Soar-Dream-France: Pandemic Risk Taking

During these times of pandemic, no one would argue that everyone's life has changed. It is a fact. For me, even the smallest thing like to eat or not eat a McDonald's French Fry as I'm pulling out of the Drive-Thru takes on new significance.

Before the shut down in Louisiana and New Orleans; Stew, Eric and I had a reservation for that Sunday night in March.

It was supposed to have been a very special "Repas de Remerciements" (Thank You Dinner) at Cafe Degas.

As you can imagine, that dinner didn't happen.

As time passed and I decided to do everything I could to return to France, we began talking about wanting to do something before I actually left New Orleans. We talked about having Cafe Degas delivered to Dupre Street.

Then, we began to throw the idea around of actually going to the restaurant. Eric asked: "Would you be comfortable going to the restaurant?" I hesitated. I had not been to a restaurant since the shut down. I thought about it numerous times, but it just wasn't that important to me.

I said: "I would want to know what their precautions are and I think I would want to go as early as possible and on a day during the week when reservations were likely to be less."

We investigated and decided to go ahead and make a reservation for Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

We must have had the second reservation of the evening.

There was only one couple there when we arrived at 5:30. I was pleased to see that the servers wore masks, as did anyone who was not eating. The tables were distanced adequately and had enough chairs so that we sat at a table for 6 and there were three of us. I had my back to the windows and Stew and Eric had theirs to the restaurant.

The first hour or so was very comfortable.

We enjoyed our Sancerre with an exquisite meal and dessert!

Looking up from my vantage point, I could see that the restaurant was filling up.

By the time we got up to leave every table was taken. Stew and Eric saw the crowd that was behind them for the very first time.

Honestly, it was too many people for us.

While our strategy was a good one, we didn't stop to think that as we stayed longer to enjoy our evening, the crowd in the restaurant would get bigger.

As much as I enjoy a meal with my friends, it does not have to be in a restaurant. I'm so glad we went, but we still agreed that we would have just as much fun around the table on Dupre Street together.