3 women shop their way through Paris; followed by a Mother and Daughter who drink and eat their way through Italy
Jan 29th, 2009, 03:31 PM
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3 women shop their way through Paris; followed by a Mother and Daughter who drink and eat their way through Italy
Well, this is very late. My trip was a full year ago, but I am feeling inspired. I’m also missing Paris, and think maybe writing about my trip will help me relive some of those wonderful travel moments we all love.
First, a quick recap of how I got to Europe. In May 2007 I left for the Peace Corps. I was sent to Kenya where I served in the western part of the country. The controversial election results at the end of December 2007 sent the nation into turmoil where it teetered on the brink of civil war. I, along with my fellow volunteers, was evacuated from the country.
In the meantime, DM (mother) and DF (friend) were planning a weeklong trip to Paris on DM’s way to spend two weeks in Kenya with me. Obviously, plans had to be changed.
After some quick thinking and quick ticket buying, I found myself stepping off an airplane in Brussels, looking for a perfect stranger with my name on a card. DM and DF would not be arriving in Paris for another week, and we’d found the wife of a son of a friend for me to stay with. I was wearing a thin summer sweater, thin cotton trousers and flip flops. It was January 21st.
First, a quick recap of how I got to Europe. In May 2007 I left for the Peace Corps. I was sent to Kenya where I served in the western part of the country. The controversial election results at the end of December 2007 sent the nation into turmoil where it teetered on the brink of civil war. I, along with my fellow volunteers, was evacuated from the country.
In the meantime, DM (mother) and DF (friend) were planning a weeklong trip to Paris on DM’s way to spend two weeks in Kenya with me. Obviously, plans had to be changed.
After some quick thinking and quick ticket buying, I found myself stepping off an airplane in Brussels, looking for a perfect stranger with my name on a card. DM and DF would not be arriving in Paris for another week, and we’d found the wife of a son of a friend for me to stay with. I was wearing a thin summer sweater, thin cotton trousers and flip flops. It was January 21st.
Jan 29th, 2009, 04:01 PM
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Anna met me at the airport, a wonderful and elegant Spanish woman. She kissed me on each cheek and drove me through the city to the flat where she and her husband, American Joe lived. In her broken English she pointed out the headquarters of the European Union Government and other sites I might be interested in.
After coffee and pastries at their apartment Anna and Joe provided me with sweatshirt, a pair of slightly-too-large Reeboks and a map in Flemish and off I went. I should mention at this point that I had a few hundred Euros, no credit card, no debit card and a “temporary emergency” passport from the embassy in Kenya. Cheap clothing was a must (though DM would bring warm clothing for me). My clothing budget was 100E, and not to do product placement, but H&M was a lifesaver.
BRUSSELS
I walked all over the city. I didn’t take a single metro or taxi or bus, I walked. The Grand Palace was like a postcard. The weather was crystal clear, sunny and cold. My second day I ate a sandwich and chocolate éclair (which I ordered in French, go me) while leaning against a building and watching the school kids run around. They all had maps seemed to be on a scavenger hunt. The girls all wore boots or converse and were adorable. Meandering lost, around the old part of town I strolled down narrow alleys and found myself, quite by surprise, looking at the famous fountain of a boy peeing. There was an absolutely hysterical tourist wearing a very American-flag style outfit.
I was unimpressed by the museums, loved the touristy waffles and loved the art-deco architecture. The international district was enchanting for the smells alone. Leopold Park was delightful with people walking their dogs and the ducks swimming around.
After coffee and pastries at their apartment Anna and Joe provided me with sweatshirt, a pair of slightly-too-large Reeboks and a map in Flemish and off I went. I should mention at this point that I had a few hundred Euros, no credit card, no debit card and a “temporary emergency” passport from the embassy in Kenya. Cheap clothing was a must (though DM would bring warm clothing for me). My clothing budget was 100E, and not to do product placement, but H&M was a lifesaver.
BRUSSELS
I walked all over the city. I didn’t take a single metro or taxi or bus, I walked. The Grand Palace was like a postcard. The weather was crystal clear, sunny and cold. My second day I ate a sandwich and chocolate éclair (which I ordered in French, go me) while leaning against a building and watching the school kids run around. They all had maps seemed to be on a scavenger hunt. The girls all wore boots or converse and were adorable. Meandering lost, around the old part of town I strolled down narrow alleys and found myself, quite by surprise, looking at the famous fountain of a boy peeing. There was an absolutely hysterical tourist wearing a very American-flag style outfit.
I was unimpressed by the museums, loved the touristy waffles and loved the art-deco architecture. The international district was enchanting for the smells alone. Leopold Park was delightful with people walking their dogs and the ducks swimming around.
Jan 30th, 2009, 04:46 AM
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Kristina- The passport, credit and debit card and cloths were all left in my bedroom in a locked trunk for what was supposed to be a 5 day trip to the beach. I thought they'd be safer there than on an overnight bus trip across a bandit ridden country.
Jan 30th, 2009, 05:02 AM
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PARIS!!! (Oh my gosh, I LOVE Paris!!!)
Apartment: My Paris Dream (www.myparisdream.com) in the 3rd/Arts et Metiers. Great place, great owners! (We’ve since gotten to know the owner better and can confirm that he’s a saint.)
Day 1
After a full week in Brussels it was time to head to Paris. I boarded and was on my way with only one instant of panic – couldn’t figure out which part of the platform I was supposed to be on. The train ride was only an hour and a half, speeding along the countryside and past quaint villages. After navigating the Metro with relative success, I met DM and DF just as they were getting out of their taxi in front of our apartment building.
Our apartment, charming and warm, was literally a few steps from the Arts & Metiers metro stop. The first thing DM (who I hadn’t seen for eight months) said was “wow, you are so tan!” This was the first and last time I will ever be tanner than DM. I was thrilled that she’d found my Dansko boots and my black wool winter coat and that she’s brought a whole suitcase full of warm things for me to wear.
After a little bit of unpacking the three of us hit the streets of the Marais in search of handbags. The number one best thing about being in Paris at the end of January is the SALES! Every single store was having massive major sales. Very very exciting. Lunch was quiche and salad at a café near the Archives.
More walking and window shopping, to the benefit of our exchange rate-strapped wallets things were closed, then back to the apartment. Jet lagged DF decided to stay in and rest while DM and I were eagerly anticipating dinner. In the grand tradition of our family, a “death march” ensued. After cruising by many restaurants we’d made note of in the restaurant guide, we settled on Café des Musees.
Café des Musees is on Rue Turenne in the 3rd. Its newest owner is the former owner of Dome du Marais, so we were enthusiastic and expecting a great meal. We were greeted warmly and led down a staircase into what can only be described as a cavern. Beautiful exposed brick walls and buttery-yellow tones all throughout. Small tables crammed around the walls seated all the merry guests. DM had the prix fix of pate starter, duck, and an apple torte for dessert. Absolutely divine. I went with a staple French meal of steak frites. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. DM had the formule at 21 eu. Total w/ wine and dessert was 58.50 eu (to be fair, one glass of the wine was FREE because when the people at the table next to us left their unfinished carafe, I swapped it for our empty one when no one was looking. Clearly some Kenyaness was still in me. Waste not, want not).
Apartment: My Paris Dream (www.myparisdream.com) in the 3rd/Arts et Metiers. Great place, great owners! (We’ve since gotten to know the owner better and can confirm that he’s a saint.)
Day 1
After a full week in Brussels it was time to head to Paris. I boarded and was on my way with only one instant of panic – couldn’t figure out which part of the platform I was supposed to be on. The train ride was only an hour and a half, speeding along the countryside and past quaint villages. After navigating the Metro with relative success, I met DM and DF just as they were getting out of their taxi in front of our apartment building.
Our apartment, charming and warm, was literally a few steps from the Arts & Metiers metro stop. The first thing DM (who I hadn’t seen for eight months) said was “wow, you are so tan!” This was the first and last time I will ever be tanner than DM. I was thrilled that she’d found my Dansko boots and my black wool winter coat and that she’s brought a whole suitcase full of warm things for me to wear.
After a little bit of unpacking the three of us hit the streets of the Marais in search of handbags. The number one best thing about being in Paris at the end of January is the SALES! Every single store was having massive major sales. Very very exciting. Lunch was quiche and salad at a café near the Archives.
More walking and window shopping, to the benefit of our exchange rate-strapped wallets things were closed, then back to the apartment. Jet lagged DF decided to stay in and rest while DM and I were eagerly anticipating dinner. In the grand tradition of our family, a “death march” ensued. After cruising by many restaurants we’d made note of in the restaurant guide, we settled on Café des Musees.
Café des Musees is on Rue Turenne in the 3rd. Its newest owner is the former owner of Dome du Marais, so we were enthusiastic and expecting a great meal. We were greeted warmly and led down a staircase into what can only be described as a cavern. Beautiful exposed brick walls and buttery-yellow tones all throughout. Small tables crammed around the walls seated all the merry guests. DM had the prix fix of pate starter, duck, and an apple torte for dessert. Absolutely divine. I went with a staple French meal of steak frites. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. DM had the formule at 21 eu. Total w/ wine and dessert was 58.50 eu (to be fair, one glass of the wine was FREE because when the people at the table next to us left their unfinished carafe, I swapped it for our empty one when no one was looking. Clearly some Kenyaness was still in me. Waste not, want not).
Jan 30th, 2009, 05:35 AM
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bubbly-ah, now I get it! Did you ever get your things back, or are they lost for good?
Does your Mom post here too? Screen name? I seem to remember someone posting about meeting her daughter in Kenya...
Oh, and I can completely relate to the dinner death march! My mom and I (and my husband and I for that matter) often do that as well. Mom and I were just in Paris in Oct, and spent many an evening wandering, looking at menus, trying to pick the "perfect" place. Unfortunately, we experienced the "no reservation, no table" problem because of that more than once too.
Does your Mom post here too? Screen name? I seem to remember someone posting about meeting her daughter in Kenya...
Oh, and I can completely relate to the dinner death march! My mom and I (and my husband and I for that matter) often do that as well. Mom and I were just in Paris in Oct, and spent many an evening wandering, looking at menus, trying to pick the "perfect" place. Unfortunately, we experienced the "no reservation, no table" problem because of that more than once too.
Jan 30th, 2009, 05:39 AM
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Kristina-
Yes, DM posts as "rosetravels" and will be posting about this trip as well (it's a joing effort). My things were eventually shipped to me back in the states, but there was a while where in my mind all I owned was what I had with me.
Yes, DM posts as "rosetravels" and will be posting about this trip as well (it's a joing effort). My things were eventually shipped to me back in the states, but there was a while where in my mind all I owned was what I had with me.
Jan 30th, 2009, 07:37 AM
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Hi all - this is Dear Mother (not to be confused w/ Mother Dearest) and bubblywine and I are so excited to share our trip report with you. We regret that we didn't write it a year ago when we could remember more details but we've been meaning to write it... we've talked about it.
Some of you will recall well the agony of trying to get DD OUT of Kenya and deciding what to do about my trip TO Kenya. Let's just say that I prefer this January to last one, with all the worries. In the flurry of rearranging trips and evacuation DD and I had thought about going to Spain but in the end the food called us to Italy.
We did have a great trip.
Barb! So nice to see you online! Let's get a glass of wine and catch up soon
Kristina - I've recently discovered your posts and website. Your M/D trips inspire me to have more M/D trips!
Some of you will recall well the agony of trying to get DD OUT of Kenya and deciding what to do about my trip TO Kenya. Let's just say that I prefer this January to last one, with all the worries. In the flurry of rearranging trips and evacuation DD and I had thought about going to Spain but in the end the food called us to Italy.
We did have a great trip.
Barb! So nice to see you online! Let's get a glass of wine and catch up soon
Kristina - I've recently discovered your posts and website. Your M/D trips inspire me to have more M/D trips!
Jan 30th, 2009, 10:35 AM
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Thanks bubbly, and DM/Rose for bringing back my memories of Paris. I'm DF and I'll try to weigh in from my perspective about our awesome trip.
First off, bubblyone and her DM were wonderful traveling partners, these gals were up for anything! I, on the other hand, was totally overwhelmed by Paris.
I wasn't prepared for how large, and congested the city was. Keep in mind that I come from a very rural area, and I'm used to wide-open spaces. So Paris, with its narrow winding streets, small cars zipping about, and sidewalks filled with people on the go, was daunting.
My first impression of Paris, was also from the eyes of someone who had been up all night (flying), and I'm sorta sensitive to smells and sights anyway. First thing that I noticed was how different everything seemed. I hadn't realized how standardized everything is in the USA was(this was my first trip to Europe).
On the way from the airport to our apartment, I was sorta freaked out to see every piece of land had been put to some use or purpose, there were no "natural" areas. Where I live, you can always see hills or mountains covered with evergreen forests. I was however thrilled to see a new bird, black with white tipped wings. I love wildlife, so seeing something new always pleases me.
I also realized that I was a little freaked to have traveled so far from home without my husband. But once I got some sleep, and DM and bubbly were very nurturing and FUN, I started to snap out of my nervous state and really started enjoying the sights and sounds of Paris.
Second day there, which bubbly will get into, was amazing. Seeing the Louve, and the open courtyard, that allows you to see a large swath of historic architecture was simply stunning.
I'll add more after bubbly recounts that day.
DF
First off, bubblyone and her DM were wonderful traveling partners, these gals were up for anything! I, on the other hand, was totally overwhelmed by Paris.
I wasn't prepared for how large, and congested the city was. Keep in mind that I come from a very rural area, and I'm used to wide-open spaces. So Paris, with its narrow winding streets, small cars zipping about, and sidewalks filled with people on the go, was daunting.
My first impression of Paris, was also from the eyes of someone who had been up all night (flying), and I'm sorta sensitive to smells and sights anyway. First thing that I noticed was how different everything seemed. I hadn't realized how standardized everything is in the USA was(this was my first trip to Europe).
On the way from the airport to our apartment, I was sorta freaked out to see every piece of land had been put to some use or purpose, there were no "natural" areas. Where I live, you can always see hills or mountains covered with evergreen forests. I was however thrilled to see a new bird, black with white tipped wings. I love wildlife, so seeing something new always pleases me.
I also realized that I was a little freaked to have traveled so far from home without my husband. But once I got some sleep, and DM and bubbly were very nurturing and FUN, I started to snap out of my nervous state and really started enjoying the sights and sounds of Paris.
Second day there, which bubbly will get into, was amazing. Seeing the Louve, and the open courtyard, that allows you to see a large swath of historic architecture was simply stunning.
I'll add more after bubbly recounts that day.
DF
Jan 30th, 2009, 11:11 AM
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Wow, it's great to get 3 perspectives in one report!
My mom also posts here (under the name "Krismom"
albeit infrequently. She leaves most of the narrative to me, only chiming in to say something wry occationally.
Many thanks to those who have said they've enjoyed my reports and website.
Now, on with the story please!
My mom also posts here (under the name "Krismom"
albeit infrequently. She leaves most of the narrative to me, only chiming in to say something wry occationally.Many thanks to those who have said they've enjoyed my reports and website.
Now, on with the story please!
