I hope I can keep y’all entertained enough to follow this – I have horrid guilt that keeps me up at night because I gain a LOT of information from my fellow Fodorites, but am horrible about writing a trip report to give back. I do contribute to individual questions, but really am a troll about actual reports.

To (hopefully!) fix that I’m going to start a ‘blog-ish’ thread – here’s the plan for Paris, it's a of “29 yr old professional women leave their husbands for Paris” sort of tale… Sounds like a catchy storlyline so far? Well, I don't know the whole plot yet! And I’m not a good writer, so I hope I do the tale justice to keep you folks reading!

My idea is that if I start writing, thrown in a few questions, perhaps write a post or two during my 5 day trip, and have a few readers, then I’ll succumb to the peer pressure to write a report. We’ll see how it goes...

I want to begin posting this, but can’t think of a title for the thread?!? Am I the only one who worries about that before posting? I have to think of something quirky, or catchy, or unique... otherwise I KNOW I run the risk of the Fodor’s Police, giving me a verbal beating about my post title instead of sharing info. But perhaps I’m the only one in fear of that special branch of the FP who deal with title-posting.

(D@mn, still don’t know the word for Police in French, or how to say numbers, or interpret menus... Oh, right, I haven’t told them I’m a complete Francophobe & didn’t have France on my ‘must visit’ list for the next decade...)

Look at flights/miles/options - yep, this is doable - USAir FF sale! Only 17,500 miles in one direction, 50K in the other! I'm going to Paris, I'm going to Paris - in 31 days!

Then the - OMG, how do I tell my husband? I literally called a good mutual friend to ask her if I could book the tickets, or if I had to wait and discuss it with DH. Yes, she sided with reason & knocked a bit of the wind out of my sails. However, all I know is that I have to find the RIGHT way to tell DH I'm going to Paris, and it's a done deal. This marriage thing is NOT at all as bad as tv-sitcoms make it out to be! I am still an independent woman! Much to my husband's dismay...

On that note I must do something productive yet menial – like laundry. That way I will appear to be the good wife - but still the wife preparing to leave for Paris in 6 days!

Leaving for Paris is six days! Good for you travelphile. And I would think any husband could survive. How long will you be in Paris? It sounds like you will have a friend go with you. Fun! And you better give us a trip report, lol, we will want to hear about your trip and the good and the bad.

Back to the story...
Random Tuesday in January
31 days Until Paris – except I have still have no clue I’m going.

10 AM – call from M to home (roommate in grad school), then cell – ignore them both as I’m trying to get out the door (I haven’t yet mentioned my dislike for mornings – I hope I enjoy them more when they involve French pastries) – hmm? Wonder what she’s up to? 10:05, another call from M –hmm? Wonder what she needs? Hey wait, she lives in PA, me in NY, her family in ID – uhoh, she must need something – is she sick? Break a leg? Have to put a beloved pet down? Get fired? Have a fire? Switch to a different job? College? (We are both college administrators) Could she be driving to visit for the weekend? Trying to meet in the middle to ski? OMG, I better call her back!

Well fellow travel nuts - you can already see my penchant for excitability! Thankfully it’s not all negative thoughts, but I can easily be sidetracked & readied for action at a moments notice! Or so I thought.

Trying to now shorten this up – I call M – she says Paris or Amsterdam next month – PUHLEEZE? Tix are cheap, we’ll be really budget conscious, how can we pass up this chance if we have the time??

Rational me says, nope, can’t do it, just got back from the EU with sticker shock & promised I wouldn’t cross the pond for 2 years – promised I’d see more of my own country while the dollar was weak. It’s the patriotic (read: cheap) thing to do. (Recession, what recession?) Then I realize...

OOHH, she pulled the “time card” – she has me. Time is my biggest enemy & she has such a valid point that – “when else will we have time to pull this off.” Sold.

I say ok ok, I’ll look into it, run out the door to work, get sent home sick by department secretary about 3PM without having given Paris or Amsterdam 10 seconds of thought. Seriously, was SO busy at work I didn’t even have time to Orbitz, check FF miles, anything!

BUT, when sent home sick I stopped at the library, and realizing that from where I am, Amsterdam is 3 flights (4 airports) whereas Paris can be made with only 2 flights (3 airports), Leave library at 4 PM with Frommers Paris guide and a quiet notion that perhaps I could pull this off. *Note – still have not mentioned this to hubby.

**Note – last April had a phone call to meet someone in EU for few days, 2 mos later we were out the door to Barcelona & London for 9 days… DH is afraid of such ‘fun’ offers for travel from our friends. Very afraid.

By end of night - I'm still married (happily on my part!) and I've leaving for France on Feb 8th by way of Philly - Fantastic!

M is so excited she's planning everything - whoa! Not ME, the psycho-check-every-travel-detail queen gets to just show up in Paris with the hotel & such taken care of - I could get used to this!

good luck...
the word for police in Paris is.... police

There are some other terms used for various law enforcement people at times and in different types of cities or political areas of France, but the word really is "police" in Paris. This is their URL
www.prefecture-police-paris.interieur.gouv.fr

Plans are:
Arrive Sat AM, RER to Villa Saint Martin near the canal in the 10th. 4 nights for price of three - great ratings on Tripadvisor, breakfast included... Leave Wednesday within the same half hour - perfect!

Hotel & Airfare for 4 nights in Paris: $280 - yes, seriously $.I am new to the FF world and am in a euphoric state that miles are actually worth something and are useable - all you hear are horror stories.

So M and I talk and our theme for the trip is "mellow". We don't care to rush about, neither of us speak a lick of French (I say Champs exactly like the chain athletic store in the US), but both have traveled enough to have manners & etiquette enough to learn the appropriate phrases, dress non-american-ish, etc. I am a foodie & will spend anything on good food/drink. I LOVE the hours spent at a table. M could care less and is going to teach me the finer points of eating off the street, cheaply, quickly, and wonderfully. I look forward to it and wonder if I will succumb to the need for fine dining? Do I have the willpower to be a budget traveler????

We both made top 10 lists & neither has any issues with the other, they match on 4 or 5 things, but they differ greatly as well. Hers was Museum Rodin, etc, mine was catacombs & to “eat at least one Éclair per day”, so we’ll be great travel partners.

Our biggest decision – to Versailles or not to Versailles? We’re torn – if we feel a need to leave the city we’ll head on a train (we’re by the RER station, Gard Est? Norde? Both are close, I’ll have an inconspicuous map in my hand when I need to know!). But if we can’t get enough of Paris we’ll use the day to explore.

I’ve gotten a great list of paper stores and now I need to map where the honey store is. Sorry, don’t have my notes near as I do at least know the name/address of the store! I’m always wondering how to better organize my travel ‘things’, but I always pull it off by the time I go.

But I DO like to have MONTHS, not weeks, to learn about a place. While I am excited that the trip just appeared on the itinerary that is my daily life, I miss the opportunity to read about Paris in all its forms – historical, personal accounts, actual travel guides, movies based there… I do miss that anticipation!

LoveItaly - I love the reminder that of course my husband would survive - nicely chose words! He can certainly get along by himself, but he'll be surviving, not thriving

Christina - thanks! That is expert knowledge! It does look like our hits have crashed the site for the evening, lol.

DH works for a large international manufacturing company that had a Frenchman come over for a week... last week the poor man. I accosted him at happy hour to teach me to say things... things that I most embarrassedly must admit to not remembering how to pronounce. I made the man do all that work across a perfectly good happy hour & I couldn't say anything EXCEPT the Champs yet. But I suppose even that is progress

I do speak a bit of Italian, a bit of Spanish and quite a bit American Sign Language... so perhaps some of it will come together for me in France? A girl can dream, can't she?

Newest update... M can't go. Family member in ICU & M is headed the other way across the globe...

I am first just sad plain old sad for M - so sad. She tells me to go, still go without her. People at work question - will you go by yourself?? Why not I say? Only to myself do I quietly question my sanity and think maybe I should cancel. But then...

I think back to all my Fodors reading over the years on the fun random threads - reading about packing hell, jet lag, Umbrella or no umbrealla? Traveling solo, safety, best places to people watch, fights with traveling partners... Well, I am my own worst enemy (it's a song)- so will I be a bad travel partner???

Then came the calm. Wow, cool, a jaunt to Paris completely on my own!I can do this! I am decidely ok with 5 days alone. To hell with work, life, a schedule, taking down the (live) Christmas tree, the class I'm taking... No need to cancel - go explore the world!

There will be time for reflection, no stress, no one to worry about, no one to work around, talk to... Talk to? No one to talk to?

OH Hell - I can't survive 5 days with only ME! I'll be that person who talks to anyone in bars, coffee shops & even airports.

I decided to take action & call in my friends! After all, hotel is prepaid on skoosh, so no need to cancel my FF ticket! It only 'cost' 47500 miles from eastern US - round trip! Paris here I come...

This one's for you travelphile.

http://tinyurl.com/2jdvcu

I don't know how the story will play out. I have friends who thought I was crazy (rightfully so), some who said haha and wouldn't take me seriously, some no's due to work or cost of flight. I've emailed 2 overseas who haven't responded yet...

BUT, I have one fantastic MAYBE. One of my favorite people has the FF miles, we'd meet in PHL to arrive/leave Paris on same flights, hotel taken care of alredy. Free trip to Paris says she? The intrigue has captured her! YES!

OMG, this sounds too good to be true! Alas, I am left hanging as she straightens out the work situation with only 41 hours until she would need to be in the air

I LOVE that I have friends as crazy as I who would even consider going! Professonal job, two great (little) kids, a life full of responsibility. But like me, feels the pull & the excitement. She understands that time well spent is worth more anything.

**Remember, only 47500 miles for round trip to Paris from small local US airports. Then only $404 USD for 4 nights in a 3* business class hotel by Canal St. Martin - Wow once again!

OMG, can I really do Paris on very little money no schedule or expectations? PRICELESS!! I feel like an 4th grader at Christmas, but I may still not get my red-rider... Bad joke - sorry.

I make a mental note that I would owe her husband - bigtime. Yes, I would give him a card to play at any time if he goes along with my scheme! I know it's not set, but I cross my fingers and HOPE!

My Dear Husband thinks I am absoutely nuts - he cannot understand it. He thought I was crazy planning it 30 days out... now inviting other people with less than 48 hours to go? He's thoroughly questioning my sanity!

But he still is wonderful & is not bothered by my antics... I make a mental note that I owe HIM, & then I just plain sit here grinning.

I've never written for fun before - I hate writing and am terribly informal - but this is fun, it's capturing me.

The cartoon captures my need to be that slightly different person(read: carefree! Reformed type A) while I'm gone. BUT, DH was the first person I called to join me, and he laughed at me. 1st for reasons I've already stated - he cannot fathom hopping across the pond without months of EXTENSIVE planning... all done by me...

2nd - he is leaving before I return fo an annual VT winter extravaganza, so Paris isn't the pull that it could be other times of the year. Plus, I think he's an even bigger Francophobe!

BUT, I'm scared of all things French, and keep concentrating on trip details & drama instead of hardcore research.

I've been packing and unpacking again - I've done trains to 5 cities in 15 days with only a roll on - I can do this no problem! But it's FRANCE!? How can I possibly pull off not offending the whole country?

What if I have to eat duck? What if I cut the nose off the cheese? What if I'd rather have Italian than any other food (Southern or Northern) no matter what part of the world I'm in? How bad will I get ripped off for butchering transcations - OH, my ASL - I can do the Seinfield trick and play deaf. Wait - already established I'm too social for that...

So yes, if I do have any readers, I will get back to the actual business of Paris soon. But until then, I have the best damn packing job ever! There's 15 hours into it in the last 3 days, but I am ready for any situation!

I have bubble wrap to bring wine home, I've separated all my apprpriately sized liquids, thought purposefully about a book that will capture me if the East Coast snow also captures me. Oh right, to most people packing means clothes.

I've chosen bold colors, paired with simple black & 'fun' grey pants, great walking shoes, and I splurged and packed a pair of black boots - to hell with the cobblestones I worried about in Italy & Spain & Ireland... Boots are a necessity - I am going to PARIS after all!

OK, so yes I've had 3 guidebooks in the last month, but haven't gotten extensive - we're keeping the theme of the trip 'mellow'.

Top Ten list (no particular order or reason):
1. Sorbonne (before I learned it is a closed campus)
2. Baths (seem to be closed to the public since 2003)
3. Eiffel @ night - climb!
4. Louvre - but has a low priority note next to it. Yes, I could really skip the Louvre. Curse me. I've done the Vatican, Uffuzi, Museum of Britain... If who I'm with wants the Louvre, I'll go, but not if I end up by myself.
5. Catacombs
6. Marches & Fauchon - or similar
7. Versailles - low priority w only 4 days in city
8. Sampling 1+ chocolate pastry per day. That's my Gelato equivilant for France...
9. Sewer tour - can't resist. Tried, it made the list anyway. This is probably my only MUST item out of all of them. Sad but true.
10. Wine bars - took notes of least expensive from the guidebooks.

Since two don't count I'll throw in: Touring both islands - the names escape me - Cite & Louie in my head. However, since I can't pronounce them they haven't properly been committed to memory.

Obviously room for suggestions & improvements - but trying to keep with the mellow theme, wander the streets & discover whatever captures my attention span!

travelphile,

Oh my - I give you soo much credit! I could never pull off a trip in 30 days, especially to a country that I was slightly afraid to visit. But, I really think you will enjoy the trip all the more for it! Not to go all Oprah on you, but I really have become one of those people who say that you should go after things that scare you a little.

Can't believe M can't go! Hope her family is doing OK, and I hope your other friend can indeed go with you. Too bad DH can't make it, but if you really enjoy your time in Paris(and c'mon, who can't?!) I'm sure he will be more then willing to try it himself.

Fantastic prices for accomodation by the way! Nice to here you are near a metro station, but if I could make one recommendation about transport? Do try walking as much as you can - you will really get a much better feel for the city that way.

What days of the week will you be there? Have you thought about a street market? There's a wonderful market in the 11th district on Thursdays and Sundays called the Richard Lenoir Market or Bastille Market - markets are a fantastic thing to do, and you can find all things from produce, fruits, french salts, jams, honeys, rotisserie chicken, etc.

I've never been, but others enjoy the Rue Mouffetard Market in the 5th, but I can't remember which days it runs.

Did you want to do a Seine River cruise? That's always fun for 1st timers, and many time it right so that they are on the cruise at sunset, and you can see the Eiffel Towering twinkling from a distance!

Make sure you have lots of crepes, go to a cafe, and when you visit the islands(Ile Cite and Ile Saint Louis) do try and spend some time on the Ile Saint Louis - there are loads of small shops, and we loved the crepes from the creperie on the Island - there is even a take out window if you want to just grab a bite. Make sure to visit Berthillion for it's fabulous ice cream, and if you are in a mood for gelato, Amorino isn't too far away.

It seemed like you were very nervous about not speaking french, which is very understandable. But, as someone who felt the same way as you on my first trip, please don't make the same mistakes I did. I really hesitated about going into boulangeries(bakeries) or cafes since I thought I would make a fool out of myself by not knowing how to say what I wanted. Don't worry - just be polite and remember key phrases like "bonjour", "sil vous plat", etc. Lots of times, I just had to point to what I wanted, and I got my point across.

I'm really enjoying your report so far by the way, and I hope you finish it up when you return!

Oh my goodness I am reeling from reading your posts, its as if you don't take a breath,, LOL Obviously you are an energetic person.. LOL

First, GO on your own, it will be fun.
Second, don't be afraid of Paris, I personally am afraid of most American cities except Honolulu, Paris is relatively alot safer!
Third,, the Catacombs are closed till April, don't go. Check out website.
Fourth, consider doing a Fat Tire Bike tour, they have a daytime one that would be fun, I've done the nightine and loved it( and I did not expect to , I didn't even want to do it , but I had taken a friend to Paris and she insisted we go, ugh) these are really really fun, only problem with night tour is you end up back at their offices at like 11 or 11:30 and it is kind of deserted around there so not as fun to find your way to metro or taxi when alone . We also did the tour to Versailles with them and that was a hoot. Google them for website.

This is exciting! Good luck (if on your own) and have a great time.

I was traveling for work yesterday... sorry to leave all hanging and glad to know my crazy-informal-energetic writing has some readers able to follow it!

News from M in Cali is BAD, family member 'on death's doorstep' was the last message - there's definitely some guilt that I'm headed off for this wonderful time when it was all her idea... now she's in her own personal hell

As for the report news - DH was a naysayer - I got TWO wonderful friends to join me on 48 hours notice! I know both of them from college - we're talking over a decade ago, and we're fairly similar in age/professional jobs/lifestyles - and all have extremely high fun-quotients!

One is the Londoner who is coming for 36 hours across the weekend. She joined me in Barcelona in June and then I stayed with her in London for 3 days, so we are well acquinted as travel partners.

The other - K - is one of my aforementioned favorite people ever! We became best friends in college, maid of honor in each other's weddings... all that. And it is K whose husband now has a significant IOU from me!

K and I are able to meet in PHL and fly over together & back. Except she used only 60K miles (UsAir) and got Envoy both ways! I'm going to try to upgrade to a seat with her when in PHL. No fair that I book a month ahead and get applejuice while she books 40 hours ahead and gets Champagne! But if that is the least of my troubles - then life is damn good - which it is!

Anna - yes on the Siene cruise - I assume we'll choose to spend some of our time on one - but b/c it is Feb weather has left that one up in the air. Forcast looks promising though! The first two days depend on what the Londoner wants to do - she's been to Paris 3 times in the last 3 years, so if she' hasn't done something (Versailles I hope!) we'll plan that around her time with us. Our days are Sat-Wed afternoon, so we will miss that wonderful Thursday market

I have 'learned' enough simple French to not be a rude/scared traveler - and I didn't worry when I went to Switzerland. So while I am sure I will have humorous language encounters, I am thankfully not overwhelmed by them. Thanks for the Gelato rec's... Londoner said she has one we have to visit, but didn't give me the name.

Hoping to only use the metro to/from airport and Versailles, but weather might make us wimps! (Paris should be about 20 degrees warmer than Western NY, so I think we'll be fine.)

bozama -
Did not know about the Catacombs - thanks!! The bike tour sounds fabulous, not sure I'll have time to Google it (@ work and leaving for airport within 2 hrs), but have two guidbooks with, so I bet Fat Tire is in one of them.

I just had a person ask me where I was going - Um just a quick jaunt to Paris, I'll be back in 5 days - and tell me no matter WHAT not to miss Versailles... heard that 3 times in the last two days, so I think we go.

GG - meeting at 12 and that about wraps it up. I have 4 hours in PHL, so may find internet time And I know I'll post a time or two while I'm gone.

Merci to all who check in!

(I said merdi to one of my students yesterday - oops! Glad I messed that up on someone I knew!)

travelphile,

That's awesome that you got TWO of your friends to go with you! Equally amazing that your friend K got a ticket with FF miles.

When I recommended the river cruise, I forgot what time of year it is! But if the weather is nice, I'm sure you and K will enjoy it.

The market I mentioned is not just on Thursday - it's also open on Sundays, which is right during your stay. I hope all of you can go to at least one street market.

Since your london friend has been there 3x, maybe K and yourself can go on alone to any sites that London friend doesn't want to go back to - maybe she can show you how to use the metro system(I'm guessing she knows how to use it), and then you can still see the sites you originally planned to go to.

By the way, are you leaving tomorrow? If so, have a fantastic trip!

Bon voyage!

Hey all... the EU keyboard has me all messed up so this will be short! Great time, no issues other than asking everyone I meet 'parle Italiano'?

K says this of Paris - the food is fabulous! She is the 1 who joined within 48 hrs & did no research- meaning she is great to travel with as she has no expectations! & she is thankfully not as directionally challenged as I.

Currently we are hqving white wine in the hotel bar; hotel saint martin; which I would recommend...

Dinner last night at Flo- in 10th - rec by the Rough Guide & was a fantistic overall experience- not within the budget M & I would have kept!

Londoner just left on the train, she aimed today's itinerary at Montmarte for being "mellow. We had pastries from the same shop on the way up and back, but we didt get its name either time!

We were leisurely; saw the church & views, and enjoyed amazing time wandering together. shops were v neat.


Keyboard killing me, so no more writing now!

ps fat tire tours not scheduled now

You've lost me.
What is a Fracophobe?