PARIS .. WHERE IS THE ROMANCE?

Paris, the style and romance capital of the world, seems to be losing her edge. Without question she still leads us, by a wide margin, in the style department but for romance, the jury is still out. One may argue this is a factor of me getting older, and romance is no longer the same animal I used to nurture which I am in full agreement. That said, I have witnessed things on this trip that led to such a conclusion. I like to share them with you.

* how can it be romantic when streets are jammed by parading tourists with shopping bags
* how can it be romantic when sidewalk cafe seats are always sticky from spilled beers and cokes
* how can it be romantic when you can smell the sweaty T-shirt of the diner at the next table
* how can it be romantic when spoils from St Honore stare at you at a bistro while you eat
* how can it be romantic when Mona Lisa has to compete with vulgar selfies
* how can it be romantic when your taxi driver 'textes' while he is on the highway
* how can it be romantic when one has to navigate tour groups on a quiet walk along the Seine

The City decided to remove all the locks on her famed bridges that are supposed to 'lock up romance and throw away the keys' ... an environmentally correct action, may be, but a notion that Paris is prepared to give up a part of her tradition. It is sad.

As an aside, we are told our Strong Nation compatriots are no longer hyped by Louis Vitton. The proverbial LV bag, once the quaint-essential status symbol, is no longer. Consequently the line in front of the flagship on Champs-Elysees has become shorter, one may even walk straight in.

Alleluia!