Hughes for several years. Wasn't;t making enough money so went back to college and became a college professor in the art dept. Now retired.

Sounds like you are having fun in lovely Paris.
So many chocolate tours to choose from, which one did you take?

We took one with Viator Chocolate and pastry tour. Last night went to an Italian restaurant for dinner near our hotel. We got there at 6:55 pm. were told to come back in five minutes. Love how precise the French are. I had a wonderful vegetable soup and veal. Deserrt was like a lemon meringue pie but very sweet. Delish. and of course lots of wine.

Today Paul's then back to hotel se see if we had to buy another suitcase and the answer is yes. Could not order Laudree macaroos over the internet so took a cab to Champs Eylesee. Store would not take order said we should buy at CDG. Bought the chocolate covered cookies but they did not have as many as we wanted. We will try in the 6th tomorrow (our last day). Walked down Champs - lots of designer stores, many more than I remember. Went into macaron shop connected with Le Occitene. It is 73;s favorite store - bought a bottle of perfume and had our names engraved on the bottle. Very decadent. Cab back to hotel and 1.5 hour nap. We are both totally exhausted but in a good way.. Think we might be having dinner with the soap opera man and wife but have not seen them. Either way will be ok.

Moulon Rouge - Great show.When we arrived I had not downloaded our tickets and all the paperwork we have the ticket agent so said I had to find them on my phone. Luckily I found them. Could have been a crises moment. We had great seats. If you are there for dinner you sit on the end so only have to turn around to watch the show. Very small table for three seats on each side. If you came in for just the show you were seated next to 73 and me. Do not know how they were able to see past us.

There was a couple that came in and sat below us. 73 thought they were father and daughter until she saw the red off the shoulder dress with boobs hanging out. They were definitely not married or girl and boyfriend.. Maybe first date or escort. She did not eat dinner but downed her dessert. She was probable very early 20's and he could have been late 40's or early 50's. We got such a hoot out of them. Dancers on stage were very young probably 18 to 20. Very thin and if you are interested very small boobs. But the show was fun. Raining when we left found cab 73 paid 50 euros to get back to hotel.

Tonight we are eating around the corner from the hotel with the soap people.

I've enjoyed following along with your adventures and am in awe of your shopping energy!
Your description of your evening at the Moulin Rouge reminded me that I just saw a good documentary series on Prime Video about how the dancers are chosen and trained for their troupe. They are almost all British and meet strict physical requirements such as minimum height 5'9" with exceptionally long legs.
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Mo...COE153T92A1II7

Thursday evening dinner with Lou and Barbara. 3.5 hour dinner. Lou told many stories of his life and Barbara worked at Macy's in NYC setting up celebrity people promoting their goods and wares. They are now living in LA and have had very interesting careers. Very delightful evening.

Friday - our last day in Paris. First Paul's, bus to the 6th. Wanted Laduree cookies. When we arrived they were filming a movie scene at the store so went across the street for cafe creme. They were opening at 11 am Bought our cookies we wanted - then tried to find the bus to the 7th. My city map had us walking around the block for several times. 73 said let's just get a cab. She said it was the best 10 euros she has ever spent. Had lunch, bought second suitcase and picked up our paves. Cab back to hotel after saying good-by to Eiffel Tour. After dropping off suitcase and food walked to buy cheese and some hard cheese and had it vacuum sealed. Wonderful dinner adn finished off with Chartuse. We ha never had it before 110% proof. WOW. We were feeling no pain.

Picked up yesterday att 7:45. Usually stop at Laduree to pick up macarons but when we were there they told us to buy at CDG. We had no idea how long it would take us at Detax. Probably spent about 30 minutes. Waited in three different lines to find where to check in. Absolute craziness. I do not know how we managed to get in line for Ethiopia but we did.

Had a wonderful wheelchair attendant who let us stop for our Macaroons. I bought her one for herself. She said they were too expensive for her. Obviously she had been eyeing them for awhile because she knew the one she wanted.

Had time for last coffee before boarding. Fairly smooth flight, slept and watched several movies. Food on plane certainly not Paris quality.

Wonderful surprise in Boston, daughter and sil were there to pick up us. Oh they stopped us at the agriculture area. Do we have fruits and vegetables. Told him sealed butter and hard cheese. Checked one of our bags and we were on our way back to USA. We had an absolutely wonderful trip. I am so appreciative of 73 - she holds on to me since I have major retina problems so that I do not fall.

Thank you for following along. I really enjoyed your company.

This thread is a guilty pleasure. We pack light and rarely shop. I feel as though I'm on a major caloric and financial splurge just reading this, and it's SO FUN!
I'm so happy you two are enjoying your trip so much and taking all of us along with it. Thank you!

No matter what, you certainly contributed quite a bit to the French economy.

Yes, a wonderful romp through Paris. Where is your next trip? :)

Lavandula

What a wonderful trip! Normandy and Champagne country are amazing, and Le Marais is perfect for soaking up Parisian charm. I hope 76 continues to recover well—there’s no better place than Paris for some relaxation and indulgence!


Wishing you both a safe and memorable adventure!

Yes, when and where? We're all planning to join you.

Really enjoyed your trip from afar. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I am absolutely loving this. You travel in style. Can't wait to read the rest.

US tax free allowance is $800 per person, how did your report that at entry and what is the tax rate?