OK, so we don’t have a lot of imagination.

Two weeks off … and we were on the plane to Paris. Yes. Just like last year. And, if things work out, like next year, too.

I mean, it’s Paris. If it ever gets old … well, it’s hard to imagine.

So, Thursday night, out to the Abu Dhabi airport, turn ourselves over to Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, endure 10 hours or so on a nasty airline (graffiti etched into seat-backs; really?) … but after we change plans in Bahrain and ultimately land … it’s Paris, and the heat has been turned off.

Anyone paying any attention to the calendar in the UAE realizes almost immediately that the idea is to hoard your vacation time for the summer. That is, April through October. Conversely, you really ought to stay in town through the period from November through March, when the weather in the UAE is generally quite pleasant.

The idea of Paris (which is only six hours away, if you can afford a direct flight) is particularly appealing because, well,  it’s Paris. But it also likely will be quite temperate,  even in August. Yes, there is the chance of a siege of 90-degree days in a city with very little air-conditioning, but that’s a chance we are willing to take. (weather.com has a high of 79 over the next 10 days, with most of the rest in the 73-74 range. Perfect. Again.)

When we landed, it was a bit overcast, and we remembered why we had taken coats. And why we actually might need them. As the day went on the temperatures soared all the way to … 73! Meanwhile, it “felt like” 113 in Abu Dhabi. That is, we were 40 degrees Fahrenheit to the good. Forty.

We were reminded that the idea of a walk-around city life is possible. Not everywhere do you have to dash from one AC oasis to the next.

We had been in transit all night, so we were a bit groggy most of the day. Still managed to get in a walk around the center of the Marais, noting with a frown how designer boutiques seem to be taking over the neighborhood. A late lunch at a sidewalk cafe on Rue Vieille du Temple where we were spotted by a former IHT associate, who joined us. The sun flitted in and out of the clouds, a light breeze was blowing and my sandwich was made with a baguette with crust so hard that it cut the roof of my mouth. That is, a real baguette. Perfect!

A bit of a walk, a nap, out for dinner with our host for the evening, Liz (who let us crash at her place), at the Victor Hugo on the Place des Vosges (lamb, duck and a croque were the main dishes) for a modestly priced meal … on an evening just warm enough that we didn’t quite need our coats.

We also spent a chunk of time in the afternoon looking at Paris real estate prices and tried not to get too depressed.

We will be here for 14 days and change. The plan is to meet up with Drew and Britt in a few days, spend some time with them, when they aren’t careering around the city. And just chill. Literally. Chill. Forty degrees’ worth, on Day 1.