Buffalo -

I have to add that a few times when a stodgy Swiss person was giving me the evil eye for some transgression I had unknowingly committed I also stuck my tongue out. I am 50 years old and should not be proud of this, but, hey, it was just to get them to lighten up.

Also, another true confession, on our last dinner in Zurich we ate at a somewhat formal restaurant we had been to many, many times. The waiter was being very, very chintzy with the wine pouring which is typical there and given the price per glass beyond ridiculous. Since it was our last time there we actually told him we thought his glass a little small. He walked away and left the huge bottle on our table and when he walked away I lifted it and gave my husband a huge fill up which he gulped down before the waiter returned. We still smile over this.

You have to know that we are otherwise well-known as Mr. and Mrs. Rule Following Gruezi so this was pretty rebellious for us. (And provided many future laughs of course.)

gruezi

Very nice report! Thank you for sharing. I take taxis fairly often when on vacation in cities--whenever my feet get too tired or it's very cold and I'm headed out to dinner or if I'm traveling with older people or just because I want to. I commute to work by both bus <i>and</i> underground every day at home, so buses and metro do not scream "holiday" to me.

When's the next trip and will it be to Paris again?

4totravel - Paris afterglow...I like that!

gruezi - I read you trip report and sounds like you had a relaxing, much needed get away. Oh, and loved your stories. Glad to know I'm not alone on the sticking out of the tongue thing .

Leely2 - unless I win the lottery, my next trip won't be until summer when we go to Cape Cod. I'm working on something for the spring, but right now I have tuition to think about for the kid. But I vow to return to Paris someday!!!

BuffaloGirl, put the tuition on a credit card (paying it off immediately, of course) which earns you something towards air fare. We put everything we can on a Schwab credit card which earns us 2%....we usually get 1 to 1 1/2 tickets per year from this....doesn't cost us a penny to do this and we can travel more frugally in Paris than almost anywhere in the US.

Judy - we have a usairways mastercard that I try to use as often as possible. We have a lot of miles saved up. My husband would like to go to Italy in a few years when our son graduates, so I'm saving them for that trip! All I need between now and summer is a beach vacation to get away from the Buffalo winter.

You know, I have to say that we didn't find Paris to be a real expensive city. Of course, if you want it to be expensive and can afford it, it can be. But for the average person, we found it to be very affordable. Who knew?

Buffalogirl...i have had my ring, box and receipt since 2002.

Fun, as always...don't think I can actually pull off the sticking out of my tongue, but it's hilarious! I have always found the French to be fabulous and have noticed that even those that start off a little bit "stand offish" will warm up when you are trying to speak their language.

Will also be there over Christmas so may I can catch travelbound 44 sticking their tongue out!

I also totally get that desire to pick up something as a great travel memory and the joy of saying "oh, I got in Paris or where ever"!

BuffaloGirl, you never had a pain au chocolate before? Try Wegmans the next time your their. OMG, it's so good. I so enjoyed your TR, thanks for sharing.

Wegman's - seriously? No, I never had one before going to Paris.

I avoid shopping at Wegman's because there are too many temptations, I spend too much money and take way too much time there. Now I have no choice but to stop in. There's one right around the corner from work. I'll have to stop and pick one up for breakfast.

Thanks landineen!

acacia67 - I didn't keep my earring receipt, but I did keep one from a restaurant. It's on my bulletin board over my desk to remind me of the fun lunch we had!

denisea - I can't wait to hear about your trip over Christmas!

Great report BuffaloGirl! I loved your enthusiasm and sense of humor..I also take taxis and when we were in Paris last May if I felt I walked way to much I just found a taxi home. I don't like being underground! Taxis also gave me another look at Paris and the prices were justified by being called a "tour". (Except one day when I was "lost" and had so much fun trying to figure out how to get to the apt.- took hours and I loved it)

By the way we downsized seven years ago when small homes were not "fashionable" and never looked back. Made sure we had a big front porch and we entertain in good weather on the porch. Showing off the "I got it in Paris" (or wherever) item is much more fun than a media room.

I did not think of selling my stuff on ebay though - just gave it away. That could have been one more trip!

Really fun report; thanks for sharing,

Thanks moneyburns. My ebay sales paid for my plane ticket. I have just a few things left to sell....probably won't get me to Paris but maybe a weekend somewhere or a ticket to Florida.

I've always lived in old houses and have always had a front porch. Now I'm looking at small ranches and told my husband he'll have to build me one because ranches don't usually have them. I always entertain on my front porch too.

Will do my best on the TR but I don't think I have your wit!
I leave three weeks from now...can't get here fast enough!

Oh, BG: You have a delightfully infectious bubbliness about you. It was a fun trip report and it was good to come across it first thing upon my "return" after a two-plus week forced hiatus from Fodors.

We're still hoping that we can swing our Paris trip next summer if the college tuitions don't keep going up and those airfares manage to come down!

denisea - no wit needed. Just come back and tell me about Paris during Christmas, OK?

A FEW CLOSING NOTES:

As mentioned, our apartment was on Rue Dauphine in the 6th, just a short walk from the 5th. Its the street that runs into the Pont Neuf bridge. We were closer to Rue de Buci. It was a great area with shops, restaurants, etc. Also within walking distance of Blvd. Saint Michele. There was even a little grocery store (if you could find it) that sold some basics and wine . A great central location. BUT....on Friday night it was party central. It was very loud, lots of breaking glass and debauchery! It certainly wouldn't keep me away, but it's something to be aware of if you are a light sleeper.

I don't exactly remember day 3, but I'm almost positive that what I claimed to do on days 1 and 2 actually was done in three days (I might be forgetting a few things - it was overwhelming). And I now question why I didn't fit in a few more of the famous sights. I think I spent the first three days just getting to know my way around and taking it all in. My friend couldn't believe that I didn't immediately drag her to the tower or the arch.

We had an entire week, and could have clearly seen more sights. But I rather enjoyed just walking around and not cramming absolutely everything in. We certainly didn't get to any off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, and the neighborhoods we did walk around weren't exactly non touristy, but I'd venture to say that not everyone visits and gets lost in some of the places we did on the first trip.

Whether you are Catholic or not, religious or not, don't overlook the beauty of the churches. We happened upon a mass in French and stopped and joined in. It was a nice, peaceful break from everything. And I can't even begin to remember the names of all the churches we walked into. All just remarkably beautiful. And peaceful.

On the plane ride home, we had a nice conversation with someone in the seat next to us. We told him about the day we went to Versailles, then Invalides, and how we got lost for three hours trying to get back home. He said something to the effect of "Do you know how much time you lost?" I told him that we didn't lose a minute. We might not have known where we were going, and were tired, and even agitated a little. But we were lost in Paris after all. So we didn't lose any time. What does it matter if we were touring the old opera house or walking random streets with no sense of direction? It was all good.

Don't worry about the food. We were on a budget, and neither of us really were all that adventurous with meals. Actually, we weren't adventurous at all. I would have tried a few things but walked away from a few restaurants as my friend couldn't find anything to please her. But no matter....I still found even the average dishes to be very good. When someone serves me, and I don't have to cook or clean up, I consider it a good meal.

The Marais district has great shops - nice stuff and not expensive.

The deportation memorial (behind Notre Dame) is worth a stop if you are in the vicinity.

Buy a scarf or two! I'm not a scarf person. I don't even like purses all that much. Forget about belts. Not gonna happen. I am NOT an accessory person (unless it's jewelry). But I left Paris with a scarf, and I now wear it all the time. I was Christmas shopping in Macy's in the mall a few days ago, and immediately went to the scarf department. And I regret not buying a purse in Paris. There was a shop just below our apartment.

See what Paris does to you?

Thank you all for your kind remarks. I put off writing this trip report because it seemed so overwhelming, but I'm glad I finally broke down and did it. It felt good to express my excitement. I'm pretty sure my family and friends are sick of listening to me.

I look forward to your upcoming trip reports. And don't be afraid to say WOW while you're there. Even if it's not your first trip. Just say it!!!

I think WOW and a few DAMN will be said on my end of things, just from the shock of how did i miss that the last time i was here..lol

Buffalogirl,

Thanks again; I enjoyed your trip report from beginning to end. I totally relate to being glad to express my excitement about an eye-opening vacation on Fodor's in the form of a trip report (where we know the audience is interested in travel, which is sometimes not the case with family & friends). Inspired by you, I'll make sure to say a few WOWs for this January's trip to the Bahamas .

Best wishes, Daniel

I enjoyed your report, BuffaloGirl! It sounds like you had a wonderful time and had a great mix of seeing the sights and just walking and soaking up Paris. I hope you get back again soon!

DH and I spent a few days in Paris this summer as part of a larger trip (our second time there together, and we had each been once before we knew each other) and we were just as excited to be there as we were the first time! There is just something magical about being in Paris!

I couldn't agree more Florida1 .

My husband doesn't want to go to Paris. So I went without him. Hmph.

Loved, loved, loved your trip report BuffaloGirl. Paris is high on my list. I want to go next spring, but I think I may be going to Disney World with the grandson first although I would rather be in Paris. I know...EuroDisney!! yeah,right. Anyway, I got tons of great ideas from you, I will be a budget traveler too but who cares. I spent 2 weeks in Italy 2 years ago on a budget and it was a fabulous time. Right now I am in love with Italy like you are in love with Paris. Hard to believe there are such places in the world!! Love how you downsized to help pay for your trip. I should have replaced family room furniture a few years back but Italy was calling, now Paris (and DisneyWorld ha,ha). Hope you never lose your enthusiasm for traveling, your report was a joy to read.

Dan - WOW yourself away in the Bahamas. Have a wonderful trip.

barbrn - Paris is wonderful, but enjoy Disney with your grandson. That will be a great vacation with wonderful memories for you both. Thank you for your kind words.