Two tables for two

Flowers have been set out on a second table to insure social distancing.

Meditation

No matter what time I take my daily walk I know I will see this man, somewhere on the butte, meditating.

Muy refrescante

On a tiny street down a (relatively) tiny flight of stairs in Montmartre, just over a block away from chez nous, a tiny gem is serving up icy cold drinks and authentic house-made arepas, Venezuela's signature corn-based flatbreads that are also the name of these sandwiches.

 Above: incredibly refreshing limón-laced Papelón, the national iced tea w/avocado guasacaca (you read that right) and manioc chips; pulled pork and beef arepas w/crumbled Venezuelan white cheese, black beans, fried plantain

  Bululu Arepera

20 rue de la Fontaine-du-But 75018

Open in August

French spoken

Social distancing

In a cobbled passageway behind the Bastille.

Country cool

Yesterday began a week of canicule, when temperatures soar and Parisians flee to cooler climes.

Above: apéro table from a celebration in the countryside

Explosion

To all our Lebanese friends and at The American University of Beirut, all our sympathies, sadness, and prayers.

Book: "The Bitter Years" / "Les Années Amères"
Photography of Edward Steichen

***

Update 8/10/2020: This photo was taken on July 26, nine days before the explosion in Beirut. I had just been offered these magnificent lilies, no special occasion, and the first thing I thought, feeling slightly uncomfortable, was, "Um white lilies are for funerals" but didn't say anything as they were such a beautiful gesture and gift, put them in a vase and took this photo. When I looked at it I noticed that the grim coffee table book was in the shot and wanted to re-take it without it, but decided not to bother. Days later, on August 5, the world woke up to the terrible news of the explosion in Beirut, and the next day, August 6, searching for a photo to post as usual, this one almost jumped off my screen. I was struck how the overhead angle made the lilies look uncannily like an enormous explosion of some sort, while below, on the cover, a man covers (protects?) his face with his hand. Since then this post has elicited comments about its symbolism but it wasn't done on purpose, as the photo had been taken days before. - BPJ

Why, Chub?

"You know why!"

Above: "When True Love Came" - Roy Lichtenstein

Many Paris galleries are remaining open during les vacances. Be sure and call first.