We couldn't leave this part of the world without a visit to the city where our story began. For our second date, Ron and I went to Paris for a week. (As Ron likes to say: "Go big, or go home!") We met late in life and didn't want to waste each other's time if we weren't compatible. A foreign country, foreign language, foreign currency - yes, this is a great way to get to know each other. And so it began. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
We have visited Paris many times since. When I retired in 2019, we lived in the 12th Arrondissement for three months in the Bercy neighborhood. We got to know our neighbors; and the local butcher and baker; the chicken guy, the seamstress, our shoe repairman. We visit these people every time we return. On this visit, we learned that for many the reigns had been passed to the next generation. And so we made a new circle of friends.
True love stories never end, but this trip will. Enjoy the video below as our "goodbye" for now. Feel free to sing along - the lyrics (with English translation) are below the video.
Au revoir, y'all!
Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien ("No Regrets"), as sung by Edith Piaf
Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait Ni le mal; tout ça m’est bien égal!
No, absolutely nothing No, I don’t regret anything Not the good things that have happened Nor the bad things, it’s all the same to me.
Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien C’est payé, balayé, oublié Je me fous du passé!
No, absolutely nothing No! I don’t regret anything It’s paid for, swept away, forgotten, I don’t care about the past!
Avec mes souvenirs J’ai allumé le feu Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs Je n’ai plus besoin d’eux!
I set fire To my memories My troubles, my pleasures I don’t need them anymore!
Balayés les amours Et tous leurs trémolos Balayés pour toujours Je repars à zéro
The lovers are all swept away And all of their drama Swept away forever I’m starting over
Non, rien de rien Non, je ne regrette rien Car ma vie, car mes joies Aujourd’hui, ça commence avec toi!
No, absolutely nothing No, I don’t regret anything Because my life, because my joys Today that starts with you!