Back from 2 weeks in Paris...and our "loose game plan" worked!
May 23rd, 2002, 01:27 PM
#22
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I purposely didn't bring any soap with me, as I wanted to buy some of the soap recommended by other Foder's travelers. The day I arrived in Paris, I went into a Pharmacie and bought some Roger & Gallet cinnamon/orange shower gel. Heavenly!! I just found that there is a web site where it can be ordered.
May 23rd, 2002, 04:39 PM
#24
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Barb, "lively" is the word I'd use to describe St. Germain. The area always seemed to be bustling, the cafes always alive and busy. It was fun just to sit at an outdoor cafe and watch the passing street scene.<BR>Marais, which we visited on two Sundays had a certain eclectic excitement about it....the narrow streets, the little shops, the wide variety of food places with people buying a luncheon snack, the busy sidewalks. I still can vividly recall the kosher sushi restaurant we passed!<BR>
May 23rd, 2002, 04:57 PM
#25
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Part 8: Some individual memories:<BR>1. The many beautiful children....some I photographed, many others I wish I had. (By the way, there don't seem to be any fat French children!)<BR>2. The time I jumped over the Metro turnstyle when my ticket didn't work! <BR>3. French pastry...there is none better! The same goes for Bertillon ice cream. It's everything you've heard it is!<BR>4. Be careful about being shortchanged. I "caught" a man in a kiosk and a waitress trying to do it to me. Oh, they were most apologetic when I pointed it out to them!<BR>5. The time a policeman got angry with me for taking a picture of him writing a parking ticket.<BR>6. My puzzlement at how these drivers are able to park in such tight spaces and/or how they get out of these spaces.<BR>7. All the female beggars in the subways holding the ubiquitous sleeping baby. I was wondering if there was a "rent-a-baby concession" somewhere!
May 23rd, 2002, 05:02 PM
#26
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Howard <BR>This is just great! I have read this twice, you reminded me of things that I have forgotten from our own past trips and I enjoyed picturing a couple huddled under the trees,the mounted police under the other,in such a beautiful spot.<BR>Thanks for reviving my own memories and for writing such an excellent report~
May 23rd, 2002, 05:08 PM
#28
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Howard, great Paris report. I'll be visiting that beautiful city in mid-June. I can't wait to go.<BR>Just one question Howard. Did all of your pictures come out after going through airport x-rays? Did you have a lead pouch for your film?<BR>It pleases me that you had a most wonderful time in the prettiest city in the world.<BR><BR>Chao!
May 23rd, 2002, 06:57 PM
#29
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Mike, the xray machines had no effect on my 36 rolls (yes, 36 rolls!) of film. That includes the security cameras at several sites in Paris that my camera had to go through. And, yes, I put my film in lead bags in my carryon luggage.<BR>One more memory I forgot: The taste of goat cheese in any form, heated or cold!
May 23rd, 2002, 07:20 PM
#30
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<BR>Just a note about Amex surcharges. I suspect it varies according to what type of card you have. Mine is the no-fee Delta Skymiles, and a 2% foreign currency conversion fee. Amex has other cards with annual fees. Most likely some of the other types do not have the surcharge. It is just easiest to call your credit card company before you travel and ask.
May 24th, 2002, 06:13 AM
#32
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Elizabeth, what would you like to know about the Grandes Ecoles? Here are a few miscellaneous points:<BR>*I would make sure your has the bathtub/shower combine. I believe that most do, but it pays to double check!<BR>*We left our passports, most credit cards, euro, etc., in the hotel safe throughout our two-week stay and were never concerned about them. (We had copies of our passports to carry with us.)<BR>*We liked the location--a block from one Metro station and couple blocks from another; plenty of bakeries, pastry shops, cafes, etc. nearby; a laundromat within a couple blocks.<BR>*The hotel is very close to the market area of Rue Mouffetard, as well as right near the Sorbonne University/Pantheon area, which is most interesting.<BR>*You can easily walk to Notre Dame and many other sites.<BR>What else would you like to know? We would definitely stay there again.
May 24th, 2002, 08:36 AM
#36
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Kavey, our lunch cost 30.50 euro, not bad at all. And, that included a kir aperitif. The prices are fairly reasonable. The only caution I have is that the service was very slow. However, we didn't mind it, as it gave us more time to spend in and enjoy the beauty of the facility! We went right at noon, so we wouldn't have to wait, as it does get more crowded later on.<BR>Elizabeth, there are many cafes in the area. You can walk in either direction on rue Cardinal Lemoine where the hotel is located. Down the street across from the metro station is a wonderful a patisserie. And, around the corner from there (a right on rue Monge) is a supermarket, which we found handy. Also, there are plenty of ATMs to choose from. Word of advice: When you walk up rue Cardinal Lemoine to Rue Mouffetard, avoid the restaurants at the beginning of that street. They have the reputation of not being very good. Walk further down rue Mouffetard to the market area. Or, better still, walk past the Sorbonne/Pantheon area to for a better selection of cafes/brasseries/restaurants.<BR>
May 24th, 2002, 09:12 AM
#38
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Hi Howard,<BR><BR>I really enjoyed reading your trip report. It's amazing how much of it brought me back to our own trip there for my birthday a few years ago. Some of the things that we did/things that happened to us, I had forgotten about until you mentioned them.<BR><BR>Thanks for the "memories" and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. We enjoy staying in the Latin Quarter, as well, so maybe I'll try your hotel the next time.<BR><BR>
May 24th, 2002, 10:08 AM
#39
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Wonderful report, Howard. Is there another city in the world that can equal Paris for just hanging around and exploring?<BR><BR>Let me know when you post your photos.<BR><BR>One of my favorite things in Paris, is those long, skinny hot dogs that they slide into the long, skinny french roll.<BR><BR>
