lrock5

Love it!! Goodness February can't get here fast enough. I miss Paris.

TDudette

Did I miss what photo bomb is? I searched for Vonse but only saw that s/he wanted to do it.

Maybe Ms. Aqua was on her way home after an interesting soir.

jmct714

Photobomb is when someone jumps into your pic at the last second, uninvited

annhig

Benita, I too just found your report and rarely have i had such an entertaining read.

so much to comment on [you've probably forgotten most of it by now!] but this particularly made me laugh - i bet you can guess why!

>

I drive an automatic but DH's car is a "manual" so every time I drive it [which I try to do once a month to keep my hand in] he sits there grimacing as I change gear.

as for the rest of it, I can't believe that you managed to keep smiling in the face of broken- down hire cars, lost luggage, faulty lifts, being charged for food you didn't get, and all the other multiple mishaps that befell you.

sorry that you won't be allowed to wear those shoes when you get home to Falmouth, Maine. I can assure you that if you visited or lived in Falmouth, Cornwall [about 20 mins drive from here] you could wear what you want.

irishface

jmct, thanks for explaining photo bomb. I couldn't get it from the context of Vonse's reply.

benitakaren

I took Photo Bomb to a whole new level. I thought it meant you wanted to bomb every nutzo photographer who was taking insane pictures, Sorry, I misintrepreted the whole thing. But, I will tell you 26 and I were talking to a shoe salesman and we discussed the photo takers. He couldn't say much, but did said after working a long day selling shoes and then riding the Metro, he said it is difficult when people are taking pictures all the time. He said they will take pictures of blank walls in the Metro.

Yesterday, saw an American (I presume) wearing a shirt with American flags all over it . I guess for the Fourth of July. I hope she didn't bring it from the states for the special day. Hopefully, someone gave it to her for a gift and she felt she must wear it or hurt someone's feelings.


Here it is Friday morning and the Eiffel Tower is covered in fog. First time I have seen that on this trip. Four hours to go before the tickets will be useless. Better check weather.

dlejhunt

The photo takers drive me crazy, too. It's like walking through a mine field; rather than keeping your attention on the exhibits in the museum you must constantly be checking that you are not stepping into someone's photograph. During my last trip to Paris, after a few days of dodging I just decided to photo bomb away, and I have to confess that I kind of like the idea that my blurry image might be included in various vacation photo albums throughout the world.

benitakaren

Forgot to mention that while people watching in the Marais yesterday, I saw boiled wool jackets, heavy fall coats. heavy winter scarves wrapped up several times around their necks and lots of women in black tights (some footless, leggings and even hookers (what 26 used to call her stretch pants when she was 4). What the heck, don't the French get warm and sweat. Maybe it is just my age, but I would have been perfectly happy sitting there in my bra and panties!

Cathinjoetown

Thank you for the salon info.

So love this report, like annig I have many favorite quote's, today's is "...she must wear it or hurt someone's feelings." 65H and I were LOLing.

benitakaren

Started out by going back to Orangerie. Closed again, no explanation. It is not an easy feat to get four adults and two children downstairs and out the door in less than an hour. So here we are again, standing in front of the Orangerie wondering what to do for two hours.

Decided to go back on the Metro and go shopping on Rue Commerce. Stopped in Monoprix and bought Caudilie products that I love. Back on Metro to Eiffel Tower for our 12:30 ticket time. Of course, we were moving as fast as we could. Was easy to go up. Not much waiting time. Incredible long lines to buy tickets We had tickets to second level and kids were happy with that. Everyone but kids had been to top before so it was ok with everyone not to wait in line.

While waiting, saw a Muslin woman covered completely in black with only eyes showing with sunglasses on. It was hotter than hell, and her husband was in khaki's and a sleeveless shirt. No matter what my religion, I would not be dressed in heavier and warmer clothes than what my husband had on!

Had to stop at Michael Chaudon to buy paves. We all love those tiny bites of chocolate. I freeze them and have one when I need a hit of chocolate.

Back to apartment for something to eat. We were too late to make the 3 p.m. fashion show at Lafayette. Kids were ok with that.

TDudette

ttt

MarySteveChicago

Love your writing style! I am cracking up! Well, until your Provence car report!
Did your friends like or not like the duck? Violet jelly? I usually get the Burgundy mustard to bring home. We also liked Reed; twice in fact. And I am noting the chocolate tour. Thanks!
I am only halfway through your TR. How fun! Lay! Church Lady!
You have inspired me to talk W into adding a week in Provence to our monthlong Paris visit next May/June. Not sure if going south mid-May or mid-June would be best. Would love to see the lavender and the music fest piques but 106 degrees. phew!

waterdog

Mrs. Waterdog here.
Thanks for the tip about the hair salon on St. Dominique. I have been by there so many times but never had the nerve to make an appointment. But based on your recommendation of the place and your cut, I definitely look forward to a French haircut when I'm there in September--the apartment where we are staying is just down the street. I'll be sure to tell Thierry that "Benita sent me".

Quick tip for 8 and the elevator: if you ever get her on an elevator again, make sure that whoever she is with has a SmartPhone with a flashlight app. On a December trip, while staying down the street from where you currently are, I was riding the elevator with two friends when it stopped and all lights went out. Not one of us had the sense to whip out a SmartPhone--until the lights came on and we arrived at our apartment. Who can think logically in the dark!

MarySteveChicago

Okay I am as far as June 26 and loving it with notes. W has agreed to a week at the end of our Paris trip!

So very sorry about your son's Crohn. It is a terrible affliction.

Hope you are home safely and enjoying your sculpture!

benitakaren

Stopped at second hand store after lunch. 26 bought beautiful designer raincoat. Then went back to Orangerie. 40 wanted kids to see the paintings and 26 had never been there. It is probably my favorite museum. They were finally open. Then back on six passenger golf cart (8's favorite thing to do) to Printemps to return a pair of shoes. 26 needed a gift for boyfriend so we just looked around the store.

Metro back to apartment to get ready for dinner. Went to Fables de la Fontaine on rue Dominque. Fabulous food. 71H started the evening with a Magnum of wonderful champagne. Remember since his fall, his mind is just a little off. Only 71H and 26 who really drink. The rest of us don;t drink that much. But I came to the rescue and did more than my fair share. Since it was 21 and 26's last night we did it up right.

Back to apartment to pack. 26 is the best packer in the world so it is always her job. She came to France with three suitcases (one was inside the other) and 26 needed one of her bags and 21 needed the other. So, tomorrow, we have to buy a new suitcase. Hope it is only one, because she hasn't even started to pack for 71H and me yet.

40 can be extremely funny and we were just about peeing our pants while she ran around to find everything and put it in and out of suitcases until it all fit. I went to bed at 1 a.m. but she was up until 2 a.m. getting her brother and sister ready for their flight in the morning.

cafegoddess

Hi Benita,

I too have been following you. I am stuck in Asia right, you and bikerscott have been my breakfast companion. I love Provence (who doesn't) and through your writing I am able to revisit my favorite places. I am jealous because I wish I was able to spend more time and see the market in l'Isle sur la Sorgue. Such a lovely place.

I hope 21 is feeling better. I also had to look it up.

benitakaren

Sorry for the mistake. 40 IS THE BEST PACKER IN THE WORLD. 26-no, no, no!

Cathinjoetown

Tell me more about these golf carts.

Thanks,

63 (for 5 more days) with a messed-up ankle, knee, hip, etc.

benitakaren

These carts with six passenger we found by Orangerie. But the two or three passenger being pulled by bicycle are everywhere. The golf carts, I think, are electric. The golf ones charge 5 euros per person. Be sure to get a price for wherever you want to go. These things are everywhere. The kids loved them, but I think a cab is fastest and easiest to get around.

I know some people love the bus, and I love the bus, but when on a really tight schedule I find cab easiest. I am not in Paris enough to know how to change bus lines. Only know a couple of lines.

I Hope this helps. Happy Birthday in five days and enjoy Paris.

benitakaren

A few observations. In Paris it is ok for bra strap to show; doesn't have to match the color you are wearing; the back of bra may show and also under the armpits; a very short, short skirt is acceptable; A layered tule skirt is fine for daytime; black is definitely worn in summer; footless tights are the norm and lots of lace everywhere.

Saw a man today in the Repretto store. He was wearing short, short shinny black shorts, a white t-shirt and big puffy gold la'me sneakers and had a lovely pink leather purse on his shoulder (I am assuming the purse belonged to his wife). I don't think he had a full length mirror available today.

I don't want you to think that I am any kind of fashion plate myself. Just plain ordinary US clothes. I don;t know how some of these French look so good. Here I am schlepping along, sweating my guts out and trying not to collapse on the sidewalk. Maybe it is because they are not carrying the extra weight. And while I am on that subject, how can these women be thin with all this wonderful food around. Maybe these French have different metabolisms. At least, that is what I would like to think.

Also, a lot of men carry their wives or girlfriends purses. How can I find one of those men for myself?