maitaitom

You know, with a million mice running around, one was bound to find me on one of our trips. Tracy and I really didn't want the little guy to die (we feed the squirrels, so that says something about us…what I don't know). Thierry was a great guy, and I would not hesitate to rent an apartment from him again, although it would't be this particular one. I agonized about even putting this in, but I felt I needed to be truthful.

By the way, at the great price the apartment goes for and it's very good location, if I was a younger traveler on a strict, strict budget, this would be quite a find, especially at what the euro is going for today.

Stay tuned…

yestravel

Great TR, as always. Would you mind a link to the apt. I have looked at his apts and been tempted many times.

nola77382

Great stuff, maitaitom. I look forward to more--I need to know what happens next!

maitaitom

"-I need to know what happens next!"

me too!

YT. You can just google ParisBestLodge. KT travel (who we meet next week in the TR) said they had a great apartment that overlooked Notre Dame. All the people we met at Thierry's wine hour loved their places. I think i just picked the cheapest one, and had I not gotten ill the following week, we would have spent little time there as we do in most every hotel or apartment we travel (unless they have a rooftop to sip wine like we'll get at a couple of places in Spain). It also wasn't his fault I couldn't sleep the following week. That was a "me" health problem.

Micheline

This is just so good Maitaitom! I'm just dreading when you get ill though.

Grandma

I really like these reports but am not looking forward to the problem….even tho everything seems to be alright now.
In the meantime… a mouse story. I live in Manhattan… one block up the street from Gracie Mansion (where the mayor lives.) A few years ago there was major construction in the nabe and all the little critters were displaced. One morning I was sitting in my kitchen on the 13th floor drinking coffee and reading the paper when a little mouse emerged from under the refrigerator and headed straight for the cat's food. I guess I screamed loud enough that he retreated. Super came up and put down some traps. Then… one of the nicest guys on our staff came up to check them. As he reached under the fridge he said.. oh please… don't let anything be there. -
Fortunately, all the Mickey's in my apt. got away.

kerouac

It is absolutely true that when there is construction in the neighbourhood, all of the surrounding buildings are instantly invaded by mice. It is unimaginable how many mice must be attached to each building in Paris. After more than 20 years in this building, I have had to wage battle about 3 times.

Another thing that brings the mice out is when there is a hot dry spell in the summer.

swandav2000

As always, I'm loving your report, MTTom! Of course, I love your writing style -- and so appreciate the effort you make to be entertaining for all of us! But I also really appreciate all the tips and information for my own upcoming trip to Paris.

I have to say, though, that I have another reason to follow this report -- I am a little worried about what happened to your health while you were there. I know you are back at work now, so I'm happy that you are all recovered, but I am concerned about what happened.

Thanks again!!

s

KTtravel

maitaitom, I am thoroughly enjoying your report. We, too, loved dining at Les Papilles which I think we did after we saw you. I am so glad you are finally feeling better!
Bonjour to Tracy!

latedaytraveler

Hi Tom,

Loved the close up detail of the columns in Saint Chapelle, especially the red one with the castle motif.

Thanks for the glimpse of the Pompidou - didn't quite make it there and now I know why - but I liked the whimsical Chagall.
Fabulous read - the pics really add to the adventure. Merci...

TPAYT

Still on board and enjoying every day anticipating some difficult days ahead but relieved in the knowledge that you are home & safe.

All the mouse stories---here's mine, sort of. When walking across the Notre Dame Plaza late at night in June '14 with our GD we heard lots of screaming from a group of teen girls just ahead of us as a huge rat ran out of the bushes between them & us. A rat by the river? Who would have thought!

stokebailey

As annhig says, the foreshadowing is giving us that feeling of foreboding.

In the past I've looked hard online at Bourg-Tibourg apartment, so maybe all my scrutinizing wore it out. When the landlord shows six photos of the bathroom but none of the view, it tends to mean there isn't much of a view. Not by itself a fatal flaw, of course. For me a deal breaker is any drawing or statue of the Eiffel Tower, or large images of Marilyn Monroe or Audrey Hepburn.

cigalechanta

Still chuckling at spouse and mouse.

2010

I continue to enjoy reading your TR which sounds to date like a 'normal' holiday - not unlike our Paris stay with the exception of the appearance of a mouse in our apartment. Although a few years ago when we were returning to our Paris Best Lodge apartment on the Left Bank after dinner, I was startled by a rather large 'something' that galloped across the road in front of us. My husband casually informed me that it was a rat! At least, it ran in the opposite direction to us! Holding my breath for the part of your story that has been foreshadowed to come.

Have to agree with your assessment of Le Trumilou. We tried not to be put off by the pinball machine we passed at the front door! But our meal was fine, the service was good and the people congenial.

flpab

oh my tpayt, I hate rats and not sure if I could have handled the mouse. I know they are everywhere but it is my one phobia. I can deal with spiders and snakes. I knew they were out of control in parts of Paris. Good old river rats.

marigross

Hi Tom et al! Looking forward to more of your fab trip reports.

kerouac

Rats (and mice) always run away from you, not towards you, except in horror movies.

sugarmaple

The first time I ever saw a rat was this October on the cobbles outside St. Julien de Pauvre. It was early in the morning, not many folks about, and the creature just sat on the cobbles.

It looked young and very exposed, and dare I say it, a little vulnerable, if I may anthropomorphise a rat! It must have been ill. I realize how ridiculous it sounds, but I actually felt sorry for it, little Ratatouille.

Doubtless if my city was overrun with the creatures, I would have had a differnt reaction, and acted to hasten the inevitable.

Funny what stays with us.

Waiting for the next instalment, albeit with trepidation...

maitaitom

"I realize how ridiculous it sounds, but I actually felt sorry for it, little Ratatouille."

We sort of felt the same way. At first I'll admit it was an annoyance, but then each time we came back, we hoped it wasn't in the trap. He never bothered us, but would come out from under the couch every once in a while to say hi and ask if we had any leftover croissants. No big deal. Last year we had a fly infestation at our house. Now that was a big deal.

Grandma

Maitai… I wonder if we suffer under the same astrological sign ? We, too, once had a fly
infestation… in an apt in NYC. One day I killed almost 80 flies. I forget how I finally got rid of them… and don't know where it came from. But I suspect the cat's box had something to do with it. Ugh…. far worse than a little mousy running around.