Most Sundays, Tim and I are out of town and if not, we explore a different Paris neighbourhood. This morning, I took my yellow caddie and walked to the Champion grocery store a few blocks away. I expected to find few people there but there were still line-ups at the counters. The most amazing thing was that the shelves were almost bare. There was a note apologizing for the shortage of liquids (water, milk, liquor) because there had been a mistake in ordering!! That still does not account for the empty shelves elsewhere.
There were people lined up out the door at the bakery as I walked by. Lining up (faire la queue) is a national past time.
I experience a lonely feeling at this time of the year in Paris. Many people have already left for holidays. The butcher, the florist, the drycleaner and many other little shops have signs in their windows saying “on holiday”. I wonder about all the clothes still hanging within view at the drycleaners (le pressing). People will now have to wait one month before being able to get their clothing. Despite the activity in the grocery and the baker, the streets were relatively empty and there is very little traffic.
On my way home, I passed at least six legal parking places. That is like winning the lottery! I have never looked at parking places with longing before but it normally takes me about 45 minutes of circling to find a spot.
Yesterday, in the very touristy area of St. Germain some stores and restaurants were closed for holidays. La Cremerie, a little wine bar is closed for six weeks!
The only thing left to do is leave town too.
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