les soldes

how i have missed that bi-annual season of les soldes!

there is a true anticipatory excitement in the air, as one prepares for the government-sanctioned sales which take place (incredibly - only) twice each year. preceding this period, parisians have been known to scout locations, try on different sizes, reflect on colors, think about patterns - all in the hope of getting ready for the monumental sales which are only permitted during the soldes period.

for many years, we have been happy to have an annual paris-pilgrimage in mid-january, returning daily to the hotel with a jumble of crisp bags - comme ca des halles (now defunct), un apres midi du chien, le bon marché - and plopping down on the bed from the sheer exhaustion of it all! not only the delight of new and wonderful things harvested, at great prices, but enjoying the indulgent experience of just having the time and energy to do this!

but this year, for les americains, it is not so simple. the decline of our country, thanks to the prowess of our current, and mercifully outbound administration, has resulted in the loss of our purchasing power abroad (not to mention our good name!). long gone are the days of the 80 cent euro - now at close to double that, the prospect of buying things in europe seems like a poor value, even during the days of les soldes. besides, wouldn't one really rather spend those bucks on delightful tartes and meringues?

we'll be back, fear not, to join parisians from all walks of life in this adventure - that is, if we can still fit into anything after all of those obligatory pastries!