kerouac, I posted this earlier:

Author: cigalechanta
Date: 01/02/2007, 08:56 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/wo...mp;oref=slogin

This sounds like such a fun trip, marcy. Seamus is a very nice man and he would make a great adopted son. Don't forget he needs an adopted sister. (me) ;;)

Thanks for all your kind words! I'm considering adoption applications, but I'm not sure that I can handle any more than the wild bunch I've been put in charge of already! :-O


And thanks for the link, Mimi, and kerouac, thanks for the input- yes, homelessness is definitely a problem, and one with no easy solution.

I wouldn't avoid the area around the Gare du Nord because of it, and I didn't feel unsafe at all, but it was unsettling.

Other fun things in Paris at Christmas:
Loved, loved, LOVED the window displays at the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps http://tinyurl.com/y87var, and all the lights on the buildings. Actually, I don’t know whether it was more fun to look at the window displays or at the faces of the little children looking at the window displays. http://tinyurl.com/tz88l

Cute little Christmas market buildings all around the St. Germain church. http://tinyurl.com/t2oo5

Hot mulled wine from booths on the streets, and roasted chestnuts from street vendors. I think that I like smelling them and holding them to keep warm more than I like eating them, though.

One thing that’s not so great about Paris at Christmas:
Huge long lines and crowds at all of the museums. We decided to save most of our museum-going for another trip. We did go to the Carnavalet museum, which is always interesting- and free!

Another area we visited for the first time was the Francois Mittrrand library, Bercy Park, and Bercy village. THe library is imposing with its four massive towers and “sunken” forest in the middle. According to at least one source, it’s the largest library in the world. We wandered around inside a little and looked at some temporary exhibits. It’s a very interesting place, and worth a visit.

Next we crossed the footbridge over the Seine to Bercy Park, and stopped and watched skateboarders in the skatepark for a while. Bercy Park is HUGE and looks like a lovely park- I’d like to go back in warmer weather.

We walked the length of the park down to the Bercy Village. http://tinyurl.com/vtou2
This is an area of old wine warehouses that have been converted to an upscale shopping area, with some nice restaurants and bars, as well. We spent quite a bit of time in the book and video store there, so now I’m all set with French books to read and videos to watch!

This really is a great area, and I’m surprised I hadn’t heard more about it.

Anyway, it was a terrific trip, and somehow much more carefree than Christmas usually is at home. We'd love to do it again.

dang! waiter!

We knew what you meant, Mimi! ;;)

marcy, I had hoped to catch up with you in Provence but Something happened that we cancelled our trip. Would you please top that trip report for me?

Marcy, what a nice report. I like the way you intersperse the narrative with the click-on photos.

Oh, MImi, you've caught me!
I'm ashamed to say that I'm still procrastinating on that trip report- but it was a wonderful trip.

I know that last year was a tough year for you- I hope that this year you'll be able to take your trip as usual.

Marcy,
I just got home from a long aggravating day and was delighted to travel vicariously to Paris with you and your family. We love the badger! I am endlessly jealous that you will be back in France in two weeks. Ah well, I can at least enjoy the trip reports and look forward to our trip in March. Have a happy New Year.

I can't promise that I won't eat much, but I am fully housebroken, great with kids and young folks so can help you manage the brood, and promise not to ever use wire hangers.

This is so great. You had me as soon as I opened that badger pic. Absolutely, friggin priceless.

Sounds like the perfect, crazy/quirky setting for a big family get together -- I'm sure every person will remember this trip with a huge smile for years to come. And I'm so glad to know about this ice grooming issue at Hotel de Ville -- that explains everything --like why I sucked so badly... please tell us more and keep the pictures coming.

It was great meeting you Marcy! I really enjoyed reading your trip report and seeing all your pictures!
Chez Denise really was great...I will look forward to reading your review of it when you write one ;)

I can't wait to try some of the great places you describe on our next trip there!

That was a lovely report marcy - can you explain (in short)how one can slip in a photo or two?? I am a real novice on the computer, so if it's complicated don't even try to explain!

Great report. Makes me want to return to Paris.

Mind if I ask how much the tickets were to the Cirque show?
Do you know if it will still be there in April?
Thanks

Marcy

I really liked the way you put links to pictures within your trip report. It really made your report come alive. I'm glad you had a wonderful time with your family. I have to say I'm a little jealous that you get to go back so soon! :)

Johanna

Marcy

Your trip report was very warmly written, congratulations on such a beautiful style of writing, I loved reading every minute of it, I often wondered what Christmas was like in Paris, and you have brought it to life for me

well done
Lucie

Lovely... makes me sigh with envy. Oh my how I can see being away at Christmas!
And really, sprinkling in your pictures really does "take us there"...

Aw, shucks!:">
Thanks for the nice comments!

tod, to put the pictures in, I use photobucket.com If you use a digital camera and have you pictures on your computer you can upload them onto photobucket for free.

Then I copy the URL link that it gives you for the picture and make a shorter url using tinyurl.com. (You wouldn't have to do this step, but the links are a little long otherwise)

Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy.

Bettina, the tickets for the circus were about 40 euros apiece. They have cheaper tickets- maybe as low as about 20 euros, but it was SO great having front row seats!

Unfortunately, I think it only runs through March.

What a great report, and an interesting apartment. :)