Just returned from Paris - FANTASTIC!!
 

Just a note to all you nervous nellies out there who are wondering IF you should travel to Paris - YES YES YES YES YES!! We were only there for 4 days (arrived home last night) and it was the most phenomenal trip of our lives. I felt NO anti-American sentiment whatsoever and I must say - I cannot understand the US attitude at all. People were friendly and helpful (my French leaves a lot to be desired, but I can make myself understood and comprehend elementary responses).<BR><BR>After being there and the hospitality we received, I am almost embarrassed that the US has such sentiment towards the French. It was fabulous and we cannot wait to return!<BR><BR>

Thank you SO much for the post! We leave on Monday and we have been nervous because of all the hype. I'm so glad to know that it's just that and nothing more! It will be our first trip to Paris and now I can't wait!!

Just got back myself from a one week stay and share your enthusiasm. The weather has been unseasonably dry and that added to our enjoyment of the city. The people we came across were as as friendly and gracious as usual.

It's great to hear from someone who just returned from Paris. I think our news media is to blame for the way Americans feel about the French. They show the war demonstrators attacking an &quot;American symbol&quot; McDonald's and give everyone the idea that the French hate the Americans. Without hearing from someone who has actually been in France during this time, no one knows what to believe. We spent time in Paris last year and were treated just fine. Thanks for letting us travelers know the truth!

Ditto, we just returned from a week stay, it could not have been better.

Re: &quot;I cannot understand the US attitude at all.&quot;<BR><BR>Well, my take is that attitude of many people in the US holds all French people responsible for the policies of Jacques Chirac. <BR><BR>And yet Americans with this attitude would undoubtedly be offended if French people held all Americans responsible for the policies of George W. Bush.

Thank you for your post, and for the replies of others who have been to Paris very recently. I am leaving on Friday for my first visit, and was a little concerned about our reception. Now I'm just looking forward to a very positive experience!!

I leave tomorrow for France.<BR><BR>Just wish I could get my family and friends to worry a little less about it.<BR><BR> Keith

Keith,<BR>Be an American Ambassador and represent us well! I loved Paris and would be eternally sad if we could never go back and feel as welcome as we did last year.

Keith - my family FREAKED out - there's nothing you can do to assuage their fears except go, have a wonderful time, experience all that Paris and her wonderful people have to offer. Then make your family insanely jealous with your travel incredible report - hehehehe!

&quot;I am almost embarrassed that the US has such sentiment towards the French.&quot;<BR><BR>***Oh heavens, wlongman, go whole hog and be completely embarrassed!<BR><BR>&quot;I think our news media is to blame for the way Americans feel about the French.&quot;<BR><BR>***Wouldn't have anything to do with Chirac and their policies, now would it?<BR><BR>This is just too precious..too many Euro wannabes willing to blame all this on...their own country, the press and of course George Bush!<BR><BR>Sad but expected!<BR><BR>US

Thanks, wlongman. I leave for Paris in less than 3 weeks &amp; my mother was just asking me today if I still intended to go. I had to comfort her a great deal to let her know I'd be okay, that I'm not going over there to get into trouble. She told me that she just wished I'd chosen to go somewhere else and I replied with &quot;Where else would I go to see the things I'll see &amp; do &amp; eat in Paris?&quot;. And she let it go at that. : ) Thank you, I'll pass on what you've said to her. Am supposed to call her back tonight. THANKS THANKS THANKS

Capo:<BR>&quot;Well, my take is that attitude of many people in the US holds all French people responsible for the policies of Jacques Chirac.&quot;<BR><BR>No, not me, it was the actions of the people in the streets that I saw. Now, I know the media could have been focusing on the anti-American protesters, just like they focus on the anti-war protesters here, so it could have been blown out of proportion. <BR>

We just got back on Saturday from a week in Rome. When we arrived we saw many rainbow striped flags for &quot;pace&quot; hanging out of windows. <BR><BR>Last Thursday we went to Ostia Antica. When we returned we realized there had been a large peace demonstration near the Colosseum where we were staying. Interestingly when we were in Rome a year ago we ran into a HUGE anti-American/anti-Israel demonstration at Piazza Navonna. We never found out what the specific rationale for that was.<BR><BR>Anyhow, we experienced absolutely no anti-American sentiments either. When we arrived home we discovered that nearly everyone was worried about us (understandable).

Wonderful news, I am so happy to hear that! Of course, once again, the infamous media is responsible for throwing things way out of perspective and creating fear and apprehension on both sides of the Atlantic. If you are nice and decent, you will be treated that way, regardless of what country you are in. I am going in June and can't wait!

Bon voyage !