Hot & Bothered: Making the Best of Paris, Belgium & Netherlands While Sick
Jul 27th, 2009, 05:53 PM
#24
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Oh dear, mms, I'm heading to Paris later this summer. Two of my supervisors left for Paris earlier in the year (separate trips) and both ended up being fired upon their return! I really hope Parisian trips are not all jinxed!
Now, on with the story STW!
Now, on with the story STW!
Jul 27th, 2009, 06:03 PM
#25
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<b><i>7/11/09 Day One: The Longest Day of Our Lives – Even Longer than Childbirth…</b></i>
I need to take a moment to back track here…Just so you know, two weeks before our trip I told DH that if he didn’t get himself to the doctor, I was going to Paris by myself and that I was going to pick up a Frenchman to keep me company. He went. I also told him to ask the doctor if he had the damn swine flu. He did and he didn’t. DH’s ear felt well on the flight and that was a relief. His night cough even subsided a bit, particularly when the flight attendants started passing around H1N1 forms. A serious matter to be sure, but there was no way I was letting this trip get screw..err…messed up.
Anyway, while in the taxi (by the way, a very decent driver – must have been an anomaly, lol) I noticed a Monoprix. After check-in that was our first stop as we needed to get some bottled water.
So here we are, in Paris
sometime around noon, heading out the hotel door to hunt down that Monoprix. No surprise that we headed in the very wrong direction and walked until our jetlag bodies could walk no more. Unfortunately this would not be the only occasion where we instinctively headed in the wrong direction – we became masters at it and yes we used a map. At this point, we were almost to the Arc de Triomphe and decided to turn around and head the other way.
Shortly before we reached the hotel entrance, there was a crêpe stand. The water could wait. Not knowing the lay of the land, DH stood in line at the stand not realizing that you had to go into the shop to pay first and then wait on line for the crêpes. He ordered two Nutella crêpes at 3.50 euros a piece - one for him and one for me.
While DH waited in a rather long line, I began pacing around looking for the Monoprix but to no avail. I proceeded to walk back towards DH and wait up against one of the buildings. Watching people make their way through the crowd is a very enjoyable activity, especially on the Avenue des Champs Elysées. I started to notice people were making a detour around a particular part of the sidewalk. A stretch of sidewalk I already explored. My eyes began to zoom in…pinpointing the problem, the avoidance…Oh No!
I slowly lifted my right foot to take a peek and there it was…Doggie Doo Doo. 
French Doggie Doo Doo. I knew I had to examine my left shoe…my new canvas sneakers with nice treads for walking, very nice and clean shoes … I lifted to look…it was worse than the other. Just at that moment, my darling husband stands before me with my Nutella crêpe. 
I need to take a moment to back track here…Just so you know, two weeks before our trip I told DH that if he didn’t get himself to the doctor, I was going to Paris by myself and that I was going to pick up a Frenchman to keep me company. He went. I also told him to ask the doctor if he had the damn swine flu. He did and he didn’t. DH’s ear felt well on the flight and that was a relief. His night cough even subsided a bit, particularly when the flight attendants started passing around H1N1 forms. A serious matter to be sure, but there was no way I was letting this trip get screw..err…messed up.
Anyway, while in the taxi (by the way, a very decent driver – must have been an anomaly, lol) I noticed a Monoprix. After check-in that was our first stop as we needed to get some bottled water.
So here we are, in Paris
sometime around noon, heading out the hotel door to hunt down that Monoprix. No surprise that we headed in the very wrong direction and walked until our jetlag bodies could walk no more. Unfortunately this would not be the only occasion where we instinctively headed in the wrong direction – we became masters at it and yes we used a map. At this point, we were almost to the Arc de Triomphe and decided to turn around and head the other way. Shortly before we reached the hotel entrance, there was a crêpe stand. The water could wait. Not knowing the lay of the land, DH stood in line at the stand not realizing that you had to go into the shop to pay first and then wait on line for the crêpes. He ordered two Nutella crêpes at 3.50 euros a piece - one for him and one for me.
While DH waited in a rather long line, I began pacing around looking for the Monoprix but to no avail. I proceeded to walk back towards DH and wait up against one of the buildings. Watching people make their way through the crowd is a very enjoyable activity, especially on the Avenue des Champs Elysées. I started to notice people were making a detour around a particular part of the sidewalk. A stretch of sidewalk I already explored. My eyes began to zoom in…pinpointing the problem, the avoidance…Oh No!
I slowly lifted my right foot to take a peek and there it was…Doggie Doo Doo. French Doggie Doo Doo. I knew I had to examine my left shoe…my new canvas sneakers with nice treads for walking, very nice and clean shoes … I lifted to look…it was worse than the other. Just at that moment, my darling husband stands before me with my Nutella crêpe.
Jul 27th, 2009, 06:43 PM
#27
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I have traveled under a shining star when in Paris, honestly I have never seen dog poop, and this last time, many people with dogs were carrying plastic bags and picking it up. You poor dear, and lord to get that stuff out of all the little pits and valleys in sneaker...oh my soul. What a welcome, ya think?
Jul 27th, 2009, 07:25 PM
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So what’s a girl to do with a crêpe in one hand and Doo on the shoes? It was a rather depressing and disgusting sight. Of course DH thought it was rather funny, but only for a brief moment since I threatened to give him a swift kick in the behind. So I shuffled along while eating – I wasn’t going to throw away that crêpe as it nearly cost me 5 bucks! I shuffled as much as I could without drawing attention to myself, lol. I shuffled myself all the way to the Monoprix which was only 1 block in the other direction from the hotel! Imagine that. However, no amount of shuffling was going to help clean in between the treads – that would be up to me, ugh. So after DH buys the water, we head back to our room where I carefully remove my shoes before entering. 
The “plan” for this day was to shower and then take a long nap. This has become our standard procedure on overseas trips – we no longer handle the time change with grace. Later in the evening we were heading to Versailles for the evening Spectacle (fireworks and light show). It was going to be a very late night with the last train returning to the city near 1 a.m. This was all running through my head as I faced the task of cleaning my sneakers.
I should have known at this point that DH was not entirely himself. Usually he would be the one to volunteer for such cleaning duty – not that something like this occurs on a regular basis, but he’s always the one to handle such jobs. I stood in the bathroom gagging (sorry, but if I had to experience it, you have to as well) using as much paper as possible.
Then I had to break into the supply of Q-Tips – thank goodness for ear cleaners, lol. I chiseled away… … …an hour and a half later until the Q-Tips were all gone and I could do no more. For the love of dogs! I rung the front desk and exclaimed, “Bon Jour! Parlez-vous anglais? I stepped in dog poo and I need something to help clean my shoes, merci beaucoup!” A little while later a nice young man came to the door. I expected him to bring a cleaner and paper so that I could remove what remained. He spoke English and while chuckling asked, “Was it your left foot?” I was curious as to where he was going with this line of questioning but I replied, “Oui!” “Ah” he said, “That means good luck!” I smiled and asked, “Well, it’s on the right shoe as well. What does <i>that</i> mean?” He laughed and so did I. I wasn’t expecting this, but he took my shoes away to finish the job. I was relieved and when he returned, I tipped him and offered to adopt him.
With that my DH and I showered and crawled into bed for a well-deserved rest…for Day One was not over…
The “plan” for this day was to shower and then take a long nap. This has become our standard procedure on overseas trips – we no longer handle the time change with grace. Later in the evening we were heading to Versailles for the evening Spectacle (fireworks and light show). It was going to be a very late night with the last train returning to the city near 1 a.m. This was all running through my head as I faced the task of cleaning my sneakers.
I should have known at this point that DH was not entirely himself. Usually he would be the one to volunteer for such cleaning duty – not that something like this occurs on a regular basis, but he’s always the one to handle such jobs. I stood in the bathroom gagging (sorry, but if I had to experience it, you have to as well) using as much paper as possible.
Then I had to break into the supply of Q-Tips – thank goodness for ear cleaners, lol. I chiseled away… … …an hour and a half later until the Q-Tips were all gone and I could do no more. For the love of dogs! I rung the front desk and exclaimed, “Bon Jour! Parlez-vous anglais? I stepped in dog poo and I need something to help clean my shoes, merci beaucoup!” A little while later a nice young man came to the door. I expected him to bring a cleaner and paper so that I could remove what remained. He spoke English and while chuckling asked, “Was it your left foot?” I was curious as to where he was going with this line of questioning but I replied, “Oui!” “Ah” he said, “That means good luck!” I smiled and asked, “Well, it’s on the right shoe as well. What does <i>that</i> mean?” He laughed and so did I. I wasn’t expecting this, but he took my shoes away to finish the job. I was relieved and when he returned, I tipped him and offered to adopt him. With that my DH and I showered and crawled into bed for a well-deserved rest…for Day One was not over…
, yes it certainly is, yk!
Jul 27th, 2009, 07:47 PM
#31
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A charming young Frenchman arriving to take your disgusting shoes away to be cleaned, pricless!
I would have been gagging too seetheworld. I assume the crepe was tasty?
But honestly, what is it regarding our dear Fodorites visiting Paris this summer? Well it makes for interesting trip reports.
I would have been gagging too seetheworld. I assume the crepe was tasty?
But honestly, what is it regarding our dear Fodorites visiting Paris this summer? Well it makes for interesting trip reports.
Jul 28th, 2009, 04:58 AM
#33
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I am so glad to read that many of you have never encountered the doggie doo! My oldest son, who has been to Paris for both business and pleasure, warned me of the potential for stepping in it. Later that day I called to let him know we arrived in Paris and told him what had happened. I can still hear his laugh in my head, lol. Anyway, after that moment, I was on doo alert and I did see it other places but I never stepped in it again - nor did DH. 
Jul 28th, 2009, 12:15 PM
#36
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<b><i>Day One Continued...</b></i>
Our nap was not as restful or as long as we expected. After unpacking a few items and organizing our materials for our trip to Versailles, we headed out to find a place for supper.
Exiting our hotel on Avenue des Champs Elysées wasn’t easy. The Avenue was crowded, except for the early morning. If turning right, it wasn’t much of a problem moving with the flow, but heading left, in the direction of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro, it was downright uncomfortable trying to cross into traffic. Of course the cafes and eateries lining the sidewalk contributed to the congestion, but that is Paris and it is very interesting!
The concierge highlighted the directions of the route we needed to follow in order to get to the RER ticket booth and station which were located across the l’Alma bridge. We know our limitations, when we are dead tired, not to wander off too far until we familiarize ourselves with the area. So we started looking for a place to eat that was along our walk. There are so many choices but we settle for a place called Café Victoria (64 Rue Pierre Charron). On the card it also said “Brasserie Restaurant”, so your guess is as good as mine as to what it actually was! We chose to sit indoors (we are non-smokers) and were seated near the window which allowed us to watch the world go by. DH watches with interest and is impressed with the parking skills of the Parisians but also notices many dents and dings in high end cars – stuff like that really makes his day.
For a starter, we ordered the spring rolls – I still wonder what they would have tasted like, but more on that in a bit. We order water for the table. I will tell you right now we always ordered water, either still or sparkling (I have a sensitive tummy when I travel and whether there is a connection or not, I try and stay away from tap). In most places, the water prices were fair, unless eating near the Louvre, but more on that later as well. In any case, DH orders the lamb steak with au gratin potatoes and I order grilled chicken with risotto.
We have a lot of time before needing to head to Versailles, so we are not in any hurray, but we wait. We see others, seated after us, receive their food before us. We wait a long time for those spring rolls. Our server, a very personable young man, finally comes over to tell us that it takes a long time to make the spring rolls. I say to DH, “Perhaps he forgot to put the order in” and we continue to wait. Finally, he returns…with our entrees! I kindly tell him to be sure to remove the spring rolls from our bill. All in all, the food was tasty, albeit slightly cool. We were full and not wanting dessert, we tried very hard to make eye contact with the young man to retrieve our bill. Again, I kindly reminded him to remove the spring rolls from the bill. He did not. DH and I were both now getting slightly irritated as we continued to try and get his attention when finally DH proceeded to the bar area (where he was hanging out) to speak with him to settle the bill. Our meal, minus the spring rolls, cost 36 Euros. Thankfully, none of our other dining experiences were like this one.
We headed to get our train tickets. There was a long line at the ticket dispenser as people were trying to figure out how to use it. I noticed a small box trailer and went inside and found that I could buy the tickets there. I said my “please” and “thank you”, held up two fingers to indicate, “deux”, did a little circle with a finger to indicate round-trip and that was that (I speak well with my hands). I don't remember how much the train tickets cost. We made our way down to the train. It all went so smoothly.
I learned about the Spectacle at Versailles http://tinyurl.com/nqgd8x from Seamus’ <i>Paris June 2009</i> thread. Even though it would be a very late night, DH and I were both excited about attending. Our ticket were 20 Euros a piece plus 3 Euro service. Once the train arrived, we followed the throngs of people to Versailles which would later be our downfall. I headed the cobblestone warning from other Fodorites and wore sensible shoes – my de-dooed sneakers, lol. I purchased our tickets online but for some reason wasn’t able to print them out so I only had the reservation receipt. When we arrived, we headed to the entrance located on the left – don’t do that! If you have an online reservation tickets must be picked up inside, which is on the right.
The gardens were lovely, although I will say that my attention span was limited due to fatigue. There were bubbles and fire and fountains and lights. The weather had turned damp and luckily we both brought jacket along for the evening. I wasn’t exactly sure when the fireworks would begin, but did notice that many, many people were already seated on the steps, so we followed suit thinking the fireworks might begin shortly. We sat a very long time. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have done that and kept walking and exploring the gardens. It started to rain. That was not good. No one dared to put up an umbrella because the few people who attempted to were quickly heckled, including the couple who sat directly in front of us – we did not want that to be us, believe you me. I could tell DH was very uncomfortable and his night cough was a little more pronounced. By 11:00 p.m. it began to rain harder and I was quite wet and DH pulled out his little hoodie and by this time, people had begun chanting. Finally at 11:10 the fireworks began and they were lovely. We were wet – did I mention that already?
When the fireworks were over, everyone headed out in one big heard. Once we got to the cobblestone, it was fairly dark and hard to see and the little mag flashlight that my husband packed was helpful so that I wouldn’t misstep. It is amazing how quickly a large crowd of people can quickly disperse. All of a sudden we found ourselves walking without direction. Where did the crowds go?
It occurred to us that we didn’t pay particular attention to our surroundings when we arrived – depended on the crowd off the train to lead the way. Now we were worried we would not make the 11:50 train back to Paris. Even with our map, we were so turned around and the darkness did not help matters. We asked a group of people and they sent us in a direction but still to no avail. At this point it was well past the train departure time and DH was getting very nervous. The last train scheduled out was quickly approaching...
Our nap was not as restful or as long as we expected. After unpacking a few items and organizing our materials for our trip to Versailles, we headed out to find a place for supper.
Exiting our hotel on Avenue des Champs Elysées wasn’t easy. The Avenue was crowded, except for the early morning. If turning right, it wasn’t much of a problem moving with the flow, but heading left, in the direction of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Metro, it was downright uncomfortable trying to cross into traffic. Of course the cafes and eateries lining the sidewalk contributed to the congestion, but that is Paris and it is very interesting!
The concierge highlighted the directions of the route we needed to follow in order to get to the RER ticket booth and station which were located across the l’Alma bridge. We know our limitations, when we are dead tired, not to wander off too far until we familiarize ourselves with the area. So we started looking for a place to eat that was along our walk. There are so many choices but we settle for a place called Café Victoria (64 Rue Pierre Charron). On the card it also said “Brasserie Restaurant”, so your guess is as good as mine as to what it actually was! We chose to sit indoors (we are non-smokers) and were seated near the window which allowed us to watch the world go by. DH watches with interest and is impressed with the parking skills of the Parisians but also notices many dents and dings in high end cars – stuff like that really makes his day.
For a starter, we ordered the spring rolls – I still wonder what they would have tasted like, but more on that in a bit. We order water for the table. I will tell you right now we always ordered water, either still or sparkling (I have a sensitive tummy when I travel and whether there is a connection or not, I try and stay away from tap). In most places, the water prices were fair, unless eating near the Louvre, but more on that later as well. In any case, DH orders the lamb steak with au gratin potatoes and I order grilled chicken with risotto.
We have a lot of time before needing to head to Versailles, so we are not in any hurray, but we wait. We see others, seated after us, receive their food before us. We wait a long time for those spring rolls. Our server, a very personable young man, finally comes over to tell us that it takes a long time to make the spring rolls. I say to DH, “Perhaps he forgot to put the order in” and we continue to wait. Finally, he returns…with our entrees! I kindly tell him to be sure to remove the spring rolls from our bill. All in all, the food was tasty, albeit slightly cool. We were full and not wanting dessert, we tried very hard to make eye contact with the young man to retrieve our bill. Again, I kindly reminded him to remove the spring rolls from the bill. He did not. DH and I were both now getting slightly irritated as we continued to try and get his attention when finally DH proceeded to the bar area (where he was hanging out) to speak with him to settle the bill. Our meal, minus the spring rolls, cost 36 Euros. Thankfully, none of our other dining experiences were like this one.
We headed to get our train tickets. There was a long line at the ticket dispenser as people were trying to figure out how to use it. I noticed a small box trailer and went inside and found that I could buy the tickets there. I said my “please” and “thank you”, held up two fingers to indicate, “deux”, did a little circle with a finger to indicate round-trip and that was that (I speak well with my hands). I don't remember how much the train tickets cost. We made our way down to the train. It all went so smoothly.
I learned about the Spectacle at Versailles http://tinyurl.com/nqgd8x from Seamus’ <i>Paris June 2009</i> thread. Even though it would be a very late night, DH and I were both excited about attending. Our ticket were 20 Euros a piece plus 3 Euro service. Once the train arrived, we followed the throngs of people to Versailles which would later be our downfall. I headed the cobblestone warning from other Fodorites and wore sensible shoes – my de-dooed sneakers, lol. I purchased our tickets online but for some reason wasn’t able to print them out so I only had the reservation receipt. When we arrived, we headed to the entrance located on the left – don’t do that! If you have an online reservation tickets must be picked up inside, which is on the right.
The gardens were lovely, although I will say that my attention span was limited due to fatigue. There were bubbles and fire and fountains and lights. The weather had turned damp and luckily we both brought jacket along for the evening. I wasn’t exactly sure when the fireworks would begin, but did notice that many, many people were already seated on the steps, so we followed suit thinking the fireworks might begin shortly. We sat a very long time. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have done that and kept walking and exploring the gardens. It started to rain. That was not good. No one dared to put up an umbrella because the few people who attempted to were quickly heckled, including the couple who sat directly in front of us – we did not want that to be us, believe you me. I could tell DH was very uncomfortable and his night cough was a little more pronounced. By 11:00 p.m. it began to rain harder and I was quite wet and DH pulled out his little hoodie and by this time, people had begun chanting. Finally at 11:10 the fireworks began and they were lovely. We were wet – did I mention that already?
When the fireworks were over, everyone headed out in one big heard. Once we got to the cobblestone, it was fairly dark and hard to see and the little mag flashlight that my husband packed was helpful so that I wouldn’t misstep. It is amazing how quickly a large crowd of people can quickly disperse. All of a sudden we found ourselves walking without direction. Where did the crowds go?
It occurred to us that we didn’t pay particular attention to our surroundings when we arrived – depended on the crowd off the train to lead the way. Now we were worried we would not make the 11:50 train back to Paris. Even with our map, we were so turned around and the darkness did not help matters. We asked a group of people and they sent us in a direction but still to no avail. At this point it was well past the train departure time and DH was getting very nervous. The last train scheduled out was quickly approaching...
Jul 28th, 2009, 12:29 PM
#37
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STW--I am so glad you were careful with your footing at Versaille
We saw more doo on this last trip than our previous ones. I was careful, but it got DD once.
KTtravel--I fell down some stairs at Versaille and seriously injured my knee. I am still going to physical therapy and have a couple more weeks to convince the ortho that I don't need surgery. Hopefully all the Paris mishaps will be over by the time you go
We saw more doo on this last trip than our previous ones. I was careful, but it got DD once.KTtravel--I fell down some stairs at Versaille and seriously injured my knee. I am still going to physical therapy and have a couple more weeks to convince the ortho that I don't need surgery. Hopefully all the Paris mishaps will be over by the time you go
