benitakaren

The skinniest part of my body is my ankles but now I have huge ankles ie kankles but we have adopted a new term call thaikles. Ankles that have ballooned to the size of your thighs.

Cathinjoetown

Great info on golf carts--I didn't see any when I was in Paris in March but was staying in the 6th, just off Blvd St Germain. Haven't used a bicycle rickshaw, might collapse under my weight--25+ pounds from where I should be.

benitakaren

Cathinjoetown

If I didn't colapse the rickshaw, you will be fine.

benitakaren

Saturday

Got 26 and 21 off at 10:30 a.m. Had a pick-up reserved for them to airport.

8 and 12 wanted to take the double decker bus. Picked it up by Eiffel Tower. Got off at Notre Dame. 40 wanted kids to see the church. The line was probably 300 people long. Decided to wait for tomorrow. Got golf cart to Opera. Stopped at Cafe de la Paix for lunch. Wonderful tomato and cheese salad. Kids had hot dogs done the French way. Very interesting. 12 loved it, 8 not so much. Sat outsode and people watched. Beauttiful bathroom. Very elegant.

Went to Repetto shop for 12. Girls got some leotards and 40 got a top. I tried on a pair of cute flats, but since I have such swollen feet, it was like the ugly step sister trying to put on cinderella's slipper, Not a pretty sight.

Then tried to find a wonderful knife shop we went to five years ago. Found they were out of business. Went to Galleries home store for steak knives.

Printemps for luggage. Purchased two more bags on sale. But they were still expensive.

8 and I had to go to bathroom. Down five levels at end of store to the Luxury Bathroom for men and women. Charge l.50 euros. Someone goes in to clean after each use. Thank heavens 8 and I could go together. What a money maker. Imagine if you went into Macy's and they said you will have to pay $2 to pee.

Took double decker back to apartment. Grocery shopping for dinner. Ate out on porch looking at sparkling tower. Went to store, for last minute things and to souvenir junk shop for kids.

71H and I went to La Terrasse at Ecole Militaire for evening drinks. I can now consume two Pastis, 40 and kids stayed in apartment to start packing.

Collapsed into bed.

benitakaren

Sunday, Our last day in Paris

Took cab to Notre Dame. This is our third try and we only stood in line for 2 minutes. There was a mass going on with wonderful organ music and choir singing. Probably the most wonderful visit ever.

Took golf cart to Marais to look around and stopped for Faffel (I have no idea how to spell it) Bought it at the window. I had never had one, we got chicken, so only got one. When kids saw it, they had no interest in trying it. 40 and I loved it and would have been happy to each get one. Had read that they were delicious. They certainly were.

Walked some more and saw a small place selling American hot dogs. We all got one. Very good. We saw a guy on a bicycle that had an outfit on like he was Jules Verne and a bicycle decked out like the Nautilus.

Walked back to Notre Dame to pick-up red bus and went to Lauderee to get Macaroons to take home. Saw a great street performer that the kids loved. Got Laudree ice cream and sat on bench and watched some kids who we thought were pickpocketeers. Was interesting to watch. Looked like regular shoppers with merchandise in bag.

Another golf cart back to apartment. 8's favorite thing to do. When getting out of cart on Ave Bourdonnais< I somehow landed on my ass in the golf cart. I was laughing so hard, I wasn't sure I could get out. Another great photo op.

TDudette

God bless your ankles! Fun time. I don't remember seeing those golf carts--great idea.

lrock5

I hope thus trip has been as much fun for you as it has been for me to read. Thank you for taking time to post each day about your adventures. I have enjoyed them very much. Have a safe flight home. Lisa

sueciv

Great report...have a safe trip home to you and all of yours.

taconictraveler

All I can say is, despite all the ups and downs, I'd love to go with YOU the next time I go to Paris. You have had such a fun time, with whatever happens!

benitakaren

A few last notes. Went to Cafe de Alma for dinner. Wonderful food again and great people watching. Saw a 30ish woman walk in (no bra) with white shirt and the perkiest ta ta's I have ever seen. Obviously, she never has had children.

Saw family (like the Shah's of Iran) get out of two limos. One of the women was carrying a very small white dog. When the mother left (they didn't stay long) she looked around, as if to say I have been here and now I am leaving. They certainly were looking for attention.

The woman next to us kept saying to her friends while dining, you have to marry up. Wonder how her husband felt.

Packing like mad.

tuscanlifeedit

Benita: just came back and finished reading your report. Superbly entertaining.

Sorry about the nougat question; you spelled it nuogot a couple of times, and I thought it was a new French treat that I'd missed. But you can spell it anyway you want. I love a woman that eats what she wants.

simpsonc510

Benita, I've not been chiming in along the way here, on this marvelous report, but I've certainly been reading bits and pieces. VERY entertaining.

I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow (the 8th). Sorry our paths won't cross there.... we're both of a certain age, I believe. I also believe in comfort (think shoes that are not so cute, and feet that do get tired). I have had a bit of last-minute shopping today, and I'll bet I tried on two dozen pairs, none of which fit the bill exactly. I think I saw your "slippers" though, and thought of you!

I hope to try your salon for a quickie haircut!! Thanks so much for that information. My pixie cut requires a trim every 4-5 weeks. It's almost been 6 now, so a haircut is a must, although I do have a new sun hat that will cover it up if need be. Hoping Parisian women sometimes wear hats, and of course a nice scarf that will go with anything and everything. I'm a tourist who really doesn't mind NOT looking like a local. Let's face it, we all know we can't do that!!!

My friend (42) and I (67) will spend a week in an apartment in the 6e. She has never been to Paris, and I was last there about 27 years ago! I had a very severe food reaction at that time, and ended up in the hospital for a few hours; but everything turned out fine. Gonna be very careful what I eat. I think croissants and lattes should be fine... haha! I also like the sounds of some of the delis that sell cheeses and breads and salamis. Yum! I won't starve!

Do have a safe trip back home. You've been such an excellent inspiration for this trip to Paris. It was not on my list of places to revisit, but when my dear friend asked, I said "Yes" I would come with her to Paris for a week.

plufmud

Benita,

Your trip report has been a most enjoyable adventure for us all! You have given me many smiles and laughter with daily updates. Your family is blessed to have someone with such a wonderful outlook on travel with all the bumps along the way. Hey, I think you can keep up with the best with the shopping!!! Thanks for sharing and uplifting my day.

Trophywife007

Benita, your running commentary on the people you see is such a hoot and provides a perfect mental image. Thanks so much for your report; I've loved every minute!

irishface

Thanks for sharing a wonderful adventure! I hope you give us the last episode once you are home. I am sure that you will have some more adventures on the way!

benitakaren

Last episode

40 got us all packed up. Two cabs at 10 a,m, 40 and kids went to CDG and 71H and I went to Orly. I know some of you don't like Victor's taxi because of extra price, but he is always on time (at least has been for us) and I find it so pleasant to just sit there and not have to keep looking at the meter to see what I have to pull out of my purse.

Got to Orly in plenty of time. We were the second in line. The people ahead of us took forever. Finally us. Everything was fine until the lady said Open Skies was not flying today so we will have to take an all economy plane to Newark. We reserved Open Skies because of the Business Class option. We asked if there was any other option. She said there was nothing available to NYC or Boston from either Orly or CDG. We could, however, stay overnight (at our expense) and Fly Open Skies Tuesday morning. If we thought we had to wait a long time for the people ahead of us, we took twice as long. Finally, 71H went and sat in a wheel chair. The airline they were asking us to take was Than Airline. All, I could think was it was a plane from the movie Air America (I think) or some plane from a James Bond movie where the pilots parachute out while everyone is still on the plane.

After much conversation, we decided to take the plane with our knees shoved into our throats for eight hours.

I wanted to get the detax for my purses. So I parked 71H and his wheelchair and told him I would be back and not to move. Went downstairs to find detax area, Finally found the counter and was told by the great oz behind the window to use the phone. Told them what I wanted and they said do you have the forms, filled out, envelope, and merchandise. Yes, yes, yes and yes. Then they said, we will be there in five minutes. I stood with my back to the window watching for the great oz to show up. After five minutes there was a knock on the window behind me and they asked for the paperwork. What the heck was the waiting for when they were there all along. Anyway, gave them my paperwork and he asked if I had the merchandise. I said yes, and to come around and look at it. He just said ok and gave me the stamped forms to mail and never looked at merchandise.

Back upstairs with my cart to where I left 71H and he is gone, but the wheel chair is there. Walked around for a while looking for him. Finally saw him sitting in a chair opposite from where I left him. Got us something to eat and off to security, which is always a nightmare.

Than airlines is owned by British Airlines and is their charter company. Big plane, 3 and three. We had the middle seat empty which was nice. Some people had three seats to themselves and stretched out and slept. Uneventful trip, which was good.

There were tons of flight attendants. Both Than and Open Skies. They were practically tripping over each other on the flight.

40 and kids flew to Boston and came home. We spent the night at Newark and flew home Tuesday morning.

At Orly they gave us a sheet to contact Open Skies for some kind of compensation. I wonder what my chances are to receive anything from them? But I will try for something.

In the apartment at Paris Perfect, it took us 15 minutes to get hot water and then the water pressure was weak. I guess they have a huge water heater that services three buildings. For the price we paid, I was surprised we had to run the water for so long. I think they should have told us upfront how long it takes to get hot water. Before we figured it out, I took too many cool showers.

Oh, it is nice to be home. I always thought my bedroom was rather small, but it seems huge to me now after being in Paris. 71H and I are not tripping over each other.

Now for the packages. One of the boxes I sent came in another box. It was so damaged. There was no liquid in the box but everything was wet and we lost many bars of lavender soap we had bought for gifts. They will be fine for us to use just not as gifts. Another box came crushed. It was almost half its size.

Some things were broken but the worst was that Baby Blue's base is damaged. 40 put it in my closet and I have not been able to look at it. We are thinking we may try to find a sculpture person here in Portland that may be able to repair it for us. Unless, any of you have another suggestion.

In the grand scheme of things, we all arrived home safely and that is what is most important. 40 reminded me that they are only things and I am sure the people on that plane in San Francisco would say the same thing.

Things are getting back to our crazy life. One daughter left her boyfriend and the other daughter, the boyfriend left her.

We all had an enjoyable trip. I am looking forward to reading this trip report because I have forgotten so much of what we did every day. I am so appreciative for those of you who followed along and I enjoyed reading your wonderful comments and some of your future and past experiences.

As I said six weeks ago, Paris will live in my heart forever.

Cathinjoetown

I have loved every bit of this! Thank you so much.

About delayed hot water, I'm sure you will give appropriate feedback to PP, that's not acceptable. In Bournemouth, UK, we rented a flat with hot water on demand, took about 2 minutes, no need for a boiler.

It made sense to me for a holiday rental, no idea of cost effectiveness.

irishface

Welcome home! There is nothing like one's own bed no matter how wonderful the trip!

Micheline

Thank you so much for this wonderful trip report Benita. I hate to see it end. Is 40 one of the daughters who left or was left by the boyfriend?
One of the many lessons I have learned from this report is not to mail my purchases home. I would have thought soap would be safe.
And now I no longer wish I could rent a PP apartment.
Looking forward to traveling along with you on your next trip!

chutney

Great trip report, Benita. I have been following along with you and your travels. Glad you made it home safe. So sorry about the damaged boxes.
I'm very interested in what PP has to say. We are staying in one of their apartments in December.