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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is\nOtopeni at 7:30 a.m. Such a pleasure to travel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the\nplane we have to fill in a form. I think how proud I will be to check the “Yes,\nI had a covid” space! But… there’s no question about that. Not if I came\ninto contact with anyone, not even if I sneeze, at least. Too bad. I could have\nhad the opportunity to brag about it J. It’s just an\nidentification and localization form. Ok \u2013 locate me in Paris, on the right\nside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paradoxically,\nit is a more lively Paris than I saw in September. But with all the museums,\nrestaurants and bars closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What\nthe hell are you going to do there all day?” \u2013 friends ask me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ll\nwalk!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God, I\nmiss walking around so much! Even with the cold weather that they announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I walk\nthe streets, slowly, as I still feel the fatigue that COVID left me with…<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, my\nfriend, do I walk…<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\ncannot imagine the enormous joy I feel going through each known neighborhood,\nbut also through the new places. It is a state of FREEDOM difficult to describe\nin words! Well, it is a limited freedom, because, from 8 pm, you are no longer\nallowed out in the streets. If the police catch you, you’ll get a fine. At the\nfirst “offence”, 135 euros, then the amount increases, after which they\nput you in jail…<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my\neyes, Paris is divided into two sides now, since the restrictions: the touristic\nParis, empty, and the Paris of the French, very much alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Paris\nthat at certain hours comes to life due to the infectious joy of the students\nwho go or come from school. Something that seems we have been lacking for an\nentire eternity…<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the\ntourist attractions, it is deserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the\nstreets and in shops \u2013 it’s much more lively! This gives me a very good\nfeeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I go up\nto Montmartre<\/strong>, although it is very\ncold. And I discover with great enthusiasm the populated streets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the\npast I used to hate the crowds and the noise, but now these give Paris its life.\nI feel like greeting every passer-by…<\/p>\n\n\n\n More\nsouvenir shops are open! Yessss! Let us go in, I say!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I\nhave become much more curious since the pandemic, I talk to the first seller,\ntaking advantage of the fact that he has no other clients. I want to know how\nthe situation has changed during recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\nhasn’t changed, he tells me resignedly… It’s all the same crap. And he\ncontinues: “every year, on December 31st and January 1st, we used to sell\nvery well, much better even than during the summer! We had our top sales! Now\nwe have sold merely… 1% compared to what we used to sell on the same days of\nthe previous years”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My God!!!\nAnd we are talking about boutiques in mega-touristic areas!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I buy\nsomething from him and go on through the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A little old man plays the accordion in the rhythm of “La vie en rose”. I look around me and everyone smiles as they pass through the area. His music is like a vitamin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n