|
Bon Voyage, MelissaHI and others!
Hey Melissa -
Have a wonderful time in Paris! We will all be waiting anxiously for that GTG report! And to the others joining Melissa for the GTG, y'all be good now! \:D/ Au revoir! ((w)) |
My wishes to you also MelissaH for a wonderful time in Paris! Enjoy your Oct. 1st dinner. I do hope photos can be taken.
|
Bon Voyage Melissa and others who are going. Wish I were.
|
Hey Melissa-
Have a great time! Who are you meeting up with at the GTG? |
Merci! And je vien d'arrivee!!!
I arrived today and immediately went shopping at Rue St. Honore. OMG chepar.....this friend is another TCFH, she doesn't seem to "get" that when you travel, you need to respect the other culture and try not to insult them? we ate lunch today and she refused to eat her food. I tasted it, and I swear it tasted normal--not overly spiced or vinegars or anything, just normal. She made like she was going to hurl and she made fun of everything, loudly. I kept telling her to keep it down and try to respect the culture...we're not in America anymore....but she felt like, "Well, if I don't like it, there's nothing wrong...not EVERYONE can like everything they do!" Which is true, but wait till you get home to make fun. I cancelled her & her daughter's dinner reservations and left them sleeping in the room (the hotel, which she complained about) and had a lovely dinner myself at Le Violon d'Ingres. I got a photo with me and the very gracious owners. 7th Arrondissement. I'm home. And I swear it's not because of the Eiffel Tower in the neighborhood. The weather was supposed to be rainy, but it went from cold in the am. to hot & sunny in the afternoon, then only rainy at dinner time. Looking forward to the GTG tomorrow with Cookie, Amy Cox, SeaUrchin, and Barb. Yeah!!! |
Ah MelissaH, have fun at the dinner tomorrow night!! And give the gang my "hello". Just received another email from SeaUrchin which is so much fun! Sorry that you had a problem with your companions, that is not fun. But know you will enjoy your GTG.
|
Hi Melissa!
I emailed you this morning, as I didn't remember your travel dates! Have a wonderful time!!! Hang in there with your TCFH! Monica ((F)) |
So much fun hearing your "on the spot" reports. I can sympathize with you about you TCFH - I had one of those for five looooooong weeks in France. Constantly complained about every single thing.
When we got home, (separately as we split up five weeks into our six week trip HORRRRRAY.....), a friend called and said that TCFH must have had a fantastic time because she told someone else that it was a 'good' trip. :-)) It's 6:15PM in Paris now, so I guess that you are getting ready for Jim's soiree - enjoy. Anxiously awaiting your report as we will meet him on Christmas Eve. Lucky you, in Paris AND a GTG. Nina |
Well, I lost her for 4 hours today! I was supposed to pick them up at Champ de Mars at 2 (if not 2, then 3) but we kept missing each other. I finally gave up and figured they had gone on to the Louvre, so i went to the D'Orsay. My first time! I went straight to the special temporary exhibit of Carriere and Rodin, but let me warn you--it was kind of disturbing or something. I should have explored the 1st floor, then the 5th floor (Impressionists), THEN if I had time, the 2nd floor. Carriere, especially, was just a downer.
Today Mairie de Paris held a "Familathon" in the Champ de Mars. It was huge--a big stage where they had gymnastics demonstrations with local clubs, acrobats, mini race cars (apparently the toddlers have to drive STANDARD), donkey rides, balloons, a health & wellness expo, and more. Much much more. There were even firemen & EMD crews on hand to let kids sit in the emergency vehicles and try their aim with the water hose at a fake house. I ended up buying fundraiser brioche (France's version of fundraiser sweetbread) to benefit mentally handicapped kids. The city of Paris put this big event on and you could see that a lot of money & organization went into this family day. As I walked away, reflecting on what Paris does for its citizens and the cool things Chicago does for its citizens, I couldn't help but mutter, "My city sucks." I'll think about this tomorrow as I eat my fundraiser brioche and Nutella. Anyway, I was just about to leave a note for them before leaving for Jim Haynes....when they busted through the door! They had been waiting for me for 4 hours, and we apparently were in the designated spot but never saw each other??? How can that be? She was upset that she had done nothing all day. Met SeaUrchin, Barb, AmyLCox....but no Cookie at Jim Haynes. I shook Barb's hand, as promised, because I just adore her trip report. Nancy & I traded more ghost stories. Amy was so charming in her first time as a solo traveler in Paris. I am ashamed to say that I forgot my Fodors pin on my bedroom bureau at home. What a lovely party! It's not as easy to mingle as one might think. There are many people who speak French and you need to figure out who exactly speaks each others' language. We'll be posting photos soon. Anyway, I need to go to bed soon as we leave for Chinon in the morning. Au revoir for now. |
Toddlers driving cars? Yikes! :o
We've got sheep races for the kiddos here in Texas, and that's pretty strange. But cars? Did they really just sit there for 4 hours? Unreal. I had to laugh at your "busted through the door". First thing I thought of was Kramer busting through Jerry's door on Seinfeld, lol! How fun is that to have a GTG is Paris! Aloha! |
I hope that the little tykes were talking on their cell phones as they drove - it's hard to talk on your cell and shift at the same time (don't ask me how I know) :-))
So glad that you enjoyed Jim's soiree. Hopefully you were able to loose ... or because you are in France - Toulouse, TCFH in the crowd - what did they think of it? Nina |
Melissa-
Yikes! Another TCFH - I feel for you. At least you were able to get a few hours away - although the reunion later is invariably a bummer. Loving your on the spot trip report - and you're making me jealous - I was just in Paris a few months ago and am missing it already. |
I had a wonderful time at Jims dinner too, so much fun meeting interesting people from all over the world
Great to meet Melissa and Jim himself, what a character and Amy I really recommend the soiree for a lovely easy evening in Paris! Met a nuclear physis, furniture designer, airline pilot for Alaska Air, AF flight attend, a few authors, etc I would love to meet them all again In Nice now having a ball Flew down here with most of the Cuban band from Buena Vista Social Club |
For those of you into France's history, Chinon is a must. Who knew? This is where it all started for Joan of Arc after she started hearing voices...God's voice, that is, telling her to form an army and help Charles get crowned as king. She came to Chinon, made it to the castle, lobbied the king for an army, and drilled there. From there she went on to win many battles.
Chinon was a preferred spot for the royalty for a long time, so one would THINK it would have become the capital of France, but eventually that went to Paris. Chinon is now an out-of-the-way town with just 10,000 people and 4 taxis. the wine in chinon runs the gamut from light and fruity to full bodied, and all are tasty. I could drink every single one, they are all so lovely. They also specialize in preserved pears. Lesson #1 in traveling to chinon, however: Don't go after September! Everything pretty much closes up after that and there's not much in the way of commerce or activities. Side note, after "Joan of Arc" this and "Joan of Arc" that, the daughter finally asked me at the end of the visit, "Who is Joan of Arc?" GASP! SeaUrchin, no sign of a ghost at the Chateau de Marcay. Then again, I travel with Hawaiian salt as mentioned at the party! Starting to wear thin here and even started talking in my sleep (a sign of stress). I'm pretty flabbergasted that these people, who travel a LOT (and I mean, they travel a LOT!!!) are not better companions. <i>Why aren't there more signs in English? Why don't they speak English? Why do their Lays BBQ chips and Diet Cokes taste different? Why won't they take my American money? Their food is terrible--I want Italian or Japanese food.</i> I'm back in Paris now and had a fantabulous solo dinner at Le Relais de Entrecote. Had my steak "bleu" of course. Yum yum. |
Aloha Melissa!
Sounds like you are doing well on your trip!! Keep posting your stories. Have a great time! Monica |
Aloha Melissa
TCFH, lol Oh well at least the wine and food are great. Love reading your blow by blow reports. No time for Mr Right in Paris? He's there, you just have to find him, lol Aloha! |
I bet your TCFH won't try foie gras!
Have a great day and write again soon. Monica ((F)) |
Oh Melissa.... Paris AGAIN! Lucky you! Sounds like you're having a great time, except for the TCFH :-(
I'm really enjoying your updates, just wishing I were there for a GTG..... oh well maybe Cape Town one of these days..... or London, or Italy, or or or.... Keep smiling and don't let those TCFH get to you :-) Cheers Carol |
hahaha thank you for your good wishes. Internet was down yesterday so I could not post.
I stayed true to my ONE promise that I made them before the trip....that in Paris, I would walk their a**es off! Yesterday we had a lovely brunch at Laduree, then shopped a little at Fauchon, then Longchamps. Can anyone verify for me that Longchamps in Paris is cheaper than buying in the states? From there we walked the entire length of the Tuilieries. It was a lovely sunny day AGAIN! True to kid form, the daughter asked (as we were 2/3 the length of the gardens), "Are we there yet?!" I asked, "Did your a** fall off yet?" She said, "No." I replied, "Then, no!" hahahahahaaaaaa walked them into my secret side entrance to the Louvre and left them there. I took the time to treat myself to shoes & fashions on Chausee d'Antin, then met them at the Notre Dame a few hours later. It was good timing--there was a service going on and they could stay to watch some of that. From there we went to my favorite area for cheap souvenirs, to the left of the Notre Dame. Boy, did they go to town with the souvenirs! They tend to buy things as they see them, which resulted in a $15 snowglobe at the beginning of the trip. At this souvenir area, however, they found that they could get a similar snowglobe for just 2.50! I had warned them to shop around first.....ah well. Not my problem. Then, we went walking through the area. I took the route that elberko and elvira took me on when we had our GTG a few years ago. The route had us end up at Creperie des Artes, located on rue St. Andre des Artes. I am sad to say--elberko & elvira, if you are reading this--the miniature alcohol emporium that was next door to the creperie is no more. It has been about 4-5 years after all, but I was bummed out nevertheless. I was relieved that they enjoyed their crepes, and even ordered seconds. Today we wandered the Marais. Prior to that, we picked up some gourmet gifts on the rue Cler. The hot guy (think Hugh Jackman-esque) at the "Fines Epices" store seemed a little rude, claiming he learned his English from his customers "since you will not speak French." He was so good looking, though, I didn't know whether to jump his bones or slap his face. At Oliviers & Co, as I bought my truffle oil, the fun (not as hot) guy behind the counter claimed that if I cook with truffles, I'd get a man. Well, more literally, if I cook with truffles for my man, he'd ask me to marry him. How did he know I'm looking? And more freakily--how did I know what he was saying, since his whole monologue was in French? ;) From there, we wandered the Marais and had a very nice shopping day at BHV, Cacao et Chocolat, Mariage, and more. We are off to Galleries Lafayette now, will post later. A bientot mon amis!! |
p.s. Mischka, I am saving my Delta & United miles like a miser, for my Cape Town trip!!!
|
Melissa,
Or really anyone here, what exactly does TCFH mean anyway? I've figured out only that TCFH is not an endearing term. I'm loving reading your posts along the way... |
ecat - TCFH means Traveling Companion From He**
Tom |
Hi Melissa,
Yeah, we noticed the miniture place was gone when we were in Paris last year. Guess we all should have BOUGHT something! ~Liz |
Longchamps .. all of mine are from Paris, with the exception of one that I bought in NYC a few years ago. The one that I bought in NYC was the smaller black fold into itself one with the bown handle. I think I paid $100 for it maybe three years ago. I also have the large one that I bought in Paris, probably 10 yrs. ago which was only about $50 or less, but the dollar was much stronger then. It's been in Russia, Tanzania, Central America .. and still looks like new.
I never compare - and I'm sure most of you don't either, because it is worth sooooo much more because it came from Paris :-)) With the dollar being so horrible now, I would assume that the prices are the same or maybe a little cheaper here. Nina |
Galleries Lafayette is crawling with Chinese & Korean tourists. Forget the shades of communism! Designer status items are the rage!!
A Chinese gal (I can say this because I am Chinese)--who smelled really Chinesey--came up to me today and was severely desperate. She had already bought her quota of Louis Vuitton items and needed to buy at least 32 more wallets. She asked me to help her buy them and gave me the exact descriptions. She then handed me a WAD of euros. I mean, a WAD!!!! Where do the Chinese people get this kind of cash? I don't even carry that kind of cash! Then she hid around the corner. I went in to LV and ordered the 3 wallets. 2 were available. I was ALMOST ready to do the deed, when suddenly the saleswoman jumped back and said, "I'm sorry, I can't sell this to you. It needs to be for you." I said, "It IS for me." She said, "I'm sorry, but we have had many problems today with people trying to buy too many. These are not for you. If they are indeed for you, then I'm sorry, please come back another day. But these, I cannot sell you." I had to go back to the Chinese girl and give her the stack of cash back. I apologized profusely and she seemed to be super bummed out. Hell, I don't even own an LV item! WTF? |
Today we took a PAris Walks tour of Montmartre. Who knew.....this weekend is the MONTMARTRE WINE FESTIVAL???
www.fetedesvednagesdemontmartre.com After the walking tour, we walked around the tents at Sacre Cour and tasted a ton of wines. Wine, as you know, is cheaper than water in France. Each glass is like, 1-2 euros. You can also buy glasses of champagne at 4-5 euros and keep the glass. Fabulous~! They had smoked sausages, oysters, potatoes, honey, fruits, mushrooms, cheeses, tortes, and more. The mayor came and cut a ribbon to "officially" open the festival. Sign me up for next year. Only....next year, I will be alone, and you fodorites will join me there. Right? |
>A Chinese gal (I can say this because I am Chinese)--who smelled really Chinesey< :D
sounds like you're having a great time. I had heard about the LV thing before - that Asian tourists have been known to approach people, requesting that they purchase LV goods for them. I don't know why LV would put a limit on what you can purchase from them - it seems weird, doesn't it - that a retail store says people have been buying "too much" from them. |
Melissa:
You should have asked the lv sales nazi if you smelt chinesey when they wouldn't sell you the wallets, lol......that's why I now travel in asia, I only have to worry about the smells :) Aloha! |
Too funny you guys!
Well, I learned a lot on this trip. Maybe I just confirmed, as Barb said, "This is why I will travel alone from now on." It was very difficult and embarrassing at times because the 2 would not try to communicate in French (as in, Parlez vous Anglais?) first and, like my TCFH from last time, would charge in and just start talking in English. I kept telling them to try to respect the culture and remember that we were not in America anymore, but to no avail. Like my last TCFH trip, I was lucky in that most people were very nice to me. Many people tried to make chitchat with me in the Metro, and I was just beside myself. I can't speak a lick of French! Finally, one woman asked me, "Parlez vous Francais?" And I shook my head. Which was stupid, because obviously, I just understood her. I forgot to tell you that we went to Le Florimond the other night and it was fabulous. At the end of the night, the chef/owner Pascal Guilliamin came out and a whole party of 10 applauded him. As he came to our table, I asked to take a picture with him, and the look on his face said, "Oh, GAWD," but he very politely obliged. Try the lobster raviolis! My friend had the fish with a dill sauce but was hesitant to order it because she didn't like the fish we had in Chinon. I had to convince her that not all fish is prepared the same, and all chefs have their own recipes. I can't believe I had to convince her! Luckily, she enjoyed it very much. |
I now see that my Montmartre Wine Festival link does not work. I'll check it when I get home and try to post a valid one.
Back to Chicago! I will finish the report later with some restaurant & shopping reviews. a bientot everyone! |
This is a GREAT read!! Thanx for sharing and welcome home.
|
Also, tonight (October 7) is the city-wide "Nuit Blanche," an all night festival from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. There are tents set up all over the city, with artworks, crafts & food, books, and even a jogging area with the running club(s). Damn! I wish I had booked for one more night.
OK I just checked, and I don't know why the previous link did not work. here is the link to the wine festival, although you can google Montmartre Wine Festival and you will get quite a few informational links. http://www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com/ Well, I thought I was going to review another restaurant, but I guess that was pretty much it! The first lunch, by the way, was at L'Ardoise. It was fantastic. I had a foie gras ravioli to start and it was heavenly. The salad they had (and hated) was a simple salad with a light vinagrette topped with quail--very light, a very lovely lunch salad. I'd go there again in an instant. Actually, I guess I will go back again. At the last Honolulu GTG, I think I told Hawaiiantraveler that the Euro is so strong that I'm probably going to go back to visiting Asia starting next year (gourmet tour with Mari808??). But Paris is addicting--after a day there, even with a TCFH, I immediately needed to start planning my return! And really....since I've now had two Paris trips in a row with a TCFH, shouldn't I press the "reset" button and have a "do over?" ;) I'm currently in Des Plaines, Illinois, but will post my photos next week. Thanks, you guys! Your comments were great and really helped me calm down and enjoy my trip better--it was as if you were all there with me. And I wish you were! |
Absolutely delightful, darlin! I've enjoyed every morsel! I think I've put on 5 pounds just drooling over all your wonderful food :@)
Just today DH and I have decided to return to Paris next April! Yippee! But shhhhh...I'm not telling a soul. My last 2 trips have had the TCFHx2, and this time no hitchhikers allowed! Have a safe flight back to Oahu. Aloha! |
Oh, Nina, I just realized that I didn't answer you. The TCFH & her daughter said they enjoyed Jim's food! I was so relieved. I don't think they mingled much, though. The problem is, TCFH always feels hot so being in a crowded room (or a hotel with no air conditioning) roasts her.
I just realized something about TCFH's, and I think you'll agree....usually they are "Me"-centric, inflexible, and expect everything to be like they are at home. They don't research their destination and when they get there, everything is a problem! Case in point: The week prior, I was in Chicago with 2 coworkers who had never been. We have different interests, shopping needs, physical activity levels, and diets. But we had a blast! There was a lot of give and take in doing things, each of us took initiative in taking the lead on things, and we were flexible enough to do things on our own if the other 2 did not have the same interest. We were game to do everything and wanted to try as much as possible--recognizing that the trip was a great opportunity that not everyone gets to enjoy. We're looking forward to New Orleans next year! (I've been, they haven't.) |
<<apparently the toddlers have to drive STANDARD>>.
Best line in a trip report ever! |
Welcome home Melissa -
You made lemonade with those lemons. Thanks for the info on Jim - if THEY liked the food - I am starting to worry :-)) Good friends travel to France five or six times a year, Paris and then driving to different areas for various festivals, inns, restaurants, etc.. When friends suggest that they travel together, my friend tells them, loud and clear, that they might be uncomfortable in the car, as she and her husband like to 'make whoopie' while driving from place to place, and that passengers often get embarassed. If you knew this couple, in their mid-seventies, you would be laughing your head. She said that she'd love to try it, but with two new hips, she would probably get stuck in the steering wheel and take an entire town with her. Nina |
Aloha Mels!!! Wonderful on the spot reporting... I also am drooling on the keyboard over all the delish food you've described.
Sounds like Des Plaines was a good spot to decompress before heading home?! I so enjoyed our time at Ditka's in Chicago... udabessistah! ((R)) |
Makai, I had a blast as well. As always. Looking forward to visiting Chicago again!
OK so here are my Paris photos: http://tinyurl.com/k2vdt |
Great pics! I'm jealous - a Paris GTG!
|
Super duper job on the pics, Melissa. All the little festivals are so cool! I never knew there was a "love" wall. I'll have to hunt that down.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:30 PM. |